Saint George and the Dragon (book)
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
Saint George and the Dragon is a children's book authored by Margaret Hodges, with illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman, and released by Little, Brown on August 23, 1984. It received the 1985 Caldecott Medal for its artwork. The narrative is an adaptation of Edmund Spenser's epic poem The Faerie Queene.
Description
The book's dimensions are 9 x 0.1 x 10.1 inches, it weighs 5.6 ounces, and it comprises 32 pages.
Plot
An unnamed knight, new to combat, is dispatched by the Queene of Faeries to vanquish a dragon that threatens the realm. Alongside Una, the princess, he encounters a hermit who discloses his name as George and his English origins. After facing the dragon twice unsuccessfully, George defeats it on his third attempt. The king rewards him with Una’s hand in marriage. George continues to serve the Queene of Faeries in battle, eventually earning the title of Saint George.
Characters
- George – The knight assigned by the Queene of Faeries to overcome the dragon.
- Queen of Faeries – The ruler who commissions George’s quest.
- Una – The princess who accompanies George.
- Hermit – The figure who reveals George’s identity.
- Dragon – The menace to the kingdom defeated by George.
- King – Offers Una’s hand as a reward to her rescuer.
- Queen – Mother of Una.
- Donkey – The animal that carries Una.
- Dwarf – Responsible for carrying supplies.
History
The tale traces back to the crusades and centers on George, a Roman military leader from the 3rd century in what is now Libya. Refusing to persecute Christians under Emperor Diocletian’s rule, George was subjected to torture and ultimately executed by beheading. He was later canonized as Saint George when Emperor Constantine dedicated a church in his honor.
Critical reception
According to Goodreads.com, Saint George and the Dragon serves as "an ideal introduction of a timeless story for new readers." Steve Barancik from "The Best Children's Books" mentions that some illustrations might be too intense for very young audiences. The Catholic Information Center lauds it as "exceptionally wonderful and suitable for all ages," particularly emphasizing the artwork. Publishers Weekly praises the adaptation of The Faerie Queen for its richly detailed and lively illustrations. Kirkus Reviews describes it as "a compelling story complemented by theatrical design and imagery." Conversely, Barbara Bader criticized the work in a retrospective Caldecott essay as “a pretentious homage to earlier illustrative achievements,” branding it kitsch.