C.S. Forester, Illustrated by Robert Lawson
Story Title: Poo-Poo and the Dragons
Date of Publication: 1963 (fourth impression; first published November 1942)
Edition: Fourth Impression Hardcover
Publisher: Michael Joseph Ltd., London
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Language: English
Cover Artists: Robert Lawson (illustrations and cover design featuring orange dragons on black background)
Artists: Robert Lawson (black-and-white line illustrations throughout)
Writers: C. S. Forester
Characters: Poo-Poo (Harold Heavyside Brown), Horatio the Dragon (also called Horatio Heavyside Dragon), Ermyntrude (the second dragon), Mr. and Mrs. Brown, Policeman Macgillicuddy, Percival Coromandel, and various circus/everyday characters
First Appearances: N/A (original stories first collected and published in 1942; this is a later UK impression)
Key Facts: Poo-Poo and the Dragons is C.S. Forester’s only children’s book, originally written as bedtime stories for his son. It follows a boy named Poo-Poo who adopts a friendly (but mischievous) dragon named Horatio, leading to humorous adventures involving the family, a circus, traffic chaos, and a second dragon named Ermyntrude. The book is illustrated with charming black-and-white drawings by Robert Lawson (famous for Ferdinand the Bull and Rabbit Hill). It includes a preface “For Adults Only” explaining the story’s origins.
Page Count: Approximately 140–160 pages
Condition:
- Binding is intact but shows moderate wear: rubbing to edges, some bumping, and light soiling to the yellow/tan rear cover.
- Spine and cover illustrations remain clear and attractive.
- Interior pages have age-toning, some foxing, and minor handling marks; a few tape repairs visible on the endpapers/jacket flaps section.
- Overall grade: Good (solid reading copy with character; better than average for a 63-year-old children's book that was clearly enjoyed).
