Brave Martha and the Dragon: A Tale of Provence (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?Every year in the French village of Tarascon, the people celebrate the bravery of a modest stranger who saved the town from "...a fiery dragon with smoldering eyes and smoke puffing from his nostrils." Roth relates the medieval tale that inspired the festival. Each night, despite the efforts of a variety of watchmen, farm animals disappear. Then the baker's wife fears that her son, Naughty Bernard, is gone as well, but he emerges from a chestnut tree minus the seat of his pants. He confirms that their thief is a dragon. A barefoot girl then comes to town and Bernard's family invites her to stay with them. That night Naughty Bernard follows her and spies on her while she fights the dragon. The next morning, Martha does not want to take credit for her bravery, but Bernard tells the townspeople all about the confrontation. Roth illustrates the story with her signature cut-paper collages. When the beast is finally revealed in all his ferocity, his body spreads over three wordless pages, with scales layered so convincingly that children will reach to lift them. Additions of Provencal floral fabrics give the artwork a timeless flavor appropriate to a folktale. The book's design is a perfect match for the pacing of the text. Pair this title with favorite dragon tales or with stories of incredible female valor. It would also prove interesting in a unit on "hidden" heroes or miracle workers in disguise. Vintage Roth.?Wendy Lukehart, Dauphin County Library, Harrisburg, PA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-8. The village of Tarascon in Provence, France, is losing its cows, geese, and other animals to a fearsome dragon that comes calling each night. After the dragon almost catches a boy, the town gets another visitor--a tall, thin, barefoot girl called Martha--who confronts the beast, listens to it boast about the animals it has eaten, scolds it ("Shame on you for your wickedness" ), and puts the long sash from her dress to good use. Collage has become an increasingly popular illustration medium for picture books, but Roth's work is particularly fine. Paper and cloth cut into jaunty shapes create pictures of great liveliness and charm. In a concluding note, the author mentions Tarascon's annual Fete de la Tarasque, which "celebrates a miracle said to have been performed by Saint Martha," whose story is told in the New Testament. Susan Dove Lempke

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1 edition (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803718527
• ISBN-13: 978-0803718524
• Product Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 20 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,550,809 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is wonderful tale for children about a forgotten Saint, December 11, 1997

By A Customer

This is a beautifully illustrated book for children. The story takes place in France, and is about St. Martha and how she tamed the terrible Tarasque, a very bad dragon. She brought him to the town of Nerluc, which he had terrorized for so long, and to her dismay, the villagers killed him. Then the citizens changed the name of their town to Tarascon in memory of the dragon.

4.0 out of 5 stars a dragon tale for children, September 28, 2005

By	waldorf_curric - See all my reviews

My daughter is nearly four and would be frightened by a dragon-taming story such as Saint George and the Dragon, with its detailed description of the fierce battles and the wounds incurred by each party. Brave Martha and the Dragon is based on a Provencal legend and has much more cheerful illustrations (collages of cut paper and fabric) as well as a happier overall tone. The dialogue is humorous and it's a fun book to read aloud. Of course, Martha tames the dragon, which is the basis of a celebratory festival in the French town of Tarascon each year. This would therefore be a good book to read when studying either French culture or dragon legends from around the world. Some of the collages are a little sloppy or confusing which is what prevents me from giving it 5 stars but this a good not-too-scary dragon book which even a young child would enjoy.