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Saint George and the Dragon is a book written by Margaret Hodges and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. Released by Little, Brown, it was the recipient of the Caldecott Medal for illustration in 1985. The text is adapted from Edmund Spenser's epic poem The Faerie Queene.

Description
Saint George and The Dragon is a small book measuring 9 x 0.1 x 10.1 inches, Weighing 5.6 ounces and is 32 pages long.

Plot
This story of only 32 pages begins when the Queene of Faeries sends a knight to fight a dragon who has been wreaking havoc. He goes off with the Una the princess of the land.The knight defeats the dragon and marries Princess Una. Although the dragon has been defeated but the queen still sends him to fight other battles. Through these battles George becomes Saint George.

Characters

 * George- Red cross knight hired by the queen of Faeries to defeat the dragon.
 * Queen of Faeries- Sends George to fight the dragon.
 * Una- The Princess of the land who embarks on the mission with George.
 * Hermit- Meets George on top of a hill and informs him that his name is George.
 * Dragon- Monster who makes life hard for the people of the land until it gets slain by George.
 * Queen- Unas mother.
 * King- Promises his daughter Una to whomever slays the dragon.
 * Donkey- Una rides along side George on top of the donkey

Inspiration
The legend which was developed during the crusades is about George a man who lived in 3rd century Rome in the area we call Libya today. George was an Army Commander during the persecution of Christianity under Roman emperor Diocletian. George refused to prosecute Christians and was tortured and eventually beheaded. He became know as Saint George when christian Roman Emperor Constantine devoted a church to him.

Themes
Revelation 12:9 in the Bible describes a great dragon who managed to deceive the whole world and was casted out. The dragon in the story symbolizes the Devil and how the power of Christ is what was necessary to put it away once and for all. In the Bible story George comes across a town of pagans who have been giving offerings to the dragon. He slays the dragon and the people of the town abandon their paganism and adopt Christianity. The Red Cross knight is meant to invoke biblical symbolism.

Critical Reception
Goodreads.com calls Saint George and the Dragon "the perfect way to introduce a classic tale to a whole new generation of readers" Steve Barancik of The best children's books says "St. George appears scratched. The dragon loses some bloody appendages Thus, make your own decisions about sharing the book with younger children"

== References == == References ==

Category:Children's picture books Category:Caldecott Medal-winning works Category:1984 books Category:Children's fiction books Category:Little, Brown and Company books