Iguana Be a Dragon

May 1, 2022
Will Iguana's plan be a splash or a flop? While getting settled in his new house, Iguana receives an invitation to Cheetah's pool party. He is worried. Cheetahs are fast. Cheetahs are amazing. Surely all the other guests will be amazing, too. Iguana makes a checklist that shows he's green, sun-loving, and, well, green. Nothing amazing there. Iguana decides not to go, but he later sees a sign for a shop called Dragon Donuts, and inspiration hits. Dragons are amazing--they can fly, they have magical horns, and they shoot fire. After many hilarious costume changes at a thrift store, Iguana transforms into a dragon, with party hats for horns and a pair of purple kites for wings. But something is missing. Fire! Iguana chows down on several dishes spicy enough to make his eyes pop. The pressure builds, and Iguana is finally rewarded with a humongous fiery burp that turns him bright red and launches him into the air and, eventually, right into Cheetah's pool during the party. Iguana's rocket-fast swim to cool off impresses Cheetah and the guests--and he realizes that he is rather amazing just the way he is. Frost's cartoonish art is simple yet endearing, filled with bright, saturated colors. The story is loaded with humor and offers a strong yet never heavy-handed message. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A lovable iguana reminds us to be ourselves--a lesson that readers young and old can embrace. (Picture book. 4-8)

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July 1, 2022
Preschool-Grade 2 Iguana moves to a new house and receives an invitation to Cheetah's pool party. Overwhelmed by insecurity, he reflects that cheetahs are the world's fastest animals. Amazing! What if other amazing animals attend the party? How will he compare? He makes a checklist: "Iguanas are green. They enjoy the sun. They're green." Inspiration strikes. Purchasing two kites (for wings) and two party horns (for horns), he disguises himself as a dragon. Next, he eats spicy foods. An enormous burp sends him flying into the air. He splashes into a nearby pool (Cheetah's), where he wins a swimming race. Later, Iguana discovers that the other animals like him not because he's fast, but because he's helpful, thoughtful, and funny. "Be yourself" is a platitude that can be hard for kids to grasp, but with Frost's droll, deadpan story and cartoon digital illustrations, it works here, perhaps because it's a not an admonition but a conclusion drawn from experience. With a sympathetic main character, witty narration, and expressive art, this picture book is great fun for reading aloud.

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