Review by Booklist Review
Dragons are famous hotheads, and young Fergal a goggle-eyed cutie with tiny wings is a good little guy, except when he has to do something he doesn't want to do, like eat all his veggies before dessert or play goalie in a soccer game. Then anger sets in, turning his golden snout a bright red, and he breathes fire on whatever is thwarting him, leaving its incinerated remains in his wake. The eye-popping acrylic, gouache, and digital-media illustrations provide lots of fire, smoke, and cinders, along with comic details. Unfortunately for Fergal, his explosive temper tantrums get him into trouble and cause his friends to avoid him, until a heart-to-heart with his mother helps him to handle his anger. Once the dragon understands that this fiery feeling can be kept in check, he begins noticing how other animals manage their frustrations: for instance, Hare runs off his anger and Wolf howls at the moon. A useful, relatable lesson, enchantingly told.--Connie Fletcher Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Newcomer Starling introduces Fergal, an orange dragon with big eyes and a long snout. Normally, "he's a friendly little fellow," but he gets mad when others tell him what to do, from eating greens to missing a turn. Starling's mixed-media illustrations show Fergal's fiery path of destruction as he obliterates the vegetables on his plate and incinerates a board game. When his temper leads his gentle woodland animal friends to abandon him ("It's not FAIR," he says), his lanky dragon mother shows him tough love: "Well Fergal, dinner is in the trash, Bear's pastries are burned and no one can play soccer, and that's not fair." Counting to 10 when he feels angry helps the dragon to "cool down" and make up with his friends-who, he learns, also have their angry moments and coping mechanisms. Starling's deep-feeling protagonist models to readers how one can learn to express emotions while being mindful of others. Ages 3-6. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A young dragon erupts in fits of fiery fury.Fergal dislikes being told what to do and when to do it; this state of affairs just is "not FAIR." Whenever things aren't fair, Fergal responds with a mouthful of FIRE, destroying everything in the flames' way. Though he's contrite afterward, he can't control his blazing temper despite unfortunate consequences that inevitably ensue. When friends reject his destructive ways, Fergal bemoans the unfairness of that situation to Mom, who explains how badly his behavior has hurt others and himself and then shares her own method for calming down when angry. Fergal tries it soon after and it works, and then he discovers that his animal pals employ useful temper-tempering strategies, too. In the end, Fergal learns to use his fire for his friends' benefit. This cute British import succinctly and not so subtly conveys a message about tantrums that should settle comfortably on the ears and minds of young readers/listeners. The included strategies may prove helpful to children and harried adults struggling to calm angry youngsters during frustrated outbursts. The illustrations, rendered in acrylic, gouache, and digital media, are appealing and expressive; animal characters represent different species and are depicted in various colors, sizes, and shapes. Tempers will cool once kids meet Fergal. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
