THE BAKERY DRAGON

Ember the dragon realizes that his true skill isn’t stealing gold, but rather baking and sharing it.

Try as he might, tiny, adorable Ember doesn’t measure up to his fellow dragons, who excel at scaring villagers into handing over their gold. After a kind baker offers him shelter during a storm, he learns her trade and bakes a batch of droolworthy, toasted golden loaves. Once the other dragons get a taste of his delicious baked goods, Ember and the baker establish a successful business arrangement, and he finally finds his (baker’s) gold. Ember is an approachable dragon, with a glint in his eye, deep-red scales, and a confident, pint-size stance. Little readers will appreciate his tenacity and triumphant discovery of a special talent. The illustrations are a feast for the eyes—in particular, a scene depicting a giant chamber filled with piles of gold, even a golden toilet! Images of the cozy bakery, the sumptuous baked goods, and the gleaming sunrise are suffused with an appropriately golden glow. The message is clear, the story well told, and the dragons and baked goods appealing and fun. The red-haired baker presents white; villagers of color appear as well. The dragons vary in size, color, and features.

Standout visuals bring a delectable tale to life.