OUR DRAGON

Human parents gently teach their “almost brand-new” dragon to suppress his natural but dangerous fire-breathing ability.

Fox’s well-turned rhyming quatrains clearly link these fiery lapses with toddlers’ own naughty tendencies, so much the focus of early parental guidance. The tiny dragon’s damaging exhalations result in collateral damage and real danger, which Davick depicts as a singed shoe and, dramatically, burning toys. (The parents are shown dowsing the playtime fire with a hose and water pitcher, though a final spot illustration, more appropriately, does hang a fire extinguisher next to the dragon’s cradle.) Fox clearly demonstrates that the dragon’s innately fiery outbursts, consistently and lovingly addressed by the parents, are unintentional: “And he also tries hard / to behave as required, / but flames often spout / when he’s hungry or tired.” Text and illustrations deftly convey the dragon’s bewilderment, fear, sorrow, relief, and contentment. Using flat color, simple patterns, and generous amounts of white space, Davick depicts the parents as large-bodied with light brown skin. One has shoulder-length brown hair and wears pink capri pants and a pompom-trimmed top; the other has short black hair and sports periwinkle windowpane-checked trousers. The wee dragon is portrayed with multiple shades of green, with spots, stripes, and diaphanous green wings. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Lightheartedly instructive, this collaboration will delight parents and young children alike.