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Dragon Boy
A beautiful new edition of Dick King-Smith's Dragon Boy, from the renowned author of Babe The Sheep-Pig.
Montagu Bunsen-Burner is on a diet. Concerned for his dragon digestion, his wife Albertina has taken humans off the menu. So when Montagu meets an orphaned boy in Sherwood Forest, he doesn’t barbecue him. He adopts him. Little John proves useful with his knowledge of herbs and cooking, but his cleverness in finally hatching one of Albertina’s eggs is what truly secures his place in the family. With his wolf Bart beside him, John bravely faces danger from animals, outlaws and fire. And as he grows, so does the legend of the dragon boy.
Montagu Bunsen-Burner is on a diet. Concerned for his dragon digestion, his wife Albertina has taken humans off the menu. So when Montagu meets an orphaned boy in Sherwood Forest, he doesn’t barbecue him. He adopts him. Little John proves useful with his knowledge of herbs and cooking, but his cleverness in finally hatching one of Albertina’s eggs is what truly secures his place in the family. With his wolf Bart beside him, John bravely faces danger from animals, outlaws and fire. And as he grows, so does the legend of the dragon boy.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
6 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Dick King-Smith
328 books308 followersDick King-Smith was born and raised in Gloucestershire, England, surrounded by pet animals. After twenty years as a farmer, he turned to teaching and then to writing children's books.
Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get enjoyment from what he does.
Among his well-loved books is Babe, The Gallant Pig, which was recently made into a major motion picture, and was nominated for an Academy Award.
Dick lived with his wife in a small 17th-century cottage, about three miles from the house where he was born.
Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get enjoyment from what he does.
Among his well-loved books is Babe, The Gallant Pig, which was recently made into a major motion picture, and was nominated for an Academy Award.
Dick lived with his wife in a small 17th-century cottage, about three miles from the house where he was born.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 25, 2015
It was probably 2001 when I read this book. I was five years old. While I could read before this book, I didn't enjoy reading. The Dragon Boy, by Dick King-Smith changed that completely. The adventures of Mr. and Mrs. Bunsen-Burner completely changed my attitude towards reading.
January 6, 2024
Was on the verge of highly rating this when it got very sexist.
It's fun: a dragon takes a boy home and raises him. But I never did figure out why a dragon wouldn't be able to hatch it's eggs, unless this was King-Smith's dig at the terrible state of sex ed in his day. But the whole Male Dragon has to put Female Dragon in her place and secretly she enjoys it, put me right off.
It's fun: a dragon takes a boy home and raises him. But I never did figure out why a dragon wouldn't be able to hatch it's eggs, unless this was King-Smith's dig at the terrible state of sex ed in his day. But the whole Male Dragon has to put Female Dragon in her place and secretly she enjoys it, put me right off.
August 24, 2010
I used to love this book so much. I just found it on my sister's shelves. It used to produce silly amounts of glee. I think my favourite thing, flicking through it now, is that the surname of the dragon family is 'Bunsen-Burner'. I didn't understand that when I first read it.
I think the battered state of this copy speaks for how much I loved it.
I think the battered state of this copy speaks for how much I loved it.
July 21, 2011
Lovely children's book by the late great Dick King-Smith. A story about dragons, a young boy and the wonderful adventures in their lives. Perfect.
November 30, 2024
★★★★ - GREAT
This was such a genuine delight to read. Was one of those books in the school library that had always intrigued me when I was younger but never actually sat down to read. Well, it was cheap on Kindle, so I decided to give it a go, and was not expecting to get so swept away with it. Starts off relatively simple, but quickly takes you on a rather sweet and thoroughly engaging journey with a charming pair of dragons who adopt a young orphaned boy, and from there, adventure ensues. Full of fantastical wonder, and never feels like King-Smith is talking down to the reader. A couple minor issues I had were a couple of moments of glaring sexism, which wasn't necessarily challenged, but might reflect when it was written. It wasn't egregious, but was definitely there in parts. I also wish at times there was more conflict for the main character other than just the natural wilderness; I found it rather odd how other dragons seemed to just accept nonchalantly the fact that this family of dragons had adopted a human. Could have been potential to create some tension between the main characters, but otherwise, a very well written and very fun read, and highly recommended for kids.
This was such a genuine delight to read. Was one of those books in the school library that had always intrigued me when I was younger but never actually sat down to read. Well, it was cheap on Kindle, so I decided to give it a go, and was not expecting to get so swept away with it. Starts off relatively simple, but quickly takes you on a rather sweet and thoroughly engaging journey with a charming pair of dragons who adopt a young orphaned boy, and from there, adventure ensues. Full of fantastical wonder, and never feels like King-Smith is talking down to the reader. A couple minor issues I had were a couple of moments of glaring sexism, which wasn't necessarily challenged, but might reflect when it was written. It wasn't egregious, but was definitely there in parts. I also wish at times there was more conflict for the main character other than just the natural wilderness; I found it rather odd how other dragons seemed to just accept nonchalantly the fact that this family of dragons had adopted a human. Could have been potential to create some tension between the main characters, but otherwise, a very well written and very fun read, and highly recommended for kids.
March 17, 2022
This book is an old classic and it’s a gem. The story is at once adroitly imaginative, humorous, and poignant. From the perspective of an adult, you really do feel a terrible sense of peril, especially at the beginning—the protagonist, John, is sometimes too young to fully comprehend the danger he is in. But he learns fast. He has to: when you’re an orphaned 7 year old boy, everything is out to kill you. Dick King-Smith does not shy away from showing the reader the harsh side of nature—it’s something I appreciate.
The dragons, Montague and Albertina, are a wonderful example of cross-species, adoptive parenting. Montague is doting and sweet; Albertina is stricter, but fair. The other dragons are good characters too: well-drawn, sometimes humorous, and interesting.
I can’t go into too much detail without giving things away, but suffice to say, I think anyone who likes fantasy or has a small kid will love this book. It’s whimsical, astute, and enchanting.
The dragons, Montague and Albertina, are a wonderful example of cross-species, adoptive parenting. Montague is doting and sweet; Albertina is stricter, but fair. The other dragons are good characters too: well-drawn, sometimes humorous, and interesting.
I can’t go into too much detail without giving things away, but suffice to say, I think anyone who likes fantasy or has a small kid will love this book. It’s whimsical, astute, and enchanting.
December 22, 2018
I'm always on the look out for dragon books - there's always one or two dragon-lovers in each 3rd grade class. They want a great story - but it can't be too complex as many fantasies are. This is a perfect tale (though the print is small - can't have everything) for the dragon readers in my room this year. I'm looking forward to sharing it when we return from break.
July 24, 2022
This book was my favourite as a child and I will forever love it! For some reason as a child all I read was books about dragons and this was just my all time favourite it really made my childhood and my copy is battered from years and years of love!
December 27, 2021
9 year old me was obsessed
June 20, 2018
I really enjoyed this book! I haven't read a Dick King-Smith book in awhile, and this book reminded me how much I like his cheeky writing style. Especially the family dynamics of the Bunsen-Burner family!
I loved the literary allusions, like to the fable of the Boy Who Cried Wolf. And the hint at why King-Smith named his boy protagonist "John".
I loved the literary allusions, like to the fable of the Boy Who Cried Wolf. And the hint at why King-Smith named his boy protagonist "John".
July 31, 2022
This was really lovely. At first I thought it was going to be a bit silly - we have a dragon, Mr Bunsen-Burner, on a diet! But the characters were quite engaging and lovable, especially John, who was mature and likeable. And then when we learn that he is little John, John Little! No wonder John Little was always so big and strong - he grew up on a very (unusually) healthy diet of red meat and other foods.
John is orphaned at the tender age of seven and Montagu's dragon of a wife has put him on a diet as the metal of too many knights has given him indigestion too many times, so no more people. Then Montagu meets John and not thinking of eating him feels sorry for him instead so he takes him home. John soon wins over Albertina and is adopted by the pair, who have no kids of their own. He is able to figure out why the eggs aren't hatching and steals one which he manages to get hatched and which becomes his sister Lucky. Meanwhile a narrow escape with a she-wolf and a bear left him with a lovely wolf Bart to raise. They manage to find a mate for Lucky, Gerald. The story ends with John with the family, though probably for not too much longer, at least until he is ready for a mate, and thinking what a fun time it's been.
There were some very interesting, amusing episodes (e.g. getting John some human clothes, Albertina's encounters with the racist Welsh dragons). We're able to understand Montagu's interest in John in terms of farmers who befriend lambs, and raise them, maybe even end up eating them. But Monty and family became non-human eaters all the time after loving John. I expected to have a scene where some other dragons expect to eat John but this never happened.
Books for Children describe Dick King-Smith as "A genius in comic animal fantasy" and Sunday Telegraph as "Endearing and humorous" which I would have to agree with. A lovely read.
John is orphaned at the tender age of seven and Montagu's dragon of a wife has put him on a diet as the metal of too many knights has given him indigestion too many times, so no more people. Then Montagu meets John and not thinking of eating him feels sorry for him instead so he takes him home. John soon wins over Albertina and is adopted by the pair, who have no kids of their own. He is able to figure out why the eggs aren't hatching and steals one which he manages to get hatched and which becomes his sister Lucky. Meanwhile a narrow escape with a she-wolf and a bear left him with a lovely wolf Bart to raise. They manage to find a mate for Lucky, Gerald. The story ends with John with the family, though probably for not too much longer, at least until he is ready for a mate, and thinking what a fun time it's been.
There were some very interesting, amusing episodes (e.g. getting John some human clothes, Albertina's encounters with the racist Welsh dragons). We're able to understand Montagu's interest in John in terms of farmers who befriend lambs, and raise them, maybe even end up eating them. But Monty and family became non-human eaters all the time after loving John. I expected to have a scene where some other dragons expect to eat John but this never happened.
Books for Children describe Dick King-Smith as "A genius in comic animal fantasy" and Sunday Telegraph as "Endearing and humorous" which I would have to agree with. A lovely read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2015
My dad used to read me this book when I was a child. It has so much sentimental meaning to me. I remember reading the book over and over, and enjoying it each and every time!
Unfortunately, somewhere down the line our book became lost... and never to be found. What I would do to have this book again. Maybe I could even read it to my own children some day.
5* For being super cute and outrageously funny!
Unfortunately, somewhere down the line our book became lost... and never to be found. What I would do to have this book again. Maybe I could even read it to my own children some day.
5* For being super cute and outrageously funny!
April 10, 2021
I've been reading some of DKS's lesser-known titles lately and up until the very end I was thinking of rounding this one up to a 4* rating, but the ending just felt too abrupt. The premise is a lot of fun, which is just as well because it takes the place of any overarching plot. Dragon Boy is more a sequence of events in the course of the Bunsen-Burner dragons' and John's lives.
Still a lovely read, though. No regrets that this is my first of 2021.
Still a lovely read, though. No regrets that this is my first of 2021.
January 4, 2014
All I remember about this book is that I loved it. I was with the boy growing up with dragons, hearing their hilarious conversations, feeling the wind rush through my hair in all the adventures they got themselves into. It was brilliant!
I bestow five stars for the memory of this tale being clever, entertaining and funny.
I bestow five stars for the memory of this tale being clever, entertaining and funny.
May 9, 2015
Read this book ages ago and I still remember awesome it was. A wonderful heart warming children's book by Dick King-Smith. It has a good moral value and lot of action. The real beauty of this novel is the way the author has depicted dragons, not as scary monsters but as kind heartened animals. I used loved these dragons as a kid.
March 24, 2011
TROGDOR!!!!!
DRAGONS!!!
DRAGONS!!!
January 28, 2016
A very clever book. I wish I'd had it as a child.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews