Custard the Dragon and the Wicked Knight (Library of Nations) [Paperback]

Ogden Nash (Author), Lynn Munsinger (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1999 | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Library of Nations

Ogden Nash rhymes a sequel to his popular children's adventure The Tale of Custard the Dragon. This time a wicked, wicked knight steals Belinda away, and once again it's up to Custard to rescue her. Lynn Munsinger is back as well with more witty illustrations that readers will recognize from the original.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4?As she did in The Tale of Custard the Dragon (Little, 1995), Munsinger brings Nash's appealing cowardly dragon to life through her lively ink-and-watercolor illustrations. Belinda is kidnapped by the notorious Sir Garagoyle and it is Custard, not the child's other reluctant pets, who sets out to rescue her. " 'Well,' said Custard, 'at least I'm in the mood/To be the toughest chicken that was ever chewed.' " Munsinger's deft portrayal of the poem's action and characters is a perfect match for Nash's clever wordplay. Her paintings, whether of the arrival of the evil Sir Garagoyle ("You could tell he was wicked, for he reeked of roguery") or of Custard's rescue flight ("With headlight eyes and spikes a-bristle/He pierced the air like a locomotive whistle") perfectly convey the poem's light tone. Thanks to Munsinger for introducing a new generation to Belinda and her "realio, trulio, little pet dragon."?Kathleen Whalin, Greenwich Country Day School, CT
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-8. As in The Tale of Custard the Dragon (1995), Munsinger illustrates Nash's nonsense poem with affectionate line-and-watercolor pictures that express the farce and the coziness of the story. Belinda's pet dragon is always getting flustered, so the other pets call him Cowardly Custard. Then, when Belinda gets captured by Sir Garagoyle, the shy dragon breaks down her prison gates with his "blowtorch breath," flattens the wicked knight, and flies Belinda home. Kids will love the first reversal--a knight can't always beat a dragon--but there's a further funny surprise: when Custard gets back home, he's scared by a rabbit in the kitchen. This time, he responds to the jeers with a nonchalant shrug: "I've learned what a nuisance bravery can be, / So a coward's life is the life for me." The rhymes are fun, and the pictures, with lots of purple and green, get the mock-heroic gestures and the cuddles of Belinda and her funny pet. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316599050
• ISBN-13: 978-0316599054
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #974,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Gotta love Nash, February 17, 2003

By 

Joan C. Frank (Silver Spring, MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Custard the Dragon and the Wicked Knight (Library of Nations) (Paperback)

This is the 1961 sequel to "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" which was written in 1936. Both books are beautifully and imaginatively illustrated by Lynn Munsinger in their 1995 & 1996 publications. As with other works by Nash, the verse and illustrations vie for significance and importance. His couplets are cute with his tongue in cheek. The words and images carry a slightly archaic, old fashioned overtone that is pleasing.

This is not the greatest children's book ever published. However, the nuanced language is intriguing. It has a meaningful moral - that true bravery is not always recognized or rewarded but is a wonderful thing nonetheless. As a result, the "Custard" books have a rather timeless appeal.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just as good as the first one, January 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Custard the Dragon and the Wicked Knight (Library of Nations) (Paperback)

For fans of "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" this book is a must. It has the same wit and love of language as the original. My son loves this one even more than the original as it has both knights and dragons. Its a pleasure to read and the illustrations are delightful.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Custard to the rescue..., March 8, 2001

By 

Sharon Knutson "chinamomma" (St. Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Custard the Dragon and the Wicked Knight (Library of Nations) (Paperback)

A fanciful turn about a damsel in distress named Belinda, being rescued from Sir Garagooyle, the wicked, wicked knight by her faithful friendly dragon, Custard. The rhymes are fun, how often do you find edelweiss used in rhymes! The pictures are just right, my 4 year old loves Custard. We received this book as a gift and were delighted in it.