Benvenuto

by Seymour Reit

Twelve-year-old Paolo brings back to New York City an unusual and rare pet from camp--a dragon.

126 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Seymour Victory Reit was the author of over 80 children's books as well as several works for adults. Reit was the creator, with cartoonist Joe Oriolo, of the character Casper the Friendly Ghost.

Reviews

[AJ (the.booknerd.reads)]

This will always be my favorite childhood book.

Reread 07/16/2020:
Super quick reread for fournationsreadathon! Love this story still!

[Beverly]

At summer camp, Paolo finds and brings home a curious lizard, which his sister identifies as a dragon. Paolo names him Benvenuto. Only 2 feet long, Benvenuto easily settles into the Bruno's New York apartment, but all is not well when the health department wants the dragon removed and destroyed as dangerous wildlife. The author infuses his story with humor and warmth.

[Ryan Mishap]

I still have this book somewhere...one of my first low-picture-to-word-ratio books wherein a kid brings home a dragon--can we keep him, huh? Huh? Can we keep him? Classic tale of the boy wh wants a pet and the mean parents who say no, relent, then take the poor thing out into the woods. Mean old parents, anyway. Friendly dragons make great pets!

[Agneata]

I still have this one too. My first dragon book. Just like my other Weekly Reader book it is hard cover.

[svm]

A sweet, vintage blast from the past. Fascinating to have NYC described in such a neighborhood sense. Love the psychedelic colors on the cover!