How to Dress a Dragon

October 15, 2015
A little boy carefully explains each step of dressing a dragon. With an intimate, second-person narration, a tiny tot with tea-colored skin, a mop of brown hair, and wide, expressive eyes imparts his expertise in getting a dragon ready in the morning. As a sensible first step: "you must be prepared to catch him as he flies by." Next, to the infinite delight of all storytime crowds everywhere, it is time to put on underwear. Barclay offers up a wide array of prints: polka dot, striped, plaid, cloud-speckled, and the dragon's favorite--"froggy superhero ones." Dragons also have a few persnickety rules when dressing. Shorts are easier than pants, they only wear hats that fit between their horns, and under no circumstances will a dragon ever wear a shirt. Because, never forget, "DRAGONS...DO...NOT...LIKE...SHIRTS!" This playful romp through a familiar morning routine includes fierce, determined scowls at some fashion options and gleeful clapping (for froggy boots) at others. The ending falls a little flat, but the desired silliness carries it through. Simple, direct text and the extra-large dragon squeezing into tiny clothes--plus the underwear endpapers--make for fine fun. (Picture book. 2-5)

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March 1, 2016

Toddler-PreS-Replace the word dragon with small child, and this becomes a very useful guide to dressing toddlers and preschoolers. "Catch him as he flies by./You may have to tickle-tackle him to the floor and give him belly kisses." As a round-headed child goes about the unhurried process of dressing his dragon, there is plenty of fun and affection. The characters delight in selecting superhero underwear, in putting clothes on the wrong body parts, and in finding opportunities to tickle. There is also the all too familiar tantrum when the dragon and his caretaker face off over the issue of shirts. "DRAGONS...DO...NOT...LIKE...SHIRTS!" Fortunately, this outburst quickly dissipates, and the pair decide to put on a cape instead. The cartoonish, spring-colored illustrations are well suited to the toddler-friendly text; cheerful whimsy and cuddly charm exude from both. VERDICT This book is a perfect fit for the younger set, ideal for storytimes and one-on-one sharing.-Rachel Anne Mencke, St. Matthew's Parish School, Pacific Palisades, CA

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