Unwrapping
"Dragons: Father and Son"
Authored by Alexandre Lacroix
Illustrated by Ronan Badel
Ages: 4-7
Grade Levels: K-3
Editorial Review
STARRED REVIEW "The design of the book, along with Badel's illustrations—two-page spreads in which a complete page of elegantly wonky watercolor artwork bleeds into the opposite text page—gives the story an exceptional sense of flow. Drake is pudgily adorable, and the humans...have a Quentin Blake-esque air to them. One of those modest efforts that throws off more light than one might expect from the humble glow of its parts." - Kirkus Reviews
Unwrapping some fabulous illustrations
About the book
This book is delightful. A strict, crusty dad dragon tells his son, Drake, that it's time to grow up and it is tradition that he must go out and burn down some houses to actually become a real one.
"Listen, son, you're a big boy now. It's time you behaved like a real dragon. Tomorrow, you will go to the village on the other side of the mountains, where you will burn down a few houses."
"But why?" asked Drake.
Poor Drake is caught off guard with the request, after all the only time he had hardly breathed fire was to grill himself a small slug or caterpillar as a snack. Oh my. He tosses and turns all night dreading the upcoming day and the mission his dad is sending him on. He doesn't want to do that... no way!
Being obedient to his dad Drake flies off into the village to find his targets to burn. He comes upon the perfect wooden victim and is ready to incinerate it when a little boy appears and is thrilled to meet a real, honest to goodness dragon. Drake confesses to the little boy that if he doesn't follow through with the plan he will be told off by his dad. The little boy has a great idea and takes Drake by the arm and leads him to the perfect solution to his problem... his schoolhouse. You see the boy hasn't completed his homework so Drake could actually do him a favour by burning down that old place. The students inside the classroom give Drake a change of heart just before he strikes. The kids soften and melt his heart by creating a wonderful picture of a dragon and presenting it to him as a gift. Drake cannot believe how generous and kind they are to him. He continues on his dreadful assignment to do what his dad requests him to do but each time he receives kindness and acceptance from the human contacts.
He returns back to his cave to face his domineering dad and Drake cleverly outsmarts him by spreading the warmth and kindness he receives from the humans and pours it right into the stone-cold heart of his autocratic father. Mmmmm? Wonder how the little guy manages that feat? He manages it superbly and his grouchy dad's heart gets to experience the fruit of kindness from the humans also.
The illustrations are truly spectacular! Activity abounds and the expressions on all are a sight to behold. "Dragons: Father and Son " spreads a peaceful, positive message that is successfully achieved in this magical tale about dragons. I truly love the story and especially the illustrations. I highly, highly recommend this book.
About the author
"Listen, son, you're a big boy now. It's time you behaved like a real dragon. Tomorrow, you will go to the village on the other side of the mountains, where you will burn down a few houses."
"But why?" asked Drake.
Poor Drake is caught off guard with the request, after all the only time he had hardly breathed fire was to grill himself a small slug or caterpillar as a snack. Oh my. He tosses and turns all night dreading the upcoming day and the mission his dad is sending him on. He doesn't want to do that... no way!
Being obedient to his dad Drake flies off into the village to find his targets to burn. He comes upon the perfect wooden victim and is ready to incinerate it when a little boy appears and is thrilled to meet a real, honest to goodness dragon. Drake confesses to the little boy that if he doesn't follow through with the plan he will be told off by his dad. The little boy has a great idea and takes Drake by the arm and leads him to the perfect solution to his problem... his schoolhouse. You see the boy hasn't completed his homework so Drake could actually do him a favour by burning down that old place. The students inside the classroom give Drake a change of heart just before he strikes. The kids soften and melt his heart by creating a wonderful picture of a dragon and presenting it to him as a gift. Drake cannot believe how generous and kind they are to him. He continues on his dreadful assignment to do what his dad requests him to do but each time he receives kindness and acceptance from the human contacts.
He returns back to his cave to face his domineering dad and Drake cleverly outsmarts him by spreading the warmth and kindness he receives from the humans and pours it right into the stone-cold heart of his autocratic father. Mmmmm? Wonder how the little guy manages that feat? He manages it superbly and his grouchy dad's heart gets to experience the fruit of kindness from the humans also.
The illustrations are truly spectacular! Activity abounds and the expressions on all are a sight to behold. "Dragons: Father and Son " spreads a peaceful, positive message that is successfully achieved in this magical tale about dragons. I truly love the story and especially the illustrations. I highly, highly recommend this book.
Storywraps Rating... 5+++ HUGS!!!!!
About the author
Alexandre Lacroix is the editor of Philosophies magazine in Paris, where he lives. He has written several novels for adults, but Dragons, Father and Son is his first book for children.
Ronan Badel was born in Brittany then spent time in Paris where he worked as a secondary school art teacher. He now lives in Brittany where he writes and illustrates children’s books full time.
About the illustrator
Ronan Badel was born in 1972 in Brittany, France. He studied art in Strasbourg, taught illustration at an art school in Paris, and now lives in Britanny where he works fulltime as a children’s books author and illustrator.
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