Prince Lir doesn't have the qualities of an heir to the throne. He can't ride a horse, lift a sword, or summon the wolfhounds. His stepmother manages to get him banished from the kingdom, and sends him on an impossible task; he must rescue a maiden from an aging dragon. 

Once there was a prince . . . Colfer has penned a marvelous fairy tale complete with black magic, a fire-breathing dragon, a deposed prince, and a beautiful maiden. Richly illustrated by PJ Lynch, it's beautiful enough to live on the coffee table and I'm certain will be read and re-read.