Jane and the Dragon [Paperback]

Martin Baynton (Author)

Book Description

Jane lives in the royal court and longs to be a knight. No one takes her dreams seriously, except the court jester, who gives Jane his secret suit of armour to practice with. When a dragon comes and steals away the prince, Jane is ready and willing to fight it. Will her dream ever come true?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3—Everyone laughs at Jane for wanting to be a knight, except the court jester, who loans her his small suit of armor, and she spends her days practicing knightly duties. When a dragon steals the prince, Jane sets out to rescue him. After a long, wearisome battle, they sit down and talk about what's expected of dragons (stealing the prince) and knights (being men). In the end, she turns an enemy into a friend, returns the prince to his parents, becomes a proper knight with Saturdays off to visit a friend, and dances with the jester at the royal ball. Bathed in a golden light, the whimsical illustrations for this original fairy tale cast a golden glow on Jane's aspirations and adventures. The watery blues and lavenders in the second book are equally fitting and as amusing, as the child and the dragon search for the king's magician, banished from the court because he cannot do a rain spell. Unfortunately, the magician discovers that the missing ingredient is anger, nearly destroying a farming community and Jane's dragon. When the creature is struck by blue lightning and falls into the water below, the youngster saves him and shows the repentant sorcerer that being sorry is only the beginning. Baynton reverses the traditional role of girls in fairy tales and redeems their adversaries. These kindly stories, also an animated TV series, are solid choices.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Martin Baynton has written and illustrated several books for children. His Jane and the Dragon books inspired an animated TV series first developed in Canada and now airing in the U.S. on ABC, iNetwork, and Telemundo. Martin Baynton also writes for the stage, television, film, and radio. Born in the U.K., he lives in New Zealand. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 25 pages
• Publisher: Walker Childrens Paperbacks (November 6, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0744578108
• ISBN-13: 978-0744578102
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,523,582 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect fairytale, July 14, 2007

By 

Bookphile (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Jane and the Dragon (Paperback)

As the mother of a young daughter, I am always aware of how hard I must work to ensure that she sees herself as a person and not an object. I absolutely love how this book turns convention upside down and how Jane is true to herself even when everyone else--her parents included--is trying to tell her to conform. This book served as an excellent introduction to a brief discussion with my daughter as to how she can be anything she wants to be, no matter what others tell her.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Superb, October 21, 2004

By 

Joanne Voisin (Waterloo, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jane and the Dragon (Paperback)

Jane is a wonderful role model for young girls and boys alike. Her spirit makes her soar well past what is "expected of her" and allows her to achieve her dreams. She helps others achieve their dreams as well. The book is well written. The illustrations are beautiful. This was my favourite bedtime book to read to my daughter. When she put away her children's books many years ago, this one stayed on her shelf. I recommend this book wholeheartedly.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jane and the Dragon, January 16, 2007

By 

M. Bailey (Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jane and the Dragon (Paperback)

This is such a special and unique book. It has a great message, especially for girls. It challenges stereotypes and convention in such a sweet way. Enjoy!