Another comprehensive tome that takes the premise that dragons are real. This is fiction masquerading as non-fiction, a guide to looking after dragons - almost like a 'bringing up baby manual' - with fabulous full-colour illustrations that both give information and lend a comedic element to the book. The opening letter of the text talks to the reader as if they have succeeded in applying to look after the dragon, and this book is the starter guide - at this point I began to have palpitations in much the same way as I do opening Ikea furniture instructions. However, the instructions here are much better written, more informative, and massively more fun. There is a wonderful sense of humour pulsating throughout the book from the suggested equipment at the beginning - such as oven gloves for handling anything the dragon has set fire to - to the advice on where learn to fly the dragon - several hundred miles from human habitation. As well as the fun in the text, the book is hugely interactive. Spinning wheels, flaps to lift, pop up flying dragons, books within the book, and the ultimately hilarious happy/fierce face flip dragon towards the end. There is a huge amount of information taken from dragon-lore, such as famous paintings that portray dragons, popular stories, and the different types of dragon from around the world. Brilliantly, it would perfectly complement the Build the Dragon book reviewed above, if your child (or you) have a particular penchant for dragons. This is a book to make you smile and give much pleasure. By the end I felt competent to look after and even attempt to fly my own dragon. * Minerva Reads *
