Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy this ripping yarn, 20 Jan 2003
The knights of Castle Dark set out to destroy the evil dragons of Nogard, who have been scoffing their princesses, but instead they capture Herb the Vegetarian Dragon and plan his execution... Fortunately, it has a happy-ever-after ending, with dragons and people, meat-eaters and vegetarians, all living together in peace and harmony.Though there are serious messages underlying it, they are not laboured and the story does not suffer from excessive morality - it is very well told, with strong characters (notably Meathook, the leader of the dragons), some great lines (the dragons' song when they are plotting revenge on the knights is a favourite) and sumptuous illustrations. And you can't argue with the philosophy that Herb represents - not only tolerance of those who are different to you but also sticking by your principles in the face of adversity (Meathook offers to free Herb from prison if he will eat some wild boar meat, but Herb declines and trusts to fate instead). My 4-yr-old got this as a gift and it has rapidly become one of his favourite stories, which he never tires of hearing over and over. And to be honest, I don't tire of reading it to him. It is simply a wonderful story for young children, destined to become a classic children's book.
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An exciting story with a peaceful message., 24 Oct 2000
By A Customer
The princess-eating exploits of the meat-eating dragons of the forest of Nogard finally become too much for the king who initiates a dragon hunt. Unfortunately, the dragon the king's men capture is actually a vegetarian. Scorned by other dragons, Herb is, nevertheless, about to be made their scapegoat when the intervention of a little girl suggests an alternative solution. This book has all the elements which my 4 year old son declares necessary for a good story - knights, dragons and plenty of excitement. But this book is different - there is no battle or victory; the outcome is, instead, tolerance and compromise. The book is a good starting point for a discussion on how it is possible for two points of view to co-exist and on the consequences of discrimination. It also got my son very excited about growing, and eating, vegetables!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One for younger readers..., 15 Jun 2007
I ordered this for a dragon obsessed, militant vegetarian (aged 7!), after finding it in the age 5 - 8 range. On its arrival, I found it to be a wonderful book - very colourful and with a great message! However, I think my friend's 7 year old would feel quite patronised if I gave this to her for her birthday, as it's more suited to a younger child, so I've decided to keep it for younger visitors to the house, or in anticipation of my own children instead!
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