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Jill #1
ԺԻԼՆ ու ՎԻՇԱՊԸ
“And they all lived happily ever after.”
At least, that’s what Jill’s storybook says, but Jill can’t help noticing that at the end of the story, one character looks far from happy. Dragon is despised by the king because all he can do is singe, burn, and barbecue. So Jill decides to make her fairy tale ring true and invites Dragon out of the book, so she can teach him some alternative life skills! Dragon throws himself into all of Jill’s favorite things—but with disappointing results. When it seems as if all hope is lost, Jill and Dragon discover that he has one very unique, and palatable, talent . . .
At least, that’s what Jill’s storybook says, but Jill can’t help noticing that at the end of the story, one character looks far from happy. Dragon is despised by the king because all he can do is singe, burn, and barbecue. So Jill decides to make her fairy tale ring true and invites Dragon out of the book, so she can teach him some alternative life skills! Dragon throws himself into all of Jill’s favorite things—but with disappointing results. When it seems as if all hope is lost, Jill and Dragon discover that he has one very unique, and palatable, talent . . .
38 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2016
1 person is currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Lesley Barnes
13 books8 followersLesley Barnes is an award winning illustrator and animator based in Glasgow. Her distinctive, bright and joyful work spans the worlds of fashion, music, children’s literature, film and product design. Lesley has created exclusive product ranges for both the V&A and the Tate Museums in London. Other clients include Scottish band Belle & Sebastian, Clinique, Glamour Magazine, The Sunday Times Style, Random House, The Folio Society, Puffin Books, and children’s magazines Anorak and OKIDO. She is the author and illustrator of three children's books.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 1, 2019
When Jill notices that not everyone in her storybook looks happy, even though the narrator insists that "everyone lived happily ever after," she ends up bringing the book's dragon into her own world, hoping to cheer him up. Her attempts to teach him how to be less destructive prove futile however, and he is poised to sink deeper into despair. Then inspiration strikes, and Jill discovers his special talent, a talent that will make him the storybook's most popular character, rather than the villain...
An engaging fantasy is paired with magical illustrations in Jill & Dragon, a meta-fictional picture-book which marks British author/illustrator Lesley Barnes' debut. Although the story is entertaining, I found the chief appeal here the gorgeous artwork, which is colorful and immensely charming. I'm not sure what medium Barnes used - block print? mixed media? - but the result is captivating! The sense of motion and of fun to be found throughout, the droll expressions Jill's dog, who is clearly not a fan of the dragon, exhibits - all add to the appeal. I understand that Barnes is working on a sequel to Jill & Dragon, which is good news indeed. Recommended to anyone looking for magical stories for younger children.
An engaging fantasy is paired with magical illustrations in Jill & Dragon, a meta-fictional picture-book which marks British author/illustrator Lesley Barnes' debut. Although the story is entertaining, I found the chief appeal here the gorgeous artwork, which is colorful and immensely charming. I'm not sure what medium Barnes used - block print? mixed media? - but the result is captivating! The sense of motion and of fun to be found throughout, the droll expressions Jill's dog, who is clearly not a fan of the dragon, exhibits - all add to the appeal. I understand that Barnes is working on a sequel to Jill & Dragon, which is good news indeed. Recommended to anyone looking for magical stories for younger children.
March 2, 2017
Haha, dit was echt een leuk prentenboek over een meisje die het niet eens is met een einde in haar boek en dus de draak maar gaat helpen om iets te vinden waar ie goed in is. Leuk! Met een heel lief einde. De tekeningen waren niet helemaal mijn stijl, maar ik vond ze toch best redelijk.
May 4, 2016
Perfection! I love picture books where the story starts on the cover and makes use of the endpapers as well! I also love that this book had no dust jacket, but is hardcover, since dust jackets are a pain in the patoot when books are being read and tossed around by kids! And of course, I love any story where the dragon wins!
Beautifully designed, beautifully illustrated, and beautifully written!
Beautifully designed, beautifully illustrated, and beautifully written!
November 30, 2015
Interesting story about a story book dragon and the girl who is reading the tale. Cool pictures. My son enjoyed it ... especially the fold out section.
May 29, 2021
jill, mutlu sonla bittiğini yazan bir hikayede, bir kişinin mutsuzluğunu fark edecek kadar akıllı, bu sonu değiştirmenin peşine düşecek kadar cesur ve arkadaşının içindeki yeteneği ortaya çıkarabilecek kadar da avcı bir çocuk. bir şeylerin eksikliğini/yanlışlığını gördüğü durumlara razı olmayan, alternatifler üreten insanları seviyorum, bunun bi parçası olmayı da.
June 23, 2016
Let them eat toast!
The poor dragon is the only one not happy at the end of the book so Jill offers to take the dragon home. While there, she discovers he has a very unique talent - creating faces on toast! The toast portraits were a bit strange, but the illustrations are beautiful!
The poor dragon is the only one not happy at the end of the book so Jill offers to take the dragon home. While there, she discovers he has a very unique talent - creating faces on toast! The toast portraits were a bit strange, but the illustrations are beautiful!
May 14, 2016
Utterly delightful story about a sympathetic bookworm who helps a dragon find his true calling. Beautiful illustrations: brilliantly colored and medieval-tapestry-looking. Makes me want toast.
June 8, 2016
Oh what BEAUTIFUL illustrations! This is a gorgeous story about finding Dragon his place.
May 10, 2019
This is a lovely and different story about finding your purpose and how nobody has to be left out because everyone can have a happy ever after if they find their niche.
This is a great story to consider different styles of illustration and fractured fairy tales.
The illustrations are graphic and take inspiration in parts from medieval tapestry; illuminated parchment and inked block print styles across the book. The way the Dragon comes out of the storybook is incredibly creative with the page falling apart and letters and knights tumbling as Jill pulls him out.
The fractured fairy tale aspect fits well as Jill decides an ending where everyone but the Dragon is Happy is not really a 'they all lived happily ever after' ending and endeavours to fix it. This could spark discussion of how to 'fix' other stories or imaginative activities considering how to find other villains' positive purposes.
The illustrations are graphic and take inspiration in parts from medieval tapestry; illuminated parchment and inked block print styles across the book. The way the Dragon comes out of the storybook is incredibly creative with the page falling apart and letters and knights tumbling as Jill pulls him out.
The fractured fairy tale aspect fits well as Jill decides an ending where everyone but the Dragon is Happy is not really a 'they all lived happily ever after' ending and endeavours to fix it. This could spark discussion of how to 'fix' other stories or imaginative activities considering how to find other villains' positive purposes.
September 24, 2017
Beautifully illustrated but the story makes jumps of logic that mean it feels disjointed. The dragon says he doesn't belong in the real world because all he can do is flame, though you don't ever see him breathe fire. It's just a bit clumsy in execution.
December 6, 2016
3.5- Cute story! The illustrations are interesting; many rich colors, and the difference between Jill's book "world" and her "real world" is neat. Cool ending!
May 15, 2017
a truly lovely illustration style, AND a pretty great story.
August 6, 2020
Wonderful book filled with beautiful illustrations and a charming story. Cannot wait to read more books from this author to my little girl.
December 22, 2015
I first fell in love with Lesley Barnes's illustrations when I saw her work in the 2012/13 Picture Hooks exhibition at the National Gallery in Edinburgh (I am also a huge fan of Ross Collins who served as her mentor). Today we went back to see the newest exhibition of Picture Hooks mentorship children's book illustrations and I was delighted to find this book in the gallery gift store. And I loved not only the gorgeous illustrations, but the wonderful story in which a girl named Jill helps rewrite a happy ending for a lonesome dragon. Spectacular! This will be my new go-to purchase for birthday gifts for Violet's friends.
January 17, 2021
Well look at these colors and graphics! Love, love, love. Dragon is unhappy ans Jill is going to find a way to perk him up. She does and I'm not sure she finds the most useful solution, but everyone is satisfied at the end!
Oh, what colorful and graphic images. I will admit I am in love with this book for the pictures, but that does not mean I didn't enjoy the story. Jill is a problem solver & she wants to help this dragon. She does come up with a solution! You may find it a bit silly. Have fun with the problem solving.
Oh, what colorful and graphic images. I will admit I am in love with this book for the pictures, but that does not mean I didn't enjoy the story. Jill is a problem solver & she wants to help this dragon. She does come up with a solution! You may find it a bit silly. Have fun with the problem solving.
June 9, 2016
Jill notices at the end of her book that the “happily ever after” did not apply to the defeated and miserable dragon. Read how Jill and her new friend create a much happier ending with the help of some delicious toast! And enjoy Barnes' utterly original yet timeless illustrations. (I was reminded of Greek pottery, the movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and the artwork was still somehow totally unique!) Sometimes you should TOTALLY buy a book for the cover!
April 19, 2016
Beautiful book with absolutely gorgeous illustrations. This sweet story is about a girl who wants to help a dragon in the book she reads that does not get a happily ever after. She helps the dragon find something he is good at so that the king and people in the fairy tale will appreciate him.
August 1, 2016
Illustrations are reminiscent of Alice & Martin Provensen's work especially from their work in The Golden Treasury Of Myths and Legends
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
March 3, 2025
What spectacular illustrations there are in this gorgeous book! There are a lot of fabulous books about dragons and this one is a most worthy addition to the genre. The story is just a little bit weak, but it is certainly a great read for a young child.
April 20, 2016
I loved the pictures in this book and the story was cute, but it just did not get me in the heart. I felt like I wanted more.
May 15, 2016
Stunning images and a fun heroine. I wrote this review for Babyology: http://babyology.com.au/sunday-arts/j...
August 2, 2016
Love the attitude and illustrations.
Read
February 22, 2017Barnes, Lesley. Jill & Dragon. Tate, 2016. Print.
Jill doesn't like the ending of her book, so she goes inside and changes it by befriending the dragon who was the original villain of the story. Barnes uses color, fonts, and stylistic changes to visually differentiate between Jill's world and the story world, and the playful placement of words and letters on the page highlight the metatextual themes. The story reminded me a great deal of Edith Nesbit's "The Last of the Dragons."
Jill doesn't like the ending of her book, so she goes inside and changes it by befriending the dragon who was the original villain of the story. Barnes uses color, fonts, and stylistic changes to visually differentiate between Jill's world and the story world, and the playful placement of words and letters on the page highlight the metatextual themes. The story reminded me a great deal of Edith Nesbit's "The Last of the Dragons."
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews