A Dragon's Tail: Jane and the Dragon

Jane and the Dragon

by Martin Baynton

This is an exciting junior novel based on the Jane and the Dragon animated TV series. What's worse than a Dragon with a sore head? Dragon with a sore head and a bad case of Curly Tail! Dragon is ill and Skyleaf is his only hope for a cure. Jane and Gunther set off in search of the rare plant, but it only grows on the mountain top overlooking the The mountain top where the edges are crumbly and dangerous. Will Jane and Gunther find the Skyleaf in time? And what will Dragon do when he discovers his friend has put herself in danger to save him?

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Childrens

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Martin Baynton is a British Author, Illustrator and TV producer. His latest novel, Truth and Transformation (Taking Wonderland #2), is book two in a fantasy trilogy, Taking Wonderland. Best known for his children’s books, his Jane And The Dragon series was adapted and produced for television by Weta Workshop. His books have been widely published in the UK, US, New Zealand and Australia, and he has illustrated books written by authors such as Russell Hoban and Kenneth Grahame.

Martin has also written for the stage and television and has created award winning TV shows including The WotWots, the Kiddets and The Book Hungry Bears.

Born in London, Martin was educated at Hereford Cathedral Prep, Ledbury Grammar School and Hereford Art College. He studied electrophysiology at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London University and the Institute Of Child Health. In the mid 1970s, he joined St Bartholomew Hospital's medical electronics department to develop biofeedback technology with biofeedback pioneer Dr Ann Wooley-Hart.

Martin moved to New Zealand in 1987 with his young family and became a New Zealand citizen.

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a work of art, but a fun little book which will appeal to elementary school readers. It is based on a television show, with digital animation by WETA, but in this area it's only been shown on an obscure cable channel.
The stories in the series are about a girl and her dragon...well, hers in the sense that he puts up with her better than he puts up with most humans. Jane is in training as a squire, and wants to be the first female knight in her kingdom.
The story itself is a simple quest for ingredients to make the dragon well after he has picked up an unusual illness. The biggest weakness in the story is that, other than determination and stubbornness, we don't get to see qualities in Jane that would make her suitable as a knight. If the series continues, she needs to grow into that role, or her aspiration will be hard to believe.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kindergartener loves this show and I was shocked to see a book at the library that it's based from. Since we are trying to read more chapter books we decided to check it out. She really enjoyed this book even though it didn't "have many pictures." The good thing was a list of the characters in the beginning of the book with a drawing of each that could be referred back to throughout the story. I appreciated that it was a simple story that could be remembered easily from one night to the next, taught great values, and featured a tough girl as the main character.

[Elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun book for the young reader. I read it a good many years ago and I loved it. It is an easy read and depending on the publication it has some very fun pictures for kids. The story is easy to follow and Jane is a fun character, also I'm sure many young girls can relate to her.

[Parker O. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its a great book! I don't remember what it was about because I read It a long time ago. But i remember liking it a lot. So I rated it a 5.