“Who Wants to be Friends With a Dragon?” by Linda Drattell & Eve Marie Little

• 07/31/2023
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Who Wants To Be Friends With A Dragon?

Linda Drattell and Eve Marie Little
Dorrance Publishing Co. (2023)
ISBN: 979-8888129944
Reviewed by Leigh Kimberly Zoby for Reader Views (07/2023)

“Who Wants To Be Friends With A Dragon” by Linda Drattell and Eve Marie Little is an adorable children’s storybook featuring a lonely dragon desperate for acceptance and meaningful friendships. Dragon has been feared and rejected by everyone he comes in contact with so many times he has become depressed and elusive. One day, as he walks through a forest, he hears laughter and shouts of joy. Wondering where these lovely sounds were coming from, the Dragon crept closer to a school playground and hid behind a tree.

For a brief moment, Dragon is happy as he imagines running and playing with the children. When a young boy spots Dragon, he asks why he is hiding. Dragon tries to ignore the child believing that he will reject him as so many others had before. To Dragon’s surprise, they become best friends, making daily play dates and celebrating birthdays together. Through this young boy’s friendship, Dragon can break away from feelings of self-doubt and loneliness to find the unique qualities he possesses which make him a great friend.

The collaborative works of authors Linda Drattell and Eve Marie Little make “Who Wants To Be Friends With A Dragon” an enjoyable tale for children and adults alike. The main focal point lies in all people being unique and having different qualities which are specific to the individual. The authors do an excellent job expressing Dragon’s anxiety as he worries about the possibility of rejection, and showing the bravery to stand tall and love what makes him different.

I like how the authors bring both characters’ perspectives to light for the reader to consider. The child must look past other opinions to make a loyal friend. The Dragon must face his fears and learn to accept and be proud of who he is. The word flow is simple yet entertaining and to the point enough to keep children’s attention from start to finish. There are multiple teachable moments within “Who Wants To Be Friends With A Dragon” for parents and teachers to expand upon. I believe this book will make an exceptional addition to any school, church, daycare, or family library.