Manning-Sanders, Ruth. A Book of Dragons. New York : E. P. Dutton & Company, 1964.
Plot: A collection of folk and fairy tales involving dragons. The stories range from the cruel princess devour in "The Thirteenth Son of King Erin" to the benign companions in "Pepito". Some, like the Yellow Dragon and Chien Tang, possess a near-deity status, bringing rain and prosperity to those who gain their favor. Others use their powers to steal whatever or whoever they see fit, such as in "The Nine Doves," "The Three Dogs," and "Baskets in a Little Cart." However, all manage to provide opportunities to raise heroes and create legends.
Genre: Folklore, Fairy Tales, Fantasy
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Similar Titles: How to Train Your Dragon, Grimm's Fairy Tales, My Father's Dragon
Personal Thoughts: The collection manages to include stories capturing every major literary dragon type. Dragons may act as villains, heroes, providers, and problems in the tales and, unlike many collections, Manning-Sanders does not seem to favor one role over another. Instead, readers enjoy each of the variants in a single resource.
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