Dealing with Bullies for Kids (and Dragons)
Another useful addition to the Dragon Safety Series is this winning combination of rhyme, adventure and information that provides the perfect starting point for discussions about bullying.
July 1, 2007
K-Gr 2-Rhyming couplets tell a tale of bullying, hurt feelings, mediation, and a happy ending. The narrator and his dragon buddy set off for Camp Camelot, only to be taunted by three boys who don't want any tall, green knights around. The narrator seeks the help of the king and queen (counselors) who comfort the dragon and confront the bullies. The bullies are invited to set out on a quest to fix what they've done wrong. They apologize, and the dragon proves his worth when a kitten must be rescued from a tree. The medieval trappings can't hide the fact that this book is little more than an extended therapy session. The pencil-crayon cartoon illustrations reflect an ethnically diverse crowd of knights and nobles, but the awkward, long-winded text makes this didactic story a marginal purchase. Other titles, such as Denis Roche's "Mim, Gym, and June "(Houghton, 2003) address the same situation more effectively."Rachael Vilmar, Atlanta Fulton Public Library, GA"
Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.