"With firm resolve he bent toward the beast, and once, twice, thrice he kissed its fearsome head. With a hiss and a roar, the Loathsome Dragon collapsed to the ground revealing
fair Margaret within its heart."
This story, retold by husband-and-wife team David Wiesner and Kim Kahng, is based on an eighteenth-century ballad. David Wiesner found the story in a book of English folktales from 1890.
"I found the image of the maiden awakening in her bed as 'laidy worm' or loathsome dragon, so striking that I painted it as a poster for an art exhibition in 1985."
In Bamborough Castle there lived a king and queen and two children. A daughter named Margaret and a son named Richard. After the queen died the king met a beautiful woman - he did not know she was an enchantress. Richard had left the castle to see the world so only Margaret was there to greet the new queen. But the new queen could see the king loved his daughter perhaps more than his new queen. Enraged by jealousy, she decides to put a spell on the young girl.
Change love to fear, princess to dragon,
Forevermore shall this be,
Unless Prince Richard, the kings' own son,
Gives the beast kisses three.
And so, Margaret is transformed into a dragon, and she sets off seemingly to attack the town and the people. Luckily the court wizard gives his wise counsel. He cannot reverse the spell but if the villagers give the dragon the milk of seven cows every day at sunset they will not be attacked. The wizard also explains time is running out and Richard must be found quickly and told to return home.
Bookseller blurb: A lovely princess, a brave prince, a wicked stepmother, evil enchantments, magic rowan wood, and an immense, scaly dragon. ... Favorite fairytale elements sparkle in The Loathsome Dragon, a traditional English tale. Majestic, romantic paintings by two-time Caldecott medalist David Wiesner display the remarkable artistry and dizzying perspectives his work is known for.
I’m a huge David Wiesner fan – and while this is not one of his more well-known books, it is certainly one of my favorites. It is one I would categorize as a traditional dragon story – and comes complete with a lovely princes, brave prince, wicked stepmother and evil enchantments, not to mention a dragon. Reading Power Gear
I love the way so many numbers are woven into this story - the enchantress passes her arms in front of herself nine times nine; she chants her spell three times three; the people need to supply the milk of seven cows; Richard gathers three and thirty men to build his ship to rescue is sister and of course he must kiss her three times.
This book was first published in 1987 and then reprinted in 2005. It is sure to be found in many public and school libraries.
One of my favourite books would be the perfect companion to read after The Loathsome Dragon:
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