When You Meet a Dragon

February 15, 2024
In this parable, a tot discovers and implements activism. A small, brown-skinned child, accompanied by a racoon sidekick, tries to alert people in a city to an impending threat: an enormous, sky-filling, fire-breathing dragon. Initially folks laugh or deny that dragons exist, but the protagonist's persistence overcomes resistance, and soon many pitch in to fill water buckets. A bigger child who's "wise and patient" (and fearless) climbs a ladder to the dragon's ear to try to persuade it but fails. Everyone works hard to clean up the smoldering consequences. The dragon defies them, but the dozen committed people (and animals, including the raccoon, a squirrel, a dog, and a cat) vow never to give up. Soon their numbers grow as people from other towns arrive to help. The dragon, looking miffed, finally just departs--but leaves a huge mess and doubts in its wake. Will it return? Maybe, but everyone now knows how to rally others and work together, and no one will have to "face it alone." The illustrations are cheery; the characters are stylized but easily differentiated, and pages where the colorful art leaves no room for a vacuum alternate with well-composed designs against white space. The dragon is awe-inspiring but not nightmarish. Teaches a worthwhile lesson in grit and teamwork. (Picture book. 6-8)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

April 1, 2024
Grades 1-3 A child is playing outside when a huge, looming shadow appears--a dragon. But it's too much for just one kid to deal with, and that means getting people--even animals, like a raccoon, pup, and squirrel--to pitch in and take it on. But though the people try everything from blasting the dragon with a fire hose to trying to reason with it, the menacing dragon is unfazed and soon wreaking fire-breathing havoc. The progressively dire situation feels hopeless, but "you and your friends keep each other going. 'Don't give up, ' you say. 'We can't give up!'" As increasing numbers join together to stand up to the dragon, it eventually departs, and the people cheer in the street, sharing insights and appreciation for the importance of teamwork. The descriptive second-person narrative is enhanced in vibrant cartoon illustrations with whimsical details and varying perspectives, depicting the city setting, the determined crowd, and the toothy dragon in dynamic scenarios. This engaging dragon story also emphasizes how approaching issues or obstacles that might feel overwhelming with persistence and with a supportive group of allies can lead to positive outcomes.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 1, 2024

PreS-Gr 3-When a dragon starts wreaking havoc on a city, what do its denizens do? Rally their friends, of course! Written in the second person, this picture book shows that a united community can tackle even the biggest, scariest problems. The prose does come off as a bit preachy and on-the-nose at times, but the illustrations tell a hopeful, dynamic story with a colorful cast of characters. The people fighting the dragon are a variety of ages, abilities, skin tones, and genders, while the main character looks young with dark skin and hair. Even a raccoon joins in! The ending is happy but not clear-cut, and the story is more about the journey, regardless. The short sentences and narration make the book a good choice for read-alouds, while bright, lively images provide plenty of visual interest. Possibly triggering to some children are the intense images of overturned cars and smashed windows, but the friendliness of the illustrations and a big dose of courage prevent the story from being frightening. VERDICT A heavy-handed but dynamically illustrated story about the power of community.-Shelby Hogle

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2024
An encounter with a dragon serves as a thoughtful metaphor for the need to ask for help when something is wrong. Told in second person, the text encourages building a strong support network: "You have a lot of friends now, and you understand how to work together. Even if the dragon does return, you'll never have to face it alone." Not-too-scary illustrations use varied perspectives.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)