Review - You Don't Want a Dragon!

You Don't Want a Dragon!
by Ame Dyckman
illustrated by Liz Climo
Date: 2020
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

Be careful what you wish for — again! This follow-up to You Don't Want a Unicorn points out the hilarious mishaps that come with adopting a dragon.

Our protagonist wishes (much to the narrator's continued chagrin) for a pet dragon. Though initially thrilled, the kid quickly discovers that dragons aren't quite as awesome as they originally thought. From the scooting to the digging to the fire-breathing, our Kid is dismayed that they still haven't found their perfect pet. Little do they know, that pet might just be right around the corner...

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a simple, but fun, picture book about a kid who wishes for a dragon... and gets more than he bargained for.

I can't help but feel that I'm missing something by not having read You Don't Want a Unicorn! first. There are lots of unicorn references throughout this book, in both the text and illustrations. That's not to say that you can't get something out of it on its own; I'm just more curious now about the first book.

There are some silly, puerile moments here, but overall, it's a fun take on dragons and the things we tend not to think about when we're wishing for them as pets.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - Dandy

Dandy
by Ame Dyckman
illustrated by Charles Santoso
Date: 2019
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

From popular author Ame Dyckman and rising star Charles Santoso comes the laugh-out-loud story of a father desperate to destroy the dandelion marring his perfectly manicured lawn, and his daughter's fierce attempts to save it.

When Daddy spots a solitary weed in his lawn, he's appalled (along with all of his neighborhood friends). But his daughter Sweetie has fallen in love with the beautiful flower, even going so far as to name it Charlotte. Racing against time and the mockery of his friends, Daddy has to find a way to get rid of the errant dandelion without breaking his little girl's heart.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is pretty stinking cute.

A leonine family's suburban utopia is marred by the appearance of a single dandelion in the yard. *gasp!* But before Daddy can get to it, his daughter Sweetie has already fallen in love with the flower... and even named it. Daddy tries in vain to get rid of Charlotte, but it seems that Sweetie is always around. By the time he finally gets his chance, he's not so sure anymore... because he knows how much Charlotte means to his daughter.

With touches of humour, this sweet little story is relatable to anyone who's ever lived in the suburbs. Even if you're not obsessed with weeds, one of your neighbours probably is. This book shows what happens when that obsession is taken to its logical conclusion... and it isn't pretty (although it is kind of funny).

The illustrations are super cute, and the accompanying text strikes just the right note.

I'd definitely recommend this one to readers looking for books about the father/daughter dynamic, as well as to readers who enjoy seeing anthropomorphized animals do things like mow the lawn.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 5/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4.33 out of 5

Review - Read the Book, Lemmings!

Read the Book, Lemmings!
by Ame Dyckman
illustrated by Zachariah OHora
Date: 2017
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

The team behind the New York Times bestselling Wolfie the Bunny and Horrible Bear! is back with with new Arctic characters in this hilarious learning-to-read adventure!

Aboard the S.S. Cliff, First Mate Foxy reads an interesting fact: "Lemmings don't jump off cliffs." But Foxy can't get the lemmings on the Cliff to read his book, too. They're too busy jumping off.

After a chilly third rescue, exasperated Foxy and grumbly polar bear Captain PB realize their naughty nautical crew isn't being stubborn: The lemmings (Jumper, Me Too, and Ditto) can't read. And until Foxy patiently teaches his lemmings to read the book, he can't return to reading it, either!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

No, the title is not an instruction for some excitable fandom. This is a book about actual lemmings, who continually find themselves plunging into the sea because they are just so darn stupid.

While the premise is cute, there seems to be a bit of a plot hole: the lemmings aren't actually jumping off cliffs. They're jumping from a cargo ship called the S.S. Cliff... but since the lemmings can't read, how do they even know what the ship is called? Hmm...

The pictures are just okay for me; I'm not a big fan of the limited colour palette. I also don't quite believe that the lemmings, as stupid as they are, could learn to read in one afternoon. Let's not give kids unrealistic expectations here.

The title is actually the most amusing part of this for me. Kids might enjoy the repetitive nature of the jumping and rescues, but I found it all just a little bit silly.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 2/5
Illustrations: 2/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5