The Bakery Dragon

by Devin Elle Kurtz

Overview

Ember, a small dragon with an unimpressive roar, fears he will never be as good at stealing gold as other dragons, but discovers a different path to joy after a chance encounter with a baker.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593710968
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	10/01/2024
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	6,554
Product dimensions:	8.19(w) x 10.25(h) x 0.39(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Devin Elle Kurtz lives in Pasadena with her dog, Kira, and her thirty-three houseplants. She's been painting in Photoshop since the age of two when her artist mom first offered her a tablet pen. Her focus is magical scenes that combine fantasy elements with environments that feel visceral and real. She has worked in the animation industry as a background painter/designer and visual development artist since 2017. She was the lead background painter on “Disenchantment” at Rough Draft Studios from 2019-2021, and has contributed to publications such as Beasts of the Four Nations, Escape from Atlantis, How to Heal a Gryphon, and Mother of Sharks. The Bakery Dragon is her first picture book as an author-illustrator.

Editorial Reviews

★ 07/08/2024

Like all dragons, little Ember loves gold. He first appears curled up on a huge glowing pile of coins and other glittering objects, a cache that belongs to one of the big dragons who regularly rob the local village. When Ember tries his claws at theft, though, he’s a complete washout (“How adorable!” a child responds). Tired and reluctant to return to the lair empty-handed, Ember falls asleep in front of a warm bakery window. After a massive storm rolls in, the kindly local baker offers shelter, and teaches the dragon to make golden loaves of bread so delicious that the other dragons are willing to pay anything for them—and maybe even give up their larcenous ways. Kurtz (Mother of Sharks), making a polished solo debut, leavens digital illustrations reminiscent of classic animation with smart narrative pacing and a wry sense of humor. Chef’s kiss panels devoted to Ember’s apprenticeship and skill at breadmaking (even his hand-washing seems purposeful) are so winning that readers may well clamor to get their hands on some dough. Ages 4–8. Agent: Seth Fishman, Gernert Company. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

★ "Chef’s kiss panels devoted to Ember’s apprenticeship and skill at breadmaking are so winning that readers may well clamor to get their hands on some dough." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Standout visuals bring a delectable tale to life." —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher