The word of a Dragon was culturally unbreakable upon many levels; far more so even than a Human promise. It was what a Human promise ought to be.
The Dragon Librarian (Scrolls of Fire Book 1) by Marc Secchia
Unbreakable Promise
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Tag Archives: Dragon
Hope Is a Dangerous Indulgence
Quote 1:
That day, suns’ dawning burnished my perception for the first time in my life, and I knew how long a journey faced me, for it was like squinting at a firefly’s faint glow through darkened crysglass. My knowledge of scroll lore allowed me to rejoice in many previously unimaginable similes and metaphors. Yet also, I knew a miracle. There was light in my darkness. This was my introduction to the joys and frustrations of that priceless gift called hope.
Quote 2:
It is hard to wish for what one has never known. Wishes are free, not so?
Auli considered her statement. Are they, noble Qualiana? For wishes rely upon hope, and hope must perforce rest one paw within reality. Some wishes carry a great price, o Dragoness; a price that would crush a soul.
Quote 3:
Hope is that emotion most riven with glorious terror, a unique, intensely personal expression of suffering. May hope’s promise never play you false.
The Dragon Librarian (Scrolls of Fire Book 1) by Marc Secchia
Dragons Shudder to Think
Essini’s parents had fled South to Yorbik Island where they were set upon by bandits and murdered for their paltry possessions. The bandits abandoned Essini in the rajal-infested interior forests, but an old Brown Dragon had found her and brought her to a Human enclave. They promptly about-faced and peddled the child to slave traders, who passed her from hand to hand until eventually a married couple from Gi’ishior, rug merchants who had no child of their own, purchased her out of pity. Now, she was as loved as any person could wish.
Auli-Ambar sighed. At least Essini’s story had turned out well, but it could have been much worse. Bandits and slavers were not known for their kindness to children, and Sazutharr had told her darkly, the fate of some children was so terrible, it made a Dragon shudder to think upon it.
The Dragon Librarian (Scrolls of Fire Book 1) by Marc Secchia
No One Thought Of It
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In spite of herself, unconsciously almost, Kay smiled. No, she hadn’t run away. And the dragon hadn’t tried to eat her, and she had to rethink a lot of the old stories. She liked the idea that everyone had been wrong all this time. This wasn’t just an adventure—it was an adventure no one else had even thought of before.
–Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn
Halloween Book Review: Friendly Witches and Scary Dragons
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Room on the Broom, by Julia Donaldson and Axel Sheffler
Room on the Broom has become something of a Halloween staple. It’s even been turned into a rather good cartoon.
It’s a wonderful story about a witch who keeps dropping things and finding woodland creatures who help her find them again. Each creature asks to join the witch on her broom and she happily agrees. Unfortunately, the broom can’t handle that much weight. A large dragon who like to eat witches attacks the overloaded broom, causing it to snap and allowing the dragon to catch the witch! But, fear not! The woodland creatures come to the rescue by scaring away the horrid dragon!
I love this story…BUT….it’s important to note that the which is very nearly eaten by a dragon, the illustrations show her being lifted into the dragon’s jaws, and the whole event is drawn out far longer than similar events in other children’s books.
The way the story is told proved to be extremely scary for some of the children in my life, and that made them dislike the book long-term.
I recommend previewing this book before reading it to your child. If it looks like something that they will find exceptionally scary, then wait a year or two before adding it to your Halloween-reading collection.
A quote can be found HERE.
All of the Halloween themed books, quotes and commentary posted to this blog can be found HERE.
Suggestions for Building Excitement Over The Holidays
Ordering Books: Whether you are building a family library or simply looking for a fun way to build-up to the Halloween celebration, having brand new books shipped to your home, in your child’s name, is a great way to do it. To a child, it is super exciting to receive a package in the mail, addressed to them! They may even want to read their brand-new book immediately AND before bed.
Library Holds: If you’d prefer to review the books before buying them, or need to maintain a tight budget, then use the local library. Go to the library website, locate the book and place it on hold. When the notification arrives, bring the child along and let them help find the books in the on-hold shelves.
Haven of Peace
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There is a haven for those tired of this war. There is a haven, out of view, where dragons and people still keep peace. It will always be a haven, and we pray that those who need it will find it in time.
–Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn
Sing Beautifully for You Are Supper
Quote
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‘How shall I put it, to a brain so much smaller and less clever than mine… The thing is, we are all, in a sense, supper. Walking, talking, breathing suppers, that’s what we are. Take you, for instance. YOU are about to be eaten by ME, so that makes you supper. That’s obvious. But even a murderous carnivore like myself will be a supper for worms one day. We’re all snatching precious moments from the peaceful jaws of time,’ said the Dragon cheerfully. ‘That’s why it’s so important,’ he continued, ‘for the supper to sing as beautifully as it can.’
How To Train Your Dragon (Book 1) by Cressida Cowell
All That I Wish For
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“There is water beneath me, and the air smells of salt and sunshine. What more could I wish for?” asked the dragon.
“Nothing. Nothing at all,” agreed Jenna.
–Septimus Heap, Book One: Magyk by Angie Sage
The Viking War Cry
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‘One… two… three…’ Four hundred Viking voices screamed as one: ‘GO AWAY!’ and added for good measure the Viking War Cry. The Viking War Cry was designed to chill the blood of Viking enemies at the commencement of battle. It is a horrifying, electrifying shriek that begins by mimicking the furious yell of a swooping predator, which then turns into the victim’s scream of pure terror, and ends with a horribly realistic imitation of the death-gurgles as he chokes on his own blood. It is a scary noise at the best of times, but shouted altogether by four hundred barbarians at eight o’clock in the morning it was enough to make the mighty Thor himself drop his hammer and blub like a little baby.
How To Train Your Dragon (Book 1) by Cressida Cowell
Heroic vs Brave
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Although this is the part of the story that the bards tend to focus on as the bit where Hiccup was particularly Heroic, I do not agree. It is a lot easier to be brave when you know you have no alternative. Hiccup knew in his heart of hearts that the Monster intended to kill them all anyway. So he didn’t have a lot to lose.
How To Train Your Dragon (Book 1) by Cressida Cowell