Georgie and the Dragon

When a baby dragon falls from the sky at Georgie’s feet, Georgie knows he must help him get home to his Mum. But Mum is a terrifying, fire-breathing dragon who lives on Far Purple Mountain, and Georgie really doesn’t want to go there. The baby dragon, Galahad, is fearful of all the obstructions in the way back to Mum. Georgie isn’t afraid of the journey, just of Galahad’s Mum. In a masterful piece of child psychology, Georgie convinces Galahad that a sword flower will carry him through all the very real dangers that beset them on their path. Then Mum turns out to be a cuddly, ‘mumsie’ dragon. Georgie is a hero to all in an obvious allusion to St George and the dragon – a brave little boy who discovers his particular dragons don’t need slaying.

The pictures are great fun; lots of detail to enjoy, along with humour in the glowing colours and expressive faces. And the end papers are a treat!