A wandering minstrel adopts a sweet-natured dragon pup, and his songs flow more easily and more joyful than ever before because he now has something to love. But the companions come to grief when a wicked showman kidnaps the pup to use in his show. Will the minstrel find his friend again?

Given to me as a gift from M.bellJackson, Mariane,, I was swept away by both the story and the art, both of which blended seamlessly for a book of exceeding beauty. A lone minstrel travels throughout the land searching for inspiration to make the perfect song. On a high cliff with the sea below, suddenly, there is the sound of something falling. Looking down, the minstrel begins a stunningly beautiful song as the egg breaks forth and a tiny kitten sized dragon peaks his way into life.

This is a perfect match for inspiration. The little dragon walks along the roads with the minstrel. Both are happier than they thought possible. Traveling and stopping to sing along the way, the minstrel sings his beautiful music and is rewarded with coins enough to buy food for the dragon and himself.

Alas, the beauty is stolen when a scraggly musician watches in awe at the inspiration provided by the dragon. Sneaking into the inn where they are staying, he steals the color and the tether. Heartbroken, the minstrel randomly travels down paths in the hope of rescuing his dragon. When he finally finds him, the dragon is in the King's menagerie, cooped in a cage, hovering in a corner, he is sad beyond what he thought was possible.

Claiming the dragon, the minstrel is told the King must give permission. The King and Queen's son is in a coma like state. When the minstrel begins his song written previously inspired by the dragon, the young boy gradually awakens.

Promising riches, the minstrel states he simply wants his dragon. With a statement written and produced far and wide, the message from the King states the dragon cannot be taken. Happily, the dragon and minstrel are reunited as they walk down the roads happinly together again.

I was entranced by this lovely tale with the beautiful art. I will look for other works by both these incredibly talented artists.

Five Stars! ( )

My daughter loves dragons and I love puppies and minstrels are intriguing
so I chose [The Minstrel and the Dragon Pup] for the first Author Challenge.

While Rosemary Sutcliff wrote many stories for kids, this was the first to be illustrated.
Simply, plainly, and gently this one evolved as the pair wandered and eventually searched for each other.

The tale of how The Minstrel and the Dragon Pup first met along the shore of a "high sea cliff"
with the welcoming music from the harp for the birth of Lucky is one to return to again and again.

Love then inspired new songs for The Minstrel! ( )

Oh, this is cute. Nice story, very nice illustrations, happy ending. ( )