When Kazul, King of the Dragons, is kidnapped, the princess Cimorene sets out in a rescue attempt with the aid of Mendanbar, King of the Enchanted Forest. The developing relationship between Cimorene, a truly independent and competent young woman, and Mendanbar, who believes most princesses are silly nitwits, provides a delightful foundation to their combined quest. After proving she didn't need a prince in DEALING WITH DRAGONS (Jane Yolen/Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1990), Cimorene now discovers that a prince of her own choosing is not necessarily something to be avoided. (Ages 9-13)

Cimorene, the princess who refuses to be proper, is back--but where is Kazul the dragon? That's what Cimorene is determined to find out. Luckily--or perhaps not-so-luckily--she's got help: Mendenbar, the not-very-kingly King of the Enchanted Forest, has joined her in her quest. So with the aid of a broken-down magic carpet, a leaky magical sword, and a fewbuckets of soapy lemon water, they set off across the Enchanted Forest to tackle the dragon-napping and save the King of the Dragons.