Storybook Series, Vol. 3: The Reluctant Dragon

Although the most marketable, the title story The Reluctant Dragon is actually the weakest of the three tales in this series which features hostess Hayley Mills introducing older animated stories that have been collected together for reissue on home video. But by weakest, we don't mean poor. John Carradine and Louis Nye lend their voices to the title story which follows the adventures of a dragon who would rather write poetry than crispy-critter the valley residents. Still, stereotypes are hard to overcome, and the village people send for St. George (even though the dragon hasn't caused them any harm) to do his sword trick and behead the beast. Luckily, for the dragon, a young boy intercedes on his behalf, and convinces St. George that not all dragons are fire-breathing monsters. In Someone New, a minimally animated, but very touching story, a boy wanders through his house re-examining his toys and wondering what's missing. What he discovers is that the "boy" himself is missing, replaced by a budding adolescent with new interests and concerns. And in the most delightful story, The Ghost in the Shed, a family is disturbed by the ghost of a foully murdered traveler who lives in their shed-and wants a little recognition. He begins with small-scale stuff (leaving the door open), but the family seems so bent on ignoring him, that he must steadily escalate his attention-getting devices until the family and the ghost are engaged in an all-out war. Droll humor and superb comic timing make this tale a treat for both young and old. These are excellent stories, very affordably priced. Three other volumes are available in the series. Highly recommended. (Available from most distributors.)