The Cuddle Dragon

by Axel Janssens (Illustrator)

Leo is turning six and he’s having a sleepover too celebrate. All his friends are there and he’s planning a wonderful night with pancakes for dinner, a castle made of blankets, and scary stories to frighten everyone. But things don’t go according to plan and when Leo hears strange noises at night, it’s lucky that Kenny is there with the perfect birthday present.

A wonderful picture book about being tough, being a friend, and the power of the imagination to overcome fear. For children aged 4 and up.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 13, 2014

Reviews

[Mollie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

good for storytime

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kenny and Leo from The Box are back. Leo's having a sleepover party for his birthday, and tells scary stories at bedtime. But Kenny's cuddle toy, Pepper, always saves the day. Leo is a bit annoyed, but eventually all the kids fall asleep. When Leo awakens scared in the middle of the night, Kenny gives him his birthday present a little early: a cuddle dragon.

The monsters in Leo's story are a bit scary, emphasized by the dramatic lighting in the illustrations. I love the distinctive artwork -- photos of clay and cloth 3D figures.

First published in Belgium & Holland by Clavis Uitgeverij, Hasselt-Amsterdam 2013

English translation from the Duth by Clavis Publishing, NY, 2014