Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Candlewick (2022), 256 pages
Description
Juvenile Fiction. Juvenile Literature. Historical Fiction. Humor (Fiction.) HTML: Raise the drawbridge for a story-within-a-story melding classic fairy-tale trappings with contemporary, tongue-in-cheek wit, abundantly illustrated in black-and-white�??a perfect family read. Noble children Thomas and Emily have always known their mother to be sensible, the lady of the castle�??if anything, a bit boring. But then they discover Meg, a cranky scribe who lives in the castle basement, leading a quirky group of artists in producing party invitations and other missives for the nobles above. Meg claims that she was a friend of their mother's back when the two were kids�??even before the dragon lived in the castle. Wait�??a dragon? Not sure they can believe Meg's tales, the kids return again and again to hear the evolving, fantastical story of their mother's escapades (while putting their fussiest penmanship to work) and get caught up in a quest to reunite the onetime friends. Kidnapping, fighting, a ferocious dragon, loyal elves, and true love . . . coupled with squabbling siblings, archery practice gone amiss, and ill-fated dives into the moat . . . This multilayered story blends adventure and humor, medieval tropes and modern sensibility, in a satisfying read for the whole… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member mysterymax
A lovely, gentle, fun book for young readers. Good drawings, real sounding dialogue.
LibraryThing member amanda4242
I like the cheeky humor and think the author did a really good job creating realistic child characters. On the down side, it's kind of slow and the ending lacks punch.
LibraryThing member karenweyant
Annette LeBlanc Cate's children's book is a fun read about two young children who stumble across a friend of their mother's (and their mother's interesting past) who is working in the very same castle where they live. Through this friend's tales, the children learn about a kidnapping, a rescue,
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elves, and of course, the dragon from the title of the book. It's an interesting, magical read but young children may get bogged down (and even bored) by the story within the story strategy of narrative. Show Less
LibraryThing member ecataldi
A children's fantasy novel that is told as a story within a story. When two Noble Children lose one of their best arrows they stumble upon a "dungeon" in a courtyard they weren't often there. They soon discover that it's not a dungeon but an odd assortment of artists who are responsible for all the
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castles invitations, paintings, and decorations. The leader of the rag tag group is Meg, and she wants nothing to do with the children as she is very busy. But the kids know that this crazy woman (is she a witch?) has some fantastic stories up her sleeve. So the boy and girl come back every day with treats from the castle kitchen and put themselves to work, all in order to hear the story about the dragon who used to live in the tower. It's too unbelievable to be true, but the kids are entranced by the story. They soon discover -that one of the main characters in Meg's story is their sensible mother. Their mother knew about a dragon and never told them?!? Cute and fun, a perfect family read that is sure to elicit lots of giggles. The illustrations are a nice touch. Show Less
LibraryThing member AnneDenney
Great fun to read of a gray afternoon. Lively dialogue, fun story, classic quest theme (to a degree). It's also always a pleasure to have the author draw her own illustrations, and although the copy I received via the EarlyReviewer Program is an advance reading copy, that is to say, the interior
As for writing style, the text is largely comprised of dialogue, which makes it easy to read for younger) readers and also to read out loud, especially if one is inclined to do a little role playing and voice alterations.
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pictures are not the final ones, the illustrations are already very good and very entertaining as well.As for writing style, the text is largely comprised of dialogue, which makes it easy to read for younger) readers and also to read out loud, especially if one is inclined to do a little role playing and voice alterations.
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LibraryThing member nx74defiant
A very cute children's story. With charming line drawings.
Thomas and Emily meet Meg, a cranky scribe who is working on party preparation for their parents anniversary party.
Meg tells them a story of when a dragon lived in the castle. They are not sure if they can believe their mother had really
Thomas and Emily meet Meg, a cranky scribe who is working on party preparation for their parents anniversary party.
Meg tells them a story of when a dragon lived in the castle. They are not sure if they can believe their mother had really
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been held captive by a dragon. But Meg captivates them with her story. The children help Meg's quirky crew and explore the castle. Show Less
LibraryThing member ChazziFrazz
I received this from Library Thing Early Reads
Thomas and Emily were practicing their archery, one day, and lost one of their good arrows in the brushes near one of the towers. (Thomas and Emily are the little nobles who live in the castle.) While looking for it, they discovered there were people in
It seems Meg used to be very good friends with the little nobles Mummy, when both were young girls. That was back when a dragon lived in the castle. The little nobles start spending time with the scribes and coerce Meg into telling them about how and why there was a dragon living in their castle. Meg tells the tale in chapters, which leaves the little nobles wondering if the story is true or not. Thomas hopes it is, as he can learn about dragons. He is going to be a knight when he grows up and fighting dragons is very important. Emily thinks it is thrilling and hopes it is true as she is learning about her Mummy as a young girl.
The book is a fairy tale that isn’t saccharine sweet or gory and violent. Meg may be a bit grouchy, but she tells a good tale. There are touches of sarcasm and humour as she spins her story.
The age level is 7 – 10 but I think it is an enjoyable read for any age. There are also illustration sketches that add to the story.
Thomas and Emily were practicing their archery, one day, and lost one of their good arrows in the brushes near one of the towers. (Thomas and Emily are the little nobles who live in the castle.) While looking for it, they discovered there were people in
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the basement of the tower. They turned out to be Meg, the leader and a bit of a grouchy lady, and her assistants. They are the castle scribes.It seems Meg used to be very good friends with the little nobles Mummy, when both were young girls. That was back when a dragon lived in the castle. The little nobles start spending time with the scribes and coerce Meg into telling them about how and why there was a dragon living in their castle. Meg tells the tale in chapters, which leaves the little nobles wondering if the story is true or not. Thomas hopes it is, as he can learn about dragons. He is going to be a knight when he grows up and fighting dragons is very important. Emily thinks it is thrilling and hopes it is true as she is learning about her Mummy as a young girl.
The book is a fairy tale that isn’t saccharine sweet or gory and violent. Meg may be a bit grouchy, but she tells a good tale. There are touches of sarcasm and humour as she spins her story.
The age level is 7 – 10 but I think it is an enjoyable read for any age. There are also illustration sketches that add to the story.
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LibraryThing member lpmejia
A cute and whimsical fantasy story for children ages 7-10. The story revolves around two children, Thomas and Emily, who are told stories about a dragon who used to live in the castle where they now reside. An interesting and fun adventure tale, it's definitely entertaining and would work well for
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the intended audience. Show Less
LibraryThing member debnance
The children of the castle, Thomas and Emily, meet Meg, an old friend of their mother's. Meg tells the two children stories of their mother's youth, especially about the time their mother was taken prisoner by a dragon, and the children gradually come to know the story of the estrangement of Meg
The characters are all cleverly drawn and appealing, and the story is rich with humor and fun. As a child (and, truly, even as an adult) I loved the stories like this, with illustrations sprinkled throughout the book, and with a feeling of magic throughout.
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and their mother.The characters are all cleverly drawn and appealing, and the story is rich with humor and fun. As a child (and, truly, even as an adult) I loved the stories like this, with illustrations sprinkled throughout the book, and with a feeling of magic throughout.
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LibraryThing member MillieHennessy
This was very cute and definitely, something younger me would have really appreciated. I always love seeing illustrations in books as well. It definitely made me nostalgic for the books I used to read and enjoy as a kid. Definitely something to check out if you have young readers who enjoy fantasy
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books. Show Less
Awards
Massachusetts Book Award (Must-Read (Longlist) — 2023)
Magnolia Book Award (Nominee — Grades 3-5 — 2024)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2022-04-12
Physical description
256 p.; 8.2 inches
ISBN
153620451X / 9781536204513