“What Good is a Dragon?” by Patrick Carlson

What Good is a Dragon?

Patrick Carlson
Independently Published (2022)
ISBN: 978-8843398736
Reviewed by Diana Coyle for Reader Views 4/2023

It’s the Queen’s birthday in “What Good is a Dragon?” by author Patrick Carlson. The King needs help getting his birthday gift to her and enlists a boy named Alexander to get the gift to the Queen before her birthday party. Alexander puts the gift, an adorable green baby dragon, in his backpack and sets out on a grand adventure to the Queen’s castle. Along his travels, he meets different people such as an ogre, a knight, and even a mermaid – each offering gifts of their own to give to the Queen. When Alexander arrives at the Queen’s castle, he’s confronted by an enormous, dangerous-looking kraken. Will the Kraken allow Alexander to enter the Queen’s castle?

I have to say this was one of the cutest dragon stories I have read in a long time. I loved the idea that a King gave the thoughtful gift of a baby dragon. I must admit, I found myself very curious as to why the Queen would even have any use for a baby dragon. But the author came up with such a clever storyline that children and adults alike will find it to be a perfectly reasonable gift to give the Queen. When the reason for the gift was revealed, I literally laughed out loud at the perfect ending to a fun and entertaining story.

As Alexander traveled, he encountered a few people he never thought he’d meet on his journey. Each character played an integral part in this charming tale, and I found it fascinating that each one decided to offer something of their own as a gift for the Queen. A story like this one is the perfect way to teach a child about the gift of kindness in a unique way.

It is also noteworthy that the author of this charming story illustrated it as well. The illustrations perfectly fit the storyline and I fell in love with the baby dragon myself. Mr. Carlson is a very talented author and illustrator. 

This story was written for Age Level 4-8, Grade Level Preschool-3. I highly recommend this book not only for young children but also as a way for parents to share quality time with their young children either by reading or listening as their children read. Well done, Mr. Carlson!