Not Your Typical Dragon
Born into a family of fire-breathing dragons, Crispin has been looking forward to his seventh birthday. He expects to light the candles on his cake with his first flames, but whipped cream comes out instead. During a doctor’s visit, Band-Aids shoot from Crispin’s mouth. When he encounters Sir George, a nervous young knight sent out to slay a fire-breathing dragon, Crispin can manage only bubbles. It’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Their fathers meet in a fiery confrontation, but Crispin saves the day and others recognize his special gift. Clearly expressing the characters’ emotions through exaggeration, Bowers’ colorful acrylic paintings capture the comic absurdity as well as the drama of the story. A Canadian writer and storyteller, Bar-el creates an entertaining and comforting tale aimed at children who long to be appreciated for what they can do, even if it’s not exactly what their parents were expecting. Preschool-Grade 2. --Phelan, Carolyn