Product Description

After all, dragons just happen to be perfect friend material. Jerdine Nolen and Elise Primavera team up for the unforgettable story of a young girl and her best friend . . . a dragon. Includes fun new book-related activities!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #239412 in Books
• Published on: 2002-08-31
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .15" h x 8.90" w x 10.92" l, .44 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 40 pages

From Publishers Weekly
"In this enchanting blend of the real and unreal, a spunky girl welcomes a tiny dragon into her family's home," said PW in a starred review. Ages 6-9. (Sept.)
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3?A pig-tailed, snub-nosed, African-American girl tells how an egg she finds on a "Sunday-before-supper walk" helps her discover her true calling?raising dragons. Out of the egg comes a hatchling that she names Hank, and until crowds and undue attention force him to leave, he and the girl share everything from bedtime stories to nighttime flights under the stars. Although the narrator boohoos a heap when forced to say good-bye to Hank, she leaves him in his tropical homeland with the hope of seeing him again?and with a wheelbarrow full of dragon eggs to care for. The warm, colloquial narrative has patterns and pacing reminiscent of the oral tradition. Clever supporting details are provided by the acrylic and pastel illustrations, beginning with the Old World-style map that depicts Dragon Island and Oceanus Dragonicus. The changing expressions on the creature's face, the dragon-shaped cloud after Hank has left, and the airline serving Dragon Island (Air Dragon, of course) are all illustrative details that enrich the text. That the girl brings new dragon eggs home to the exact location Hank was forced to vacate because of attracting so many crowds may puzzle some very astute listeners, but most will be absorbed by a joyous tale of friendship and adventure.?Faith Brautigan, Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, IL
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 4^-7. Fantasy and realism blend nicely in a warm-hearted picture book with a title that attracts attention and pictures that dazzle with vibrant colors. In a comfortable, conversational, matter-of-fact tone, a little African American child tells about the dragon, Hank, that she raises on her parents' farm and the helping hand that Hank lends to her family--cooling Ma's tomatoes by beating with his large wings, blowing his fiery breath to pop corn in the fields, and giving the child a ride in the sky. Wise beyond her years, the child knows Hank can't stay, so she takes him to a dragon-shaped island to be with others like himself. She doesn't return empty-handed, however; she comes back with a wheelbarrow full of dinosaur eggs. The magical beasts know their progeny is in good hands. Children may be reminded of Steven Kellogg's Mysterious Tadpole (1977), though the story and pictures in this book are tender rather than wildly funny like Kellogg's. And the focus here isn't on the beast and its antics; it's really on the strong, smart, devoted little girl, who is willing to work hard to give substance to what most people think is strictly make-believe. A book that pushes children to look beyond the obvious. Stephanie Zvirin