Book Review

Herb, The Vegetarian Dragon
by Jules Bass and Debbie Harter
Review by Bonnie Barker

A magical tale set in the days of knights and castles, the story of Herb, the Vegetarian Dragon holds an underlying message of tolerance and living in peace with others.

Herb prefers tending his vegetable patch to the ways of the other dragons in the kingdom, who feast on knights and princesses. When he is captured by the king's knights, the other dragons offer to help him, but only if he will share in their meat-eating. Herb nobly sticks to his principles and is eventually freed by a little girl. Harmony is ultimately gained in the kingdom when the dragons agree to stop eating people (but, alas, they do not become vegetarians).

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My junior reviewer, age four, thoroughly enjoys this book with its unlikely heroes and bold, lively illustrations.

One note of caution, though. This is not a book for the very young. The story and illustrations are cartoony but violent, depicting scenes such as dragons with people in their mouths, and Herb bound in chains and an executioner with axe in mid-swing.

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