Fiction Age 7 up

NZ Writer and Illustrator

Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Donavan Bixley

Dragon Knight  Fire!

Dragon Knight series

Scholastic 2015   $10.99pb 96pp

ISBN 978 1 7754 3259 3

Themes: Dragons/ Knights/ Middle Ages/ Shape shifters

If you are a part-time dragon but also want to be accepted as a trainee for the Knight School where much emphasis is placed on vanquishing dragons, you have a bit of a problem. However, problems are what Kyle Mewburn’s many characters thrive on and Merek, who with his family are shape-shifting dragons, is equal to the task. The book, and its companion, Rats!  (ISBN 978 1 7754 3260 9) will be up to the expectations of anyone who has read the Dinosaur Rescue series and should pull in many new enthusiasts as well – especially the so-called ‘reluctant readers’.  Once they get a whiff of the ogre farts and the fiery dragon breath they will be away. It is generously illustrated with images as 'wicked' as the text.  Not for the conservative adult…

Year 3 up/ Age 7 up

Picture Books

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 Picture Books

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NZ Writer and Illustrator

James Russell, illustrated by Link Choi

The Dragon Hunters

Book One of a trilogy

Dragon Brothers Books Ltd  2012         $30.00hb         32pages

ISBN 978 0 4732 1816 4

Themes:  Dogs/ Dragons/ Quests/ Rescues/ Stories in rhyme

When the boys’ much loved chocolate coloured Labrador is stolen by a passing dragon and is whisked away into the air leaving nothingness in her place the brothers go into action. To sustain them they take a packet of Marmite sandwiches with Lemon Zest plus two carefully packed bags.

A rewarding story to read aloud with so much going for it – adventure, dragons, intrepid children, a happy ending and the promise of more to come.  So many people have had supportive things to say about this book – just Google the title for reviews plus a YouTube interview conducted by Doris Mousdale.

Pre School up/ Age 4 up

Fiction

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Belgium Writer and Dutch Illustrator

Sylvia Vanden Heede illustrated by Marije Tolman

Wolf And Dog

Gecko Press 2013  (coming March)          $24.99pb         94pages

ISBN 978 1 8775 7938 7

Themes:  Animal traits/ Cousins/ Family life/ Friendship/ Making rhymes

For all his blustering and bombastic outbursts Wolf has much to hide – he can’t read, he has fleas, is sometimes really scared and lives in a scungy looking house in the forest. Dog on the other hand is totally literate, has a master whom he protects, a warm basket and plenty of delicious food. But, in spite of their many differences, Wolf and Dog (think Snake and Lizard) are friends and all their sparring ends happily - well, almost always. Here is a wonderful opportunity for a teacher with a sense of drama to read this aloud to what will be an enthralled class – but almost as much fun for children to read to themselves.   

Year 2 up/ Age 6 up