This story is set in spring/summer, but somehow feels like a fall tale to me.  Does that ever happen to you?  At any rate, I’m positive there are some young readers just heading back to school who would adore this book.  Or, in the case of the more adventurous kids, eat it up.

Kenny and the Dragon is a very loose retelling of George and the Dragon, as the writer, Tony DiTerlizzi, tips you off to in the opening lines.  It’s also set in what must be a fantasy-influenced Victorian time period.  How do I know that?  Well, it was bugging my sweet daughter (as she looked over my shoulder) that Kenny, the star of the story, was both riding on an old-fashioned bicycle while living in an old-fashioned village…and reading books about dinosaurs.  So, I looked it up and yes indeed, the bicycle that later became known as the ‘Penny-farthing’ for it’s big and little wheel–

–was in use in the Victorian era, when the dinosaurs portrayed in books looked like this–

–and the popular Megalosaurs was so well-known he got a mention in Charles Dicken’s Bleak House.  Or, so I’m told–there’s a great site all about it here.

You know a book’s off to a good start when it prompts a flurry of research, and this book was truly delightful.  Aimed at the younger end of MG, it’s still a story the older kids (and adults) can enjoy, as well, and demonstrates great problem-solving without ever being obnoxious about it.  Kenny is a bit lonely as the tale begins, but finds a perfect companion when a charming dragon, Grahame, shows up on his family farm.  Of course, prejudices being what they are, not everyone believes the dragon to be charming right at first, and pretty soon a dragon-slayer is called in to dispatch said beasty.  Of course, the dragon-slayer happens to be Kenny’s one other friend!

Ensue creative solution-finding. 😀

I really enjoyed the story, but found myself captivated by the illustrations.  So, I looked the author up, and sure enough, Tony started out as an illustrator and has all kinds of awesome artwork out there in the stratosphere.  In fact, I’ve seen some of it before, which may explain why his name sounded familiar.

But, enough from me.  Let’s see what the lady of the hour, Apricot-kitty has to say:

“Well, you know I like a character who shows a proper appreciation for a nap in the sun.  And that little Kenny chap isn’t bad, aside from being a bunny, and I suppose he can’t help that.  But, carrot souffle?  Really?  That dragon is going to starve.”

Generally I feel Apricot-kitty makes some very good points, and perhaps a vegetarian dragon is a bit of a stretch.  But, in this case I think it worked.  The village being peopled with rabbits, a badger bookkeeper, and so on may not be for everyone but really worked for me.

For more Marvelous Middle Grade Monday spotlights, reviews, interviews and giveaways go to Shannon Messenger’s blog, and happy reading!

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