Another Review at MyShelf.Com

When a Dragon Moves In
Jodi Moore
illustrated by Howard McWilliam

Flashlight Press
May 1, 2011/ ISBN 0979974674
Children's literature Ages 4-8
Amazon

Reviewed by Willie Elliott

With the story of When a Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore, illustrated by Howard McWilliam, we have a story that reminds one of those instances where children adopt make-believe friends as companions - except in this case such a friend is a dragon.

There is very little text on each page, but there is much in the large illustrations for children to think and ask questions about. The story has another twist—the characters do not have names other than mother, father and sister. It doesn't even say boy, but the reader knows the central character is a boy. In fact, the author suggests that it is the reader who is the center of the story in the first line, “If you build a sand castle, a dragon will move in.”

The author and illustrator have captured the essence of a child dreaming up a make believe friend. The story has the ring of a child telling the story even though it was written by an adult who has not completely lost the magic of imagining what it would be like to have a dragon for a friend—even if for one day. This was a delightful read.

Reviewer's Note:
Reviewed 2011
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