The dangerous pet lover's guide to dragons by Lindsay Hirst & Alice McKinley

Dragons are famous for being sulky and difficult, so when someone wants to adopt one, this book is invaluable, presenting a guide to the pitfalls that may stand in their way. From an egg to a fully grown fire breathing animal, this very funny handbook will cause laughter as the reader sees the problems each stage reveals. A map is needed to navigate the boy’s trail to the egg capture. But they are all so different: the egg selected must fit in with its surroundings, and when the egg hatches, the boy must learn to bond with his pet, remembering of course not to upset it as the response can be a little warm.

Each double page presents a problem with this animal, hilarious illustrations reflecting the text with images of the dragon doing the wrong thing. In Feeding, for example, the pet owner is warned that the dragon likes meat - lots - and the accompanying illustration shows the dragon eyeing the pet dog. Another page gives hints about dragon grooming, an activity fraught with danger. He is told not to attempt to wash his dragon, and perhaps if needed then to do it when the dragon sleeps. Another double page is about exercise and another about playtime, each showing the dragon in the most extraordinary positions.

The last one, exercise, brings up the heart stopping event when the dragon does not return after he has tested his wings. The book shows many ways the owner can try and find his pet, and even the dog is excited when it returns. But the guide then warns the pet owner that the dragon may have its friends come to visit.

This very funny guide will evoke much laughter as the readers sees the connections between the text and the images, following the different things they may have to think of when getting a pet. The illustrations are wonderful, reflecting lots of different images of what a dragon looks like, provoking the reader to align their own image of a dragon with the one on the page. The story’s premise is simply hilarious and will attract lots of readers.

Themes: Humour, Dragons, Pets, Guidebook.

Fran Knight