Jack & Fire Dragon

Gail E. Haley. Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $14.95 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-517-56814-9

Linocut pictures drenched in watercolor reveal the mythic adventures of Jack, of beanstalk fame, who must fight the Fire Dragaman, and wins the love of Jenny, the Dragon King's daughter. Related in a dialect of the Appalachian mountains, this story is garnished with folksy descriptions and the prankish good humor thatcharacterizes oral storytelling. A note on the back of the jacket explains many of the references for modern readers; the heroic elements meld with hearty illustrations, making this an unusual offering for folklore fans. Ages 5-9. (May)

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