Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that breaking out of expected roles is the challenge here. It's all positive and kid-friendly ... and not just for girls!
Families can talk about expectations and stereotypes: What are they, and why do we care so much about them? Why did Jane's mother and father laugh when she said she wanted to be a knight? What would you think about Jane if she were one of your friends? Have you ever wanted to do something or be something that is different from what everyone else expects? Could you be as brave and persistent as Jane? Could you do the unexpected?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Patricia Tauzer
This cute little story matches a spunky girl character, a wistful jester, a confused dragon with a challenging message to do the unexpected. Jane, destined to be a lady-in-waiting to the queen, hates to sew and yearns to be a knight. Her only real friend, the court jester, also dreams of knighthood but realizes he is not brave enough. The prince-snatching dragon bullies people because he is expected to, but he really just wants to be loved instead.
Now a computer-animated TV show of the same name, JANE AND THE DRAGON tells a somewhat predictable story, but is enchanting all the same. With her wild red hair billowing out from under her helmet, the armored Jane shows a kind of good-hearted, undaunted spirit that is meant to inspire. Still, she feels like just one of us. We expect her to make mistakes, get herself in trouble, and come out a hero in the end.
Martin Baynton hoped to "reverse the treatment of fairytale heroines," and he has succeeded with Jane. His colored pencil drawings are soft, yet strong just like his main character. And, his message is a good one.
From The Book
Jane followed the dragon to his mountain lair. "Release the boy!" she demanded in her sternest voice.
The dragon laughed.
"Make me!" he roared, and his hot breath singed the plume on Jane's helmet.
Plot Summary:
When Jane says she wants to be a knight, everyone laughs at her, that is, except for the court jester. She does not let that stop her. Whenever she gets the chance, she practices, secretly watching and learning from the real knights. One day, she gets her chance and does the unexpected.
Related Books:
Other Tales of Courtly Girls Who Do the Unexpected:
The Princess Knight by Cornelia Funke
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert N. Munsch
Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole
Other Jane Adventures:
Jane and the Magician
The Dragon's Purpose
And the TV show Jane and the Dragon
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