Review by Booklist Review
Rosie longs to be included in the other village children's fun activities, but she's too shy to approach them. Meanwhile, solitary young dragon Rasmus dreams of growing wings and flying. But when their paths cross, they quickly become friends. Rosie introduces Rasmus to teatime, doing pirouettes, and skipping rope; Rasmus shows Rosie his kite, balloons, and a book featuring a full-grown, winged dragon. Rosie is determined to help Rasmus fly, but her ideas (like latching him to balloons and then a kite) prove unsuccessful. However, giving him a special present proves uplifting when Rasmus' wings unexpectedly appear, and he soars at last. Though now time to part (why is unexplained), each goes on with more confidence and courage and once home, Rosie's inspired to reach out and meet someone new. Expressive watercolor illustrations, dominated by soft pink and green, depict the pair's experiences, individually and together, in a range of scenes, including wide-angle landscapes and playful montages, which nicely capture Rosie's and Rasmus' moods. A charming tale of what it means to be and make new friends.--Shelle Rosenfeld Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Geddes (the Lulu Bell series) pays tribute to friendship in this tale of a lonely girl and a friendly young dragon. Pink-cheeked Rosie is a wallflower who wishes other kids would notice her; Rasmus is a wingless dragon who wishes he could fly. When Rosie appears atop the hill where Rasmus resides, he offers her a flower and the pair become fast friends. The girl teaches the dragon everything she knows (how to execute a pirouette and drink tea like a queen), and the dragon shares his own favorite things, all of which involve taking to the skies. Rosie encourages ("One day you'll fly. I know it!") and promptly begins strategizing. Early efforts flop, but after receiving a gift from Rosie, Rasmus finally sprouts tiny wings that take him airborne. In a poignant scene, both friends shed tears upon the realization that it's time for Rasmus to fly away. Rosie is alone once again-until she finds the courage to initiate friendship with someone new (by sharing a flower, of course). Geddes's soft watercolor palette heightens the quiet sweetness of this story about two characters learning to venture forth. Ages 4-8. Agent: Jill Corcoran, Jill Corcoran Literary Agency. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A lonely little girl befriends a wingless dragon. Every day, in a seaside village "with cobblestone streets, a water fountain, and an ice cream stand," Rosie watches the other children laugh and play. She wishes they "would see her." Every day, from his tree overlooking the village, Rasmus watches birds twirl in the sky. He wishes he could fly. When Rosie approaches Rasmus' tree and he offers her a flower, the two become fast friends. Rosie teaches him to jump rope and pirouette; Rasmus shows her his flying kite, floating balloons, and favorite book (starring a soaring dragon). With clever kid logic, Rosie devises adaptations to help him fly, encouraging him in speech bubbles to no availuntil, out-of-the-blue, Rasmus sprouts his own wings. His wish granted, Rasmus sadly bids Rosie adieu (why he must leave is never explained); Rosie sadly resumes watching the other children play until, one day.Geddes' large-font text is lightly rhythmic; her pale, fuzzy pastels are soothing and humorous, and her protagonists' sniffles and smiles endearing. Unfortunately, her heavy focus on Rosie's helping Rasmus to fly turns him into a project as much as a friend. Additionally, if readers interpret Rasmus' missing wings as a disability, his obsession with flying and his abrupt wing growth may call to mind such overused tropes as a disabled character pining to be nondisabled and their miraculous recovery. Rosie is white; there is some diversity among the other children.Despite its cuddly characters, this uplifting but unevenly developed friendship tale doesn't quite soar. (Picture book. 4-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
