A Dragon's Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 28, 2015

Review

Recommending this fantasy title for cream. The husband and wife team of Yep and Ryder have created a whimsical, witty and smart fantasy that promises to be a series. In this fantasy world, dragons have humans for pets. Narrated in the first person voice of Miss Drake, a three thousand year old dragon, the story opens with her mourning Fluffy, her loyal pet's passing. Her thoughtful mourning period of thirty years is abruptly cut to two days when 10-year-old Winnie stomps into her den as directed by her deceased Aunt Amelia (Fluffy) and barrages the dragon with questions. Dragon and new pet, Winnie, slowly bond when they have to remedy a misstep with a magical sketchbook that puts the city of San Francisco in peril. Winnie is a likable, tenacious female character who has had her share of grief, poverty and instability. Each chapter heading is a quote or wise saying from the Dragon's guide about training their human pet. The quote, along with a pen and ink illustration on the first page of each chapter, provides a perfect amount of foreshadowing for the younger reader. Each chapter is well paced and lends itself to be read aloud. This is a modern day fantasy where dragons carry cellphones, look up magical elements in databases and enjoy sun-gold apples. In a human world with hidden magic, "sometimes an apple is just an apple." Lovers of intelligent dragons with heart will impatiently wait for the next installment.

Overall Book Score: excellent