English Dragons (Dragons Day 6)

European dragons come in two kinds. The first is the northern, Germanic dragon that flies through the air on powerful wings and breathes fire when provoked. It loves gold and other kinds of treasure; where it finds a hidden hoard it moves in and sleeps on top of it.

The most frequently encountered type of dragon in English folklore is the creeping and poisonous kind of dragon. It tends not to have wings, and it lurks in caves and marshes.  It devours cattle and maidens until a hero manages to dispatch it, or until a saint invokes the power of God to force it to move away. 

Beowulf and Saint George are the most famous dragon slayers in British mythology, but there are others. Today, there are two distinct dragons in the British Isles. The White dragon, which symbolises England, and the Red dragon that appears on the Welsh flag. Looking for dragon books in the library I was surprised to find factual books, anthologies and stories which all mention European and or English dragons.

These books provide a general introduction to dragons:

• Dragons  by Judy Tatchell and Peter Scott 

A simple introduction to myths about dragons from different countries, including where they live, what they eat, and how they look.

• Dragons?! by Lila Trap

This tours the globe describing the discoveries and ancient beliefs about dragons as mythological monsters, deities, creators of the world and guardians of its riches. The book tells the many stories of fierce battles, superpowers, mysteries of nature, local lore and legend. Thankfully, heroes abound and a clutch of cheeky chicks guides readers through the pages.

• Life-sized Dragons by John Grant and Fred Gambino

Ten life-sized pull-out flaps show dragons of every different shape, colour and personality, from crimson treasure hoarders to magnificent purple fire-breathers.The illustrations detail their physiology and biology and sit alongside informative text.

• Dragons by John Malam 

Enter the realm of legends with this guide to mythical creatures, dragons. Hunt down fearsome dragons, explore fairyland and discover the most famous giants and monsters in the world.

• Dragons Dragons  by Eric Carle

Fiery dragons, playful centaurs, the mysterious garusa, the web-footed bunyip--these and other mythological creatures abound in Eric Carle's Dragons Dragons. 

Compilations:

• Dragon Lore by Curatoria Draconis and Tomislav Tomic

Vibrant retellings of myths and legends that feature heroes and heroines from Thor to Merlin, Beowulf, Heracles, and the last dragon and the Princess. This includes a story about the red dragon and the white dragon.

• Fangs 'n Fire  by Chris Mould

Contains many traditional dragon myths and legends as well as some new and original tales. Stories include: George and the Dragon (traditional), The Dragon's Teeth (Greek myth), The Eyeless Dragons (Chinese myth), The Dragon Swarms (Edith Nesbit) and many more.

 • Dragons  by Christopher Rawson and Stephen Cartwright

Three hilarious, original tales of some not-so-scary mythical fire-breathing beasts. Each title is vividly illustrated, and is clearly laid out with speech bubbles to aid the narrative flow. 

• Tell Me Dragon  by Jackie Morris

Offers young readers a gallery of dragons in every shape, size, and temperament imaginable. They range from a beast as big as a village to a tiny species with whisper-thin wings, from a snaggle-toothed monster to a sea-dragon that races dolphins on the waves.

Individual books:

• Beowulf  by Michael Morpurgo and Michael Foreman

In fifth-century Denmark, a murderous monster stalks the night, and only the great prince of the Geats has the strength and courage to defeat him. Beowulf's terrifying quest to destroy Grendel, the foul fiend, a hideous sea-hag and a monstrous fire-dragon is the oldest surviving epic in British literature. Artfully retold and magnificently illustrated, this companion volume to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is made instantly accessible to children by a formidable children's book partnership.

• Saint George and the Dragon by Louie Stowell and John Coven

A humorous re-telling of the legendary tale, specially written for children who are starting to read on their own. Easy-to-read text and colourful illustrations bring the story of a fire-breathing dragon, a princess in peril and a bold knight to life. Includes background to the legend and the art it has inspired, as well as internet links to find out more.

• Saint George and the Dragon  retold by Margaret Hodges and Trina Schart Hyman

In this Caldecott Award-winning picture book, Hodges retells an exciting segment from Spenser's The Faerie Queene, in which the Red Cross Knight slays a dreadful dragon that has been terrorising the country.

• St George and the Dragon  by Geraldine McCaughrean and Nick Palin

This beautifully told story gives a vivid background of frightened villagers, an evil- minded dragon who has been shaped by his birth in “the deepest crevices of a bottomless pool” and his wicked dragon parents, and an heroic St George. 

• The Loathsome Dragon by David Wiesner and Kim Kahng

This is a retold story from an1890 English fairy tales called the Laidly Worm of Spindleston Heugh. A father of two children marries an enchantress and she gets jealous of the daughter and the son is over seas.  She turns the girl into a dragon and the brother must break the spell.

• Merlin and the Dragons by Jane Yolen and Li Ming

Young King Arthur, troubled by nightmares, doubts he is the rightful king of England. One rainy night, the wizard Merlin tells Arthur the story of dueling dragons and a fateful clash between good and evil, which reveals the surprising secret of the boy king's true legacy.

• Lancelot  by Hudson Talbot

Though Arthur was the greatest king that Britain had ever known, Lancelot was the Round Table's greatest knight. Orphaned in battle and rescued by the Lady of the Lake, Lancelot is raised in the enchanted domain of Avalon, where he is schooled in the arts of chivalry by the finest knights in the world.  Defeating giants, slaying dragons and rescuing damsels in distress are all in a day's work for the dynamic, young warrior.