cover image Dragon Slayers: The Essential Training Guide for Young Dragon Fighters, Based Wholly on the Practices of the Great Dragon Slayers of Old and the Wisdom of Their Ancient Manual by Sir Wyvern Pugilist

Dragon Slayers: The Essential Training Guide for Young Dragon Fighters, Based Wholly on the Practices of the Great Dragon Slayers of Old and the Wisdom of Their Ancient Manual by Sir Wyvern Pugilist

Joyce Denham, illus. by Roger Snure. Paraclete, $23.99 trade paper (224p) ISBN 978-1-55725-684-3

What if sins were dragons and good Christians were dragon slayers? Writing as Sir Wyvern Pugilist, author Denham (Stories of the Saints) presents a handbook for brave children to join the “Ancient and Ever-Forgiving Order of Dragon Slayers” headed by the Chief Dragon Slayer, Jesus. Pugilist’s voice engages readers with its conversational tone and touches of humor as he describes dragons such as Bilgewater and Avarus and their sneaky methods of ensnaring the unsuspecting. No one is safe from their wiles, neither narrator Pugilist, who is tormented by Braggen, nor the slayers, who need special armor to protect themselves, including a “helmet of salvation,” a “belt of truth,” and a “shield of faith.” Snure’s full-page illustrations of dragons and slayers, done in rich earthy colors and jewel tones and mimicking the style of an ancient handbook, will gratify readers’ imaginations. An extensive “Compendium of Senior Dragon Slayers of Old” describes the lives of saints, such as St. Cuthbert and St. Francis of Assisi, as well as some modern-day Christian heroes, such as Sojourner Truth and Martin Luther King Jr. Entertaining and engaging for Christian readers. Ages 6–12. (Dec.)