Scared of Halloween (Me and My Dragon)

In this companion to Me and My Dragon (2011), the boy from the first book tries to assuage his red dragon's fears about Halloween and its attendant creatures. "Poor dragon," the boy sighs. "I explained to him that mummies, zombies, and werewolves aren't real." The boy is sure that the perfect costume is just the cure that's needed, and the book is largely a canvas for Biedrzycki to show off an array of Halloween costumes that don't work for one reason or another (often fire-related). The author's deadpan narration remains a highlight, though the resolution won't come as a surprise to readers of the first book, which featured a similar Halloween scene. Ages 4-7. (July)

PreS-Gr 2--In Me and My Dragon (Charlesbridge, 2011), a boy discusses the ins and outs of having a dragon for a pet. In this follow-up story, the boy and his dragon are having a great time. The two have everything in common-except a love for Halloween. While the boy is excited to trick-or-treat, the fire-breathing beast is petrified of the werewolves, zombies, and mummies they will encounter. After a comical montage of dressing the dragon in a series of costumes that simply will not work, the boy gets a great idea: he can be a knight and the dragon can trick-or-treat as himself. And because no one will know he is a real dragon, he can even pick out his own candy. The charm of this book is in the details. While the text is straightforward, the facial expressions and information delivered by the rich and bold Adobe Photoshop images demand a second and third reading.--Jennifer Miskec, Longwood University, Farmville, VA