George + Dragonword CL

When George is angry, he says a word so mean and ugly that it makes other people cry. One day Greataunt Agatha comes to stay with George and his sister while their parents are away. Agatha is constantly scolding George and making up rules that begin with ``don't.'' Finally George is so frustrated that he utters his nasty word. His sister begins to cry, but his aunt does not; instead, much to his surprise, she turns into a dragon. The dragon grabs George's wrist and takes him to see a strange man named Wordsworth whose job it is to make up new words. When George and Wordsworth create a word powerful enough to convert the dragon back into Greataunt Agatha, George agrees to give up his hurtful term. This brisk, offbeat tale celebrates the strength of the spoken word. Lies's whimsical black-and-white drawings highlight the imaginative events. George's experience playfully reminds children that they should choose their words carefully before they speak. Ages 7-9. (Oct.)