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| Drawing courtesy of Chez Wheedleton's resident Dragon Expert: Lovely Girl |
Back now? Great! Let's get to it:
If you've been here for the last two posts, you'll recall that we've added a new component to this year's festivities: Themes! And if you're new to Bugs and Bunnies? Well, now you know. The theme thing is new.
So far, we've had fun with two themes:
Dragon Fact, Dragon Fable – with dragon books that are informational in nature
and
Chinese Dragon Tales – with dragon books rooted in Chinese culture, with Chinese dragons
For this week, we present:
Other Dragon Tales
These dragon stories involve a variety of world cultures - Egyptian, Viking, English, and one that's unspecified but seems American. Enjoy!
Written by Gillian Bradshaw
Ages 9 and up
Prahotep was born backward, with his eyes wide open. The people of his small Egyptian village took that to mean he was frowned upon by the gods. And it seemed to be so, for this son of a fisherman was no good at fishing.
When one day a crocodile attacks Prahotep's father, his dying wish is for Prahotep to leave his small village near the Nile river, and try to find something he is good at. So Prahotep travels to Thebes. But his attempts at learning new trades there goes no better, and he finds himself labeled with a new name: Bad Luck. Finally, there is only one trade left for him to attempt – theft. When even that doesn't go well, he begins to think the gods really do frown on him.
And then, Prahotep stumbles into the cave of Hathor, the last of what was believed to be an extinct line of dragons. Her discovery by others will mean her death. Could this be the destiny Prahotep has sought for so long? Could he be the one who can save the last Egyptian dragon?
Written by Steve Smallman
Illustrations by Lee Wildish
Ages 5 and up
Five bored Vikings are looking for an adventure. But they don't want to do the same old things. Battle? Nothing new. Shark fishing? Nope. Wresting a bear...in their underwear? Been there, done that!
And then, Loggi Longsocks comes up with one last idea: Catch a dragon, and make a dragon stew! To that, the other Vikings say, "Now, that's something new!" And the adventure begins...
Written by Kenneth Grahame
Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard
Ages 7 - and up
Long ago, there lived a shepherd, his wife, and their small son. One day, the father came across a dragon living in a cave outside the village, and he was beside himself with fear. But the boy, who read lots and lots of books and knew about these things, was less upset. "It's all right, father. Don't you worry. It's only a dragon."
And then, the boy befriended the dragon, and soon convinced his parents the situation was not as dire as all that. The dragon was rather cultured and quite mild-mannered. But when word spread, as word is wont to do, the villagers were not so serene. And they sent for St. George, slayer of dragons.
The boy sees only one way to save his friend. And it involves convincing the whole town – and a dragon slayer – to not slay a dragon. But, how?
Written by David LaRochelle
Illustrated by Hanako Wakiyama
Ages 3 - 5
This is the story of a boy who wants a dog for a pet. But each time he asks his mom for a dog, she refuses.
Then one day, the boy decides to ask for something new. He asks for a dragon for a pet. And this time, his mom says, "If you can find a dragon, you can keep it for a pet."
So he finds a dragon. But a dragon does not make a good pet. And when the boy's mom tells the dragon to leave, it refuses.
The boy has an idea how to get the dragon out of the house, though. And it involves a dog...
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And that's that for this week. We hope you enjoyed Part 3 of 4 of the Third Annual Bugs and Bunnies Literary Appreciation of Dragons. Please join us again next Friday, for Part 4 of 4, when we present dragon books that will satisfy those who like to do more than just read about dragons...
