For Ages
9 to 12

The Book of Dragons is a part of the Looking Glass Library collection.

Discover the classics with Looking Glass Library, a series that offers the world’s finest literature, with introductions by some of the foremost writers of today.

In eight highly imaginative tales, beloved children’s author E. Nesbit gives us an extraordinary view of how dragons can shape the fates of princes, queens, and ordinary children alike. With an introduction by Newbery Award winner Ruth Stiles Gannett and line illustrations by H. R. Millar from the original 1901 edition, this middle-grade fantasy classic will enchant all ages.

An Excerpt fromThe Book of Dragons

1

THE BOOK OF BEASTS

He happened to be building a palace when the news came, and he left all the bricks kicking about the floor for Nurse to clear up--but then the news was rather remarkable news. You see, there was a knock at the front door and voices talking downstairs, and Lionel thought it was the man come to see about the gas which had not been allowed to be lighted since the day when Lionel made a swing by tying his skipping-rope to the gas-bracket.

And then, quite suddenly, Nurse came in, and said, "Master Lionel, dear, they've come to fetch you to go and be King."

Then she made haste to change his smock and to wash his face and hands and brush his hair, and all the time she was doing it Lionel kept wriggling and fidgeting and saying, "Oh, don't, Nurse," and, "I'm sure my ears are quite clean," or, "Never mind my hair, it's all right," and "That'll do."

"You're going on as if you was going to be an eel instead of…