The Deliverers of Their Country.

New York, NY North South Books, 1996. Hardcover First Ed USA, First Printing indicated. First Ed USA, First Printing indicated. Near Fine in Very Good+ DJ: Book shows only minute indications of use; binding square and secure; text clean. DJ shows light wear to extremities; mild rubbing; light chipping at top edge and corners; price unclipped; mylar-protected. No longer 'As New', but remains close to it. 4to. Illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger. A Michael Neugebauer Book. NOT a Remainder, Book-Club, or Ex-Library. Hardback with DJ. (Grade 3-5). First published in Strand Magazine in 1899, this story appeared in Nesbit's The Complete Book of Dragons (Macmillan, 1973; now out of print) with pen-and-ink illustrations by Erik Blegvad. Two children save England from being overrun by dragons. Captured by a large child-eating dragon and taken to a cave, they discover the "Universal Tap-room." They half turn off the tap labeled "Sunshine" and turn on the ones called "Fair to moderate" and "Showery" since dragons cannot survive in such weather, "and both taps stuck. . .which accounts for our climate." This single-story edition features large-size pages printed on fine quality paper and 11 beautifully composed watercolors. Zwerger's illustrations enhance the story, which is probably best read to a child who can sit close enough to the reader to examine the pale, evocative pictures closely. Text covers each entire facing page and could be intimidating, thus the book's best use is as a read-aloud. British terminology is generally understood in context, and the turn-of-the-century costuming adds interest. Nesbit's humor and distinctive clear style carry the story briskly along, while Zwerger's illustrations lend it great charm.