A promising introduction to a new series featuring a winsome group of dragon pals.
Welcome to Ember City on the day young dragons learn what their Spark is.
Several dragons are attending the Spark Day Ceremony to find out what their special talents are, among them best friends Li, a green dragon who “always carries glue in case of emergencies,” Runa, a blue dragon who “thinks googly eyes can solve any problem,” and Drake, a flame-colored dragon with big ideas, as well as Fizz, a winged yellow dragon who doesn’t “always see eye to eye” with Drake. After everyone discovers their new powers, Mayor Copper leaves them with some advice: “Remember: our Sparks shine their brightest when we use them to help one another....” These words of wisdom are soon forgotten when, at the celebration party, Drake and Fizz compete to see who has the best Spark and, in the process, shatter the legendary disco ball made “with the Sparks from all the dragons on the very first Spark Day.” When their individual efforts to repair the disco ball fail, sometimes with hilarious consequences, and alternative solutions prove impractical, the young dragons finally remember the mayor’s words and work together to restore the disco ball. This first book in a new graphic series for young readers consists of six short chapters illustrated with eye-catching, action-packed illustrations and plenty of onomatopoeia to make reading fun.
A promising introduction to a new series featuring a winsome group of dragon pals. (Graphic novel. 6-9)Pub Date: Oct. 11, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5344-7524-3
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2022
In spite of the book’s flaws, dragons are very appealing, and tales for young audiences that model the scientific method are...
Zoey discovers that she can see magical creatures that might need her help.
That’s a good thing because her mother has been caring for the various beasts since childhood, but now she’s leaving on a business trip so the work will fall to Zoey. Most people (like Zoey’s father) can’t see the magical creatures, so Zoey, who appears in illustrations to be black, will have to experiment with their care by problem-solving using the scientific method to determine appropriate treatment and feeding. When a tiny, sick dragon shows up on her doorstep, she runs an experiment and determines that marshmallows appear to be the proper food. Unfortunately, she hadn’t done enough research beforehand to understand that although dragons might like marshmallows, they might not be the best food for a sick, fire-breathing baby. Although the incorporation of important STEM behaviors is a plus, the exposition is mildly clunky, with little character development and stilted dialogue. Many pages are dense with large-print text, related in Zoey’s not especially childlike voice. However, the inclusion in each chapter of a couple of attractive black-and-white illustrations of round-faced people and Zoey’s mischievous cat helps break up the narrative.
In spite of the book’s flaws, dragons are very appealing, and tales for young audiences that model the scientific method are nice to see. (Fantasy. 6-9)Pub Date: March 14, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-943147-08-3
Page Count: 96
Publisher: The Innovation Press
Review Posted Online: Dec. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
As this begins a series, readers can be sure that Princess Emma, her cousin, Prince Ben, and the gnomes who train dragons...
Princess Emma doesn’t like pink and would rather kick a soccer ball than dance, and so beginneth the lessons.
She’s in her first year at the Royal Princess Academy, where her best friend is Rapunzel. Emma fears for her team in the All-School Princess Contest, which does start badly for her: Her chocolate volcano cake, while delicious, explodes all over everyone, and she doesn’t feel the rocks under her mattress. But Emma saves the day single-handedly when she is tasked to “create a happy ending” and rescues Rapunzel, Alex and Moriah from their various difficulties (Rapunzel, her hair newly cut, is trapped in a tower). What Emma really wants is to study dragons, which have been forbidden freedom of the kingdom because it is thought that they are dangerous for the environment. But when her class finally gets to visit the dragon caverns, she has another adventure and convinces the kingdom that letting the dragons roam free is better for both forest and waters. After a birthday surprise, Emma writes a letter to the princesses who will follow, reminding them that they can write “our OWN stories.” It’s all very affirming, and the illustrations are squiggly and cute, but it is awfully preachy.
As this begins a series, readers can be sure that Princess Emma, her cousin, Prince Ben, and the gnomes who train dragons and riders will be seen again. (Fantasy. 6-9)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3750-1
Page Count: 112
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: July 25, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2012
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