Written and illustrated by David Biedrzycki
Charlesbridge Publishing | 2011
Buy now!
Buy now!
“Some kids want a dog. Others would like a cat.” But Hameer
wants… “a dragon!” And Hameer is smart enough to know that getting a dragon is
just like getting any other pet: you have to choose which kind you want
carefully, bring him to the doctor for his shots, name him (Sparky!), give him
a home, feed him, and bring him for walks. And, just like any other pet, if
he’s a naughty dragon, he might have to go to obedience school. Unlike other
pets, though, Sparky can act as the campfire on camping trips, melt all the
snow in the neighbor’s driveways, and may accidentally terrorize the
kite-flying community. He’s also a great friend to have around in case of
bullies or Brussels sprouts.
I cannot begin to express how very much I love this book—the
joys are too many to count. The story is endearing, quirky, fast-paced and just
so incredibly funny. And the play of text and illustration! Biedryzycki
masterfully builds text that needs illustration and illustration that adds so many
layers to the book. Each page has tons of things to look at and enjoy from the
intraiconic text, to a mouse living in Hameer’s room, to the reactions of pets
and people near Sparky. Both Hameer and Sparky, through text and illustration,
are exciting, active, and completely round characters. And, for the love of all
things children’s book related, check out the endpapers! In general, a joy. And
a book I’ve been reading three times a day.
Siân Gaetano is, before all else, a reader. She is currently
pursuing an M.A. in Children’s Literature at Simmons College (to be
finished in Summer 2013) and working evenings serving the good people
of Boston food
and beverage. She was an editorial intern at Charlesbridge for the Fall 2012 semester.
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