Dragon Meets Boy

by Michael Slack, Michael Slack (Illustrator)

Overview

Michael Slack's Dragon Meets Boy is a moving friendship story about the universal joys and tender heartaches of growing up, for fans of Toy Story.

One summer day a boy meets a dragon. They become instant friends and share incredible adventures together. When Boy is sad, Dragon cheers him up. When Boy is scared, Dragon makes him feel brave. But, in time, things start to change. Boy gets bigger, while Dragon stays the same. Dragon seems so lonely, until the circle continues with a new generation with Boy’s daughter!

This deftly poignant story captures the lifelong friendship between a child and a beloved toy.

Christy Ottaviano Books

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250795779
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	06/30/2020
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	51 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Michael Slack is the creator of Bunny Built and the animal rescue picture book series that includes Monkey Truck, Elecopter, and Turtle Tug to the Rescue. He is also the illustrator of many books for young readers, including Race Car Count by Rebecca Dotlich. He is an artist and character designer, and his work has been featured in books, television, and games. He lives in Lafayette, California, with his family.

MICHAEL SLACK's illustrations have appeared in books, magazines, advertisements, and on television. His previous picture books include My Life as a Chicken and Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry.
www.slackart.com

Editorial Reviews

05/11/2020

A boy receives a plush purple dragon for his birthday, and the two become inseparable. Digital vignettes by Slack (Sharing Does Not Compute), rendered in warm, muted tones and soft, mottled textures, show the dragon supporting the child in tough moments (the first day of school) and joining with him in vivid pretend play: they “scaled tall mountains” (the playground climbing hill) and “battled the forces of evil” (a schoolyard bully). The boy grows up and goes away to college, while “Dragon stayed the same size”; one day, the dragon is put in a dark box to “guard” the boy’s other prized belongings while he goes on “his most important adventure. “Does Boy miss me?” the dragon wonders as the years pass. Some readers may find the creature’s loneliness hard to take, especially when it falls into a “deep dragon sleep.” But Slack’s calm, measured storytelling doesn’t overplay the pathos, and the relief when the box is finally opened, to reveal that the dragon will now belong to Boy’s daughter, should resonate. Ages 3–6. (June)

Publishers Weekly

"[A] sweet, heartfelt tale about love transcending generations . . . Readers will love the idea that beautiful childhood memories last a lifetime." —Kirkus Reviews

"Slack’s calm, measured storytelling doesn’t overplay the pathos, and the relief when the box is finally opened, to reveal that the dragon will now belong to Boy’s daughter, should resonate." —Publishers Weekly

"In a sequence reminiscent of the Toy Story franchise, Boy goes off to college and packs Dragon away, and Dragon suffers through lonely years until he’s pulled out of the box, and he meets Girl. Slack’s digitally painted and collaged illustrations render the fantasy world perfectly in this poignant exploration of friendship."—Booklist

From the Publisher

2020-03-29
Old toys aren’t discarded: They’re re-loved.

When a dragon meets a boy, they become best friends and have daring adventures; Dragon is Boy’s constant companion. Things change, though: Boy grows, Dragon doesn’t. Then Boy places Dragon in a special cave and asks him to guard his treasures. Eventually, after a final hug, Boy leaves. Years pass. Dragon protects the items diligently, then falls into a deep sleep. One day, hands reach into the cave, removing everything, including Dragon. Surprise: The “thief” is a small girl. Dragon receives a bigger surprise when he sees the man with her. Before the page turn, will readers guess who he is? Guess who becomes the child’s new BFF in this sweet, heartfelt tale about love transcending generations? Readers can infer that Boy, now a dad, shared happy memories of his favorite childhood plaything, and his reminiscences encouraged his daughter to seek Dragon out for her own exciting, affectionate romps. The charming, expressive, sometimes poignant illustrations, occasionally depicting familiar children’s books, present Boy and his blonde daughter as white. As child and adult, Boy has straight brown hair and wears blue glasses; he is freckled in childhood. Purple, smiley Dragon displays two nonthreatening fangs. Boy, girl, and Dragon star on delightful endpapers.

Readers will love the idea that beautiful childhood memories last a lifetime. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews