Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Finding "no vacancy" at an overcrowded local school, a group of human children head to dragon school, instead--an adventurous-sounding conceit that belies a deeper takeaway about finding common ground. Second-person narration does its best to sell the institution's fit ("You'll take naps on huge piles of gold. Wow, so comfy!"), but the pupils grow incredulous when flying enters the curriculum, interrupting the narrator's sales pitch: "Okay, real talk. When you go to dragon school, you might not fit in." Acknowledged concerns range from being deemed "too flightless" or seen as a potential "tasty snack." But the sly speaker soon offers a counter perspective, hinting at ways that the classmates might be able to work together ("It's not like you could teach the dragons how to roast marshmallows and make s'mores") for an end result that leaves everyone looking forward to collaborative learning. Chua's spray-textured digital renderings play up Campbell's jolly humor. Human characters are portrayed with various abilities and skin tones. Ages 3--6. (June)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--What if a school was overflowing with kids and had no room for more? They could head off to dragon school, where students of every culture and age can attend the "best place in town!" The kids may be a little different than their flying, fire-breathing classmates, but all students will brush their teeth. Just when the kids and dragons start to think the other is "weird," they discover that dragon school is a place where no matter how different, all come together to teach one another new things and find ways to collaborate. This tale is told directly to readers in a second-person voice that is engaging and funny, easily finding a place among strong read-alouds and back-to-school books. Author and illustrator know their audience well and show it by asking questions of readers in the text and in the purposeful use of perspective in the illustrations, as well as the varied facial expressions on the kids and the dragons. The strong emotions that come with going to any school, let alone dragon school, are visible via a wide range of diverse students and paired with vibrant scenery that will attract a variety of readers. Digitally created dragons will become friendly favorites as readers enjoy the mix of silliness and seriousness of going to dragon school. VERDICT A must-purchase. This one will leave kids wanting more.--Danielle Schwessinger
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Attending a new school can be daunting, especially when you're a human among dragons. When a group of kids arrive at school, they find it's bursting at the seams, with no room for new students anywhere! Luckily, the local dragon school has openings. There, they'll perfect their fire-breathing skills, learn the meaning of various wing gestures, and nap on shining piles of gold. Understandably, these human kids are nervous. After all, they won't be able to take to the skies alongside their scaly classmates. Will they find a way to fit in? It turns out that dragons have plenty they can learn from humans--like how to make s'mores and how to fashion a huge pillow fort out of all that gold. Bright and humorous, this quick read-aloud will make for a fun discussion starter for little ones enrolling at new schools of their own. The conversational narrative creates a welcoming tone matched by warm and whimsical jewel-toned illustrations filled with round shapes and lines. While the dragons breathe fire, they're all a bit goofy and cuddly, not at all scary. The characters, dragon and human alike, are diverse in appearance and ability. Fluffy fun for youngsters fretting about starting school.(Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
