Oh No, Little Dragon!

June 11, 2012
Thanks to the "spark in his heart," Little Dragon is having a scorching good timeâas evidenced by the "PHOOSH" sound effects and realistic digital flames that shoot from his mouth. But when an accidental "glug" of bathwater extinguishes Little Dragon's flame, he is beset by anxiety. Will anything bring back his spark? And if not, will Mama Dragon still love him? Little Dragon tries self-help (belly rubs, eating chili peppers), but it's Mama's kisses that finally do the trick. This feels more like a work in progress than Averbeck's previous books (Except If; In a Blue Room), an impression that isn't mitigated by the lazy "OH NO!" refrain and muddled motivation (the relationship between Mama and her son barely registers, yet it becomes the emotional linchpin of the story). Averbeck's artwork is more successful, especially when portraying Little Dragon's authentically toddlerlike acts of mischief and his fire-breathing talents (he's way beyond smoke ringsâhe can make hearts and pyramids, too). Despite the story's weaknesses, this endearingly impish hero should find fans. Ages 2â6. Agent: Deborah Warren, East West Literary Agency.

May 1, 2012

PreS-KB-right blue Little Dragon accidentally squelches his fire in the bathtub. He vainly attempts to rekindle it with a belly rub, layering on winter clothes, and then by consuming chili peppers. Mama's reassurance that no matter what, he is the spark in her heart, causes his insides to warm into a "phoosh" of artistic flames that cover him in soot, requiring a more cautious bath. Backgrounds of outlined stone walls and curved windows serve well to feature the feisty hero and his flames, done in oil pastels on textured paper, and digitally assembled. Details like a tiny skull stool and a Viking helmet faucet add to the viewing pleasure. Although the theme of unconditional motherly love is not new, the antics along the way provide amusement.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2012
Preschool-G Phoosh, says Little Dragon as he delights in emitting puffs of flame. But when he gets sooty, he needs a bath. Oh, no! Little Dragon hates bath time. When his wooden toy boat catches fire, he douses itand himself. Oh, no! He loses his spark. Afraid that his mother won't love him if he can't breathe fire, Little Dragon tries a series of remedies for problems that ensue. Averbeck brings this familiar theme of an enduring mother's love to a new level, almost mocking the genre with Mama Dragon's saccharin reply: I'd never stop loving you because you are the spark of my heart. Fortunately, that's not the end of the book; the full-circle narrative, with an illustration as the last word, cleverly turns a tried-and-true message on its ear. The illustrations of this endearing, whimsical blue dragon have a childlike simplicity; the flames, which look like photographed fire, lend a special effect that will ignite young listeners.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)