Dragon Is Coming!

May 1, 2009
PreS-Gr 2-When Dog declares that the black cloud overhead looks like a dragon, half-asleep Mouse thinks he hears that a real dragon is coming to swallow the sun. In true Henny Penny and/or Chicken Little style, Mouse begins to run through the farmyard, warning everyone of the creature's coming. Lightning is mistaken for the dragon's fiery breath. Thunder is the creature's rumbling stomach. Rain is the dragon's drool. As the storm/dragon approaches, the animals hightail it to the barn. When all is quiet outside, they learn the truth. While the story is familiar, Gorbachev's illustrations revive it with delightful details and humorous poses. Children who know the original tale will find this adaptation pleasing and those who do not will be content at its outcome. The animals' expressions are particularly amusing as they move from bewilderment to panic to relief. A refreshing addition to most collections."C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2009
Preschool-G Inthis dear-me-the-sky-is-falling sort of story, Mouse hears Dog saying that the big gray cloud looks like a dragon that will swallow the sun, and Mouse panics. He warns the geese, who join him and warn the sheep, the pig, and the cow. As the dragonlike cloud hovers above, the animals flock to the barn and huddle in fear, andGorbachev cleverly sustains the suspense with three double-page spreads of them cowering behind the barn door, providing a perfect opportunity for teachers and librarians to pause and have children predict what could happen next. Gorbachevs whimsical watercolors capture an array of emotions on the animals faces, and the final pages, in which Dog reappears with an oh-so-surprised look and Mouse displays an oops-whatever kind of attitude, give a nice spin to this delightful story about both being gullible and being afraid.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2009
Mouse, mistaking an impending storm cloud for a dragon, has all the farm animals running for cover. Sensible Dog (whose imaginative remark got the ball rolling) sets them straight when the storm passes. Gorbachev's skillful use of light and shadow enhance the sky-is-falling plot.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)