Dove Isabeau

by Jane Yolen, Dennis Nolan

The beautiful and virtuous Dove Isabeau is transformed into a winged dragon by her evil stepmother and is rescued by her beloved, only to see him, too, become enchanted, and she must confront her stepmother to save him. Reprint.

Genres: Picture Books, Fantasy, Childrens, Fairy Tales, Dragons, Fiction, Young Adult

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Jane Yolen was a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who wrote more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lived in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Marquise]

[AMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated and narrated book. The only thing you might want to be aware of a few things. There is a dark edge to this one with a step-mother who casts spells and turns Isabeau into a dragon. It can get a bit creepy at times. The bravery of Kemp Owain is admirable and the basic story is really a great tale to enjoy. I think it requires a more mature audience. Recommended to Grades 4-5.

[Jacob]

Dove Isabeau (1989). Written by Jane Yolen. Illustrated by Dennis Nolan. Motif: Evil Stepmother. This folktale tells the story of a beautiful princess named Dove Isabeau who, under the spell of an evil witch, transforms into a red dragon. During one harsh winter season, the queen falls ill and dies. After the death of the queen, the king soon remarries to an evil witch who "had the eyes green of May but a heart as bleak as February." Jealous of her beautiful stepdaughter, the evil witch casts a spell and turns Princess Dove into a ferocious red dragon. The red dragon terrorizes the town and destroys any man who attempts to take her down. The brave "Kemp Owain" sacrifices himself to save Dove Isabeau, releasing the spell cast upon her. Unlike some traditional narratives, the princess decides to take further action and confronts the evil witch by herself. The book features a strong female character who is brave and willing to face danger. The female character does not solely rely on the male character to save the day. The book conveys a very powerful message to young readers. In addition, Dennis Nolan's watercolor illustrations beautifully complement the narrative. Target audience: ages 4-8.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite picture books as a child, and still one of the most breathtaking books I've ever seen.

Illustrated with detailed and captivating drawings on every page, Dove Isabeau tells a classic, haunting fairy tale about a lovely young maiden and her evil, witch stepmother. Having lost her beloved mother, Isabeau only has a white cat for company, while the dark-souled witch wants nothing more than to be rid of her. And so she casts a spell, turning lovely Dove Isabeau into a fearful dragon wyrm who no one can recognize.

Can the King's son Owen from across the sea break the spell? Will the witch be vanquished? And what mysteries does the little white cat hide?

Definitely no ordinary children's storybook, this gorgeous and inspiring fairy tale hearkens back to the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson...but put your mind to rest, the ending is satisfying. :)

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first came across this beautiful book at school when a librarian introduced me to it and have had a problem finding it since. Fortunately I now own a released library copy so I can re-read this as many times as my heart desires.

This is a beautiful fairytale retelling where the story is familiar enough to lull the reader into thinking they know the end and then having a surprise twist to it. There is more than one hero in this tale but which hero do you call the bravest is up to you.

I will admit this is a story you may want to watch reading to your children for it can be bit gruesome in a vague way while the pictures are gorgeous. Sometimes while reading the book I just stare at the pictures for a few minuets since the breath-taking details add to this story.

If you like fantasy and fairytales this is definitely a keeper.....

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I ever fell in love with. Whenever I am in a used book store I check to see if they have a copy since it is now Out of Print.

[A. Mickey Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragons and a princess with a body count. What more could I ask for?

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I was despising this, but then I realized that it's not Snow White's tale, it's not for young children, the witch's motives don't matter, and the 99 heroes did not die in vain. The epilogue makes it all work out with a message every young girl needs to read.

Very highly recommended to all children who are of an age to start thinking about who rescues whom... or if that's even the right question....

FotL Chanute

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this story with a prince who is not only handsome, but also smart and loyal! Our heroine, Isabeau, is also smart, strong, and independent and is married to a prince who loves those qualities even more than her beauty!

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot, as an adult. It felt a bit too dark for the age it seemed geared to, having been bound as a children's picture book.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairytale in the vein of Snow White, Dove Isabeau is a beautiful noble girl who is admired and loved by all. That is, until her mother dies and father remarries a witch who wants nothing more than to kill her stepdaughter, which she tries to find out by wishing into a glass ball every day. Eventually she traps Dove Isabeau and turns her into a dragon, which the king's son (who has of course always loved her) must defeat but there is a twist to the story.

[RumBelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new take on the wicked stepmother, downtrodden stepdaughter fairy tale. In this version, Dove is transformed into a dragon, whose impulses can only be kept in check by her faithful cat. The prince she has loved since childhood was sent to kill the terrible beast, not realizing it was Dove. Together, with the aid of said intelligent feline, they manage to restore Dove, stop the sorceress stepmother and save the kingdom.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous words, gorgeous pictures.
This is a fairy tale of a young lady who is quiet and gentle, but loved by a king’s son for the “fire that lay beneath the skin”. When she is turned into a dragon by her wicked stepmother, that fire has no choice but to come to the surface.

[Lyndsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

pb 4? Love this book! Perfect for girls who love princess fairy tales but it also teaches them they do not have to be the damsel in distress. The illustrations are wonderful and life like and the story fits them perfectly. I love the soft colors used and hoe nicely everything blends.

[Toshio · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice picture book playing off of the fair maiden/evil witch theme. Used to use this book with some of my ESL students.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful fairy tail with amazing water color pictures. Very much a medieval feel to the story.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Jane Yolen's writing and her strong female characters. This book begs to be read/told out loud. I would love to hear one of the tellers at the Timpanogos Storytelling festival do this one.

[Kiera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairy-tale kind of story with gorgeous illustrations. Interesting, but a little morbid at the end when the heroine kills the witch.

[Echo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The illustrations were beautiful, and the the story was wonderful. It reminded me of the old fairy tales.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written fantasy with a fairy tale feel. Accompanied by Lovely color artwork by Dennis Nolan.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are to die for, some of the best watercolors EVER. My second daughter is named after the heroin, Isabeau.

[Stan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are too many wicked stepmothers in the world. There are also white cats, good magic, and love that conquers all. I enjoyed this story.

[Sannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read this book in years and don't know if I would still love it as much, but as a child I thought it was awesome.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pictures could have been better, particularly in the faces.