Bibliographic Information
- Hodges, M., Hyman, T. S., & Spenser, E. (1984). Saint George and the dragon: A golden legend. Boston: Little, Brown.
Summary
George and Princess Una are hunting a ferocious dragon that terrorizes the kingdom. The dragon surprises them on the journey, and a battle ensues that lasts for three days. Swords flash and fire is breathed in a dramatic description, and George is victorious. The King and Queen are delighted to see the Princess again, and declare George a hero for his victory to save the kingdom. He and Una are married and live happily ever after.
My Impressions
The reason I like to (and should) include the illustrator in these discussions is because picture books are as much art as they are reading. The Caldecott awards are given to excellent examples of illustrated picture books, so the author and the illustrator deserve equal credit for the award. Saint George is a legend from England with which I have limited familiarity. I knew it was a story about a knight that killed a dragon, but that was the end of my understanding. The story in this retelling seems to begin in the middle of the plot, kind of how Star Wars thrusts you into the story from the very beginning. The characters are archetypal Medieval royalty and knights who are either aloof or fearless. The illustrations are lovely and paint the mood of each page very well. Even the English mist on the moors during the hunt were illustrated. It was a great read, and would be appropriate for 2nd or 3rd grade and up. Saint George and the Dragon won the Caldecott award in 1985.
Reviews
Del Negro, J. M. (1985). Saint George and the Dragon (Book). [Review of Saint George and the Dragon by M. Hodges, T.S. Hyman & E. Spenser]. School Library Journal, 31(5), 76.
Hodges capably retells the legend of St. George and the Dragon, a popular and well-known fragment from Spenser's Fairie Queen. She has made it a coherent, palatable story suitable for a wide range of ages. The action is fast-paced and immediate--George, the Red Cross Knight, sent questing by the Queen of Fairies, accompanies the princess Una back to her father';s kingdom to slay the dragon that besets it or to die in the attempt. After the traditional three attempts he succeeds, and everyone lives happily ever after. This retelling is more than adequate, and Hyman's illustrations are uniquely suited to the outrageously romantic and appealing legend. Fairies and unicorns interwine [sic] with cross-emblazoned shields and red-winged angels in the borders. The paintings are richly colored, lush, detailed and dramatic. Hyman's dragon is appropriately ferocious; her hero is appropriately brave; and her princess--bless her--is a redhead, not a blond. This is a beautifully crafted book, a fine combination of author and illustrator. -- Janice M. Del Negro, Chicago Public Library
Library Usage
Since it is a picture book, it could be used for a story time with a finger puppet show of the action, or it would make a great book trailer to show images of dragons and knights and British myths and folklore. I could also be included in a genre study of folklore with Robin Hood, King Arthur, and William Tell.
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