Dragons Love Tacos

Starred review from April 9, 2012
Rubin and Salmieri (Those Darn Squirrels!) are two of the weirdest, funniest guys working in kids’ lit today. The team lets its geek flag fly in an obsessive how-to guide for would-be dragon taco party hosts. Why a taco party? As Rubin explains, “The only things dragons love more than parties or tacos, is taco parties.” If further proof is required, Salmieri—whose poker-faced watercolor, gouache, and color pencil drawings set a benchmark for oddball observational humor—shows one odd, scaly creature with a carryout bag from “Taco Cave” and another beaming with anticipation as it eagerly circles the date for a taco party on its taco-themed calendar. But beware: even if all the tips and rules are followed to the letter (on quantity: “The best way to judge is to get a boat and fill the boat with tacos”), all will be for naught if spicy salsa makes its way into the taco filling. In fact, the dragons will bring a whole new meaning to “housewarming.” Off-kilter fun for those who like their picture books (and salsa) zesty and fresh. Ages 3–5. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House.

April 15, 2012
The perfect book for kids who love dragons and mild tacos. Rubin's story starts with an incantatory edge: "Hey, kid! Did you know that dragons love tacos? They love beef tacos and chicken tacos. They love really big gigantic tacos and tiny little baby tacos as well." The playing field is set: dragons, tacos. As a pairing, they are fairly silly, and when the kicker comes in--that dragons hate spicy salsa, which ignites their inner fireworks--the silliness is sillier still. Second nature, after all, is for dragons to blow flames out their noses. So when the kid throws a taco party for the dragons, it seems a weak device that the clearly labeled "totally mild" salsa comes with spicy jalapenos in the fine print, prompting the dragons to burn down the house, resulting in a barn-raising at which more tacos are served. Harmless, but if there is a parable hidden in the dragon-taco tale, it is hidden in the unlit deep, and as a measure of lunacy, bridled or unbridled, it doesn't make the leap into the outer reaches of imagination. Salmieri's artwork is fitting, with a crabbed, ethereal line work reminiscent of Peter Sis, but the story does not offer it enough range. A wandering effort, happy but pointless. (Picture book. 3-5)

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June 1, 2012

PreS-Gr 2-The goofy creators of Those Darn Squirrels! (2008) and Those Darn Squirrels and the Cat Next Door (2010, both Clarion) are back with another wacky story. Given the cover image of a red dragon gorging itself on tacos and the taco-filled endpapers, readers are prepared for the sheer silliness of this offering. A bemused young dragon fan and his dog are given the inside scoop on the best way to entertain dragons-with a taco party. A helpful narrator offers the boy advice about planning the festivities, informing him that dragons love tacos-beef tacos, chicken tacos, gigantic tacos, and tiny tacos. But those preparing to host these parties are cautioned to keep any kind of spicy salsa off the menu or suffer the consequences. After filling his house with tacos, getting rid of the salsa, and letting the party begin, the host is sure he's properly prepared, but he's missed the jalapenos peppers listed in the fine print of the "Totally Mild Salsa." Uh, oh! The watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil cartoon illustrations are the real stars here, extending the frivolous text. Regardless of, or perhaps because of, the absurdity of the story, this tale should be a big hit with anyone with an affinity for dragons.-Sharon Grover, Hedberg Public Library, Janesville, WI

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