Centuries-old dragon Miss Drake, narrator of A Dragon’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans, is mourning the death of her beloved pet, Fluffy (actually a human named Amelia) when young human Winnie shows up at her door. Winnie is precocious, observant and, at first, annoying. But Miss Drake soon realizes that Winnie is dealing with a painful loss as well—her father—and decides she must look after the girl to honor Fluffy’s memory.
When Winnie draws the marvelous creatures she encounters on trips with Miss Drake in her new sketchbook, trouble begins. The magical book brings the sketches to life and sets them free, so the two new companions must recapture them all before a magical disaster takes over the city.
In the first book in this new series, authors Laurence Yep and Joanne Ryder skillfully blend fantastic creatures and powerful spells with the relationships, emotions and small pleasures that make up everyday life. With Yep and Ryder’s guidance, a view of San Francisco Bay or a picnic bought at a farmer’s market are equally as magical as flying on a dragon’s back.
Perhaps most impressively, this whimsical and often wise adventure explores themes of love and loss accessibly and honestly. A straightforward tale embellished with excellent voices, vivid details and subtle lessons in empathy, A Dragon’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans will capture the attention and imagination of young fantasy readers.
