There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

Instead of an old lady, a dragon swallows everything!

By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight
By Penny Parker Klostermann
Illustrated by Ben Mantle
(Random House, 2015)

There used to be an old lady who swallowed a fly. I don't know why, but she swallowed that fly. Kids love to read and sing this silly song.

Now we can enjoy There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight.

A dragon, not a lady. A knight, not a fly.

I love this book!

Part nursery rhyme song, part fairy tale, part humor, part adventure. This picture book has it all. Sure the knight gets swallowed (along with many other fairy tale sorts), but what happens in the dragon's belly is quite comical.

Told in rhyme, There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight is a delightful and inventive take on the old stand-by. Never fear, the dragon does not die at the end.

KID KANDY:

Make-Believe Castle Fun

Materials: connecting blocks, horse, people figures, blue felt, dragon (or a large sock)

Make up your own story or use the items to retell There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight.

1. Build a castle with connecting blocks.

2. Choose people figures to be the knight, cook, squire, and lady. Add the horse and blue felt water.

3. Retell the story and let the dragon pretend to gobble up the other characters in the story. Or put your arm in the sock and pretend it is the dragon grabbing things to eat.


What other things could the dragon eat? Make sure he burps at the end and spits out everyone!

Dragons in Our Midst

Dragons in Our Midst (Series) by Bryan Davis
Living Ink Books, AMG Publishers (2004, 2005)

Welcome to a great upper elementary, middle school, young adult Christian fantasy series by Bryan Davis.

I stumbled upon the first of the series, Raising Dragons, a few years ago. I started it, and then had to wait. I thought I had to wait. It has been out, but the library did not have the copies, that I could find.

Now I have personal copies. I imagine the library does as well.

Dragons in Our Midst is a fun adventure that combines dragons, humans (some that are dragons at the same time), the battle of good and evil, and a building climax where a war is waged for control of the Earth. Oh, and it's a bit of a love story. Merlin and King Arthur play into the story, but I won't tell you how. Christian themes are woven throughout the tale.

Read this series if you love history, fantasy, dragons, conflict, and a great story!

One Realm Beyond, Realm Walkers

One Realm Beyond, Realm Walkers by Donita K. Paul
(Zondervan, 2013)

"Look at the book my Nana read!" says H.D.

Nana did read One Realm Beyond, the first book in the new Realm Walker series for young readers. This Nana thoroughly enjoyed Mrs. Paul's newest creation.

Based on my enjoyment of reading Donita K. Paul's Dragon Keepers series, which I adored, I was more than happy to read the ARC (advanced reader copy) of One Realm Beyond. One Realm Beyond is due out for purchase and your enjoyment on January 28, 2014.

Cantor D'Ahma, the hero and newly fledged realm walker, is a very likeable character. He is filled with all sorts of misgivings about his endeavors and has much to learn about travel and work and helping towards the greater good - as he journeys to other realms (sort of like planets, but closely connected by special doors).

Add several unique and crazily interesting friends, dragons, a cat, and conspirators, and Cantor has a tale to share with readers. Evil abounds and Cantor and his partners are seeking the best way to straighten things out.

My only problem with One Realm Beyond is that now I have to wait for Mrs. Paul to complete the series. Ahhh. It shall be worth the wait.

Check it out. Coming soon to the pages near you.

One Realm Beyond by Donita K. Paul

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I love reading anything written by Donita K. Paul. Not only are her characters interesting, unique, and real, she cares about her readers on a personal level.

One Realm Beyond is the beginning of a new series (I hope) featuring Cantor, a new realm walker. He is soon joined by fantastic characters, including a female partner and a dragon (who owns a cat). Just the idea of realm walkers, and walkers moving between realms that are sort of like different planets makes one want to read this book. I love it. Can't wait for the next installment!



View all my reviews

DragonQuest

DragonQuest by Donita K. Paul (WaterBrook Press, 2005)

Book 2 in the Dragon Keeper Series, DragonQuest, is just as delightful as the first book DragonSpell.

In DragonQuest, Kale, the Dragon Keeper, goes to school, but soon finds herself headed out on a new adventure - searching for another dragon egg. Her immediate family of minor dragons is enlarged by one surprising member. Kale continues to exhibit her true personality, faults - doubts - bursts of emotion, everything. But still she is a lovable character. She shows her growth in trust in Wulder. Throughout this book, the reader sees Kale beginning to bloom.

Twists, turns, and unexpected events kept this reader continuing to turn the pages. Even after this one was supposed to be asleep!

Go ahead. Enjoy the journey of Kale (and her dragons), Bardon, Dar, - oh, and all the cast. You'll be happy you did.

PS Good clean fun!

Dragonspell

Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul (Waterbrook Press, 2004)

I have discovered a favorite author!

Donita K. Paul is not new to the field of writing. Nor is my love of her characters and writing style recently discovered. I have been reading her books for several years. Notice my worn copy of this first book in her DragonKeeper series.

After stumbling upon her books while searching for a new read, there has been no turning back. Dragonspell has delightful and real characters set in a fairy tale world. The world of Amara has a spiritual base of Christianity. Wulder and Paladin guide the inhabitants of Amara who choose to follow their leading. Others who choose the opposite follow Risto and his plans.

Meet Kale, a used-to-be-slave-girl, who is recruited by Wulder as a gifted dragon keeper. She has the special talent of discovering dragon eggs. In the scheme of things, there is one very special egg, a meech egg, that is diligently sought out by Risto, who has not so good plans for the egg.

Paul has the fine fingers and voice of storytelling. Realistic details, character personalities and actions, and social interactions of beings on a quest make for a very good read. Paul's writing reminds me somewhat of C.S. Lewis. Now you have to read her books.

Check out Donita K. Paul's Web site to find out about other books, e-books, and even Monday night chats. Visit www.donitakpaul.com.

Happy 10th Year of Publication (2014)!