Our Dragon

by Mem Fox, Linda Davick (Illustrator)

Beloved picture book creator Mem Fox puts a fresh spin on a new baby book in this tender, funny story of unconditional love.

Two parents love their brand-new baby dragon…even though he is always breathing fire (especially when he’s hungry or tired). Dragon tries his best not to set any more fires, but sometimes accidents happen. And when he unwittingly coughs up another flame while playing, what are his loving-but-slightly-exasperated parents to do? He is a baby dragon, after all!

Genres: Picture Books, Dragons, Storytime, Childrens, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 2, 2023

About the author

Merrion Frances Fox is an Australian writer of children's books and an educationalist specialising in literacy. Fox has been semi-retired since 1996, but she still gives seminars and lives in Adelaide, South Australia.

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why did it have to be a dragon? Is the book about fire safety or a child learning? I'm fairly certain that even an adult dragon could mistakenly sneeze and set fire to village. I feel bad for the little dragon, breathing fire is part of who he is and he is being asked to go against his true self.

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playing with fire is dangerous, but little dragon just can't help it. Breathing fire is what dragons do, after all. What will his parents do when little dragon torches one thing too many?

This is a quirky story on its own, but it's also a great reminder that families can work through anything if they choose to love one another. Little Dragon doesn't have to be a metaphor, but he's a great conversation starter.

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

First sentence: So here is our dragon! Our dragon is little. He's almost brand-new! And his favorite thing--how I wish it weren't true--is breathing out fire wherever he goes. It comes from his mouth, and it comes from his nose! He doesn't say sorry. He doesn't know how. So his parents say firmly. "Please listen, right now."

Premise/plot: These two human parents are super-frustrated with their new dragon. (Why did they get a baby dragon if they weren't prepared to deal with a baby dragon????) In particular, they get angry that their dragon, their baby dragon, breathes fire. As they continue to try to teach him manners, how to control himself, etc, they continued to scold and express their disappointment. After the baby dragon is crying, then they decide perhaps a little comfort is not out of place. The end.

My thoughts: I did NOT like this one even slightly. Though if I had to pick something to like about it, it would be the illustrations. I over-think picture books. It's what I do. I read a picture book and take it way too seriously. I think of dozens of questions that pull apart the book's logic and reason.

In this instance, why are two humans adopting a dragon? Isn't this sending the wrong message about adoption? I'm 99.99% certain that was not the intent. So is the dragon a stand-in for ANY new baby? And if that's the case--which the jacket flap tends to suggest--WHAT on earth is the fire supposed to correlate with???? Fire is literally a hazard--to them, to their house, to everything. And it's something they would have had to known about before bringing it into their home. So obviously they weren't thinking or planning ahead. Fire also seems as natural as breathing to a dragon...so them scolding and reprimanding the dragon until it cries seems not only counterproductive but just plain cruel. It accomplishes nothing useful and is harmful to bonding. Is the fire supposed to represent the messes baby naturally makes? that any and every baby makes? If so, it just seems weird and well, WEIRD.

I didn't like these two as parents.

The rhyming felt HORRIBLE in a forced, un-rhythmic way. Like WHY does it have to be told in rhyme like this????

[Rayne Cam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 2.5 would have been more accurate. The book is difficult to place. It reads as a book for young readers, but I don't know if that necessarily the best audience. The book follows two adults with their new baby dragon. The dragon keeps letting out bursts of fire and the "parents" are trying to deter that habit since it's dangerous. However, the book makes a point of explaining how the dragon feels and the embarrassment. This is why it's a little tricky for me tp pinpoint an audience.

The book works as a way to explore a few different topics. I believe the author's intent is for gentle parenting and "bad" behavior. But for this I actually believe the best audience is the caregiver. Since the book goes into such details about how awful the dragon feels and how guilty when it accidentally shoots fire, the book best helps caregivers understand how children may be processing how they are spoken to.

The book may work well for older siblings who struggle to understand why their younger siblings don't seem to listen to direction.

The book may also be a great option when they're a new puppy in the home learning to potty train. The book will help children understand the dog as it is trained.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is this story for young children or a message to impatient tired parents? I’m not sure. I picked it up from the display because of the cover art which is very accessible to the young child and I personally liked the colors. However, upon beginning to read the title, there were the parents and yes these illustrations were accomplished digitally. It is the eyes especially and other facial features that continue to scream digital illustrations to me. I loved the colors and shapes of these digital illustrations, butt oh those facial features. Men Fox deserves more that digital illustrations for her stories.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Mem Fox books! In this story, two human parents have a baby dragon that is trying - not quite succesfully - to control its fiery breath. Accidents usually happen when dragon is tired or hungry. Fire, after all, does come naturally to a dragon. But the parents are worried dragon will burn down the house or cause some other incident so they urge their wee one to control the flames.
This is a quirky analogy for any parent who is dealing with temper tantrums with their young child.

[Kiera Beddes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two new human parents are at a loss about what to do with their baby dragon who keeps setting things on fire.

I wanted to like this picture book more than I did. It was odd to have a mixture of humans and a dragon in a family. The art wasn’t my favorite either, because it didn’t draw me in and felt flat on the page.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Our dragon is little. He's almost brand new."

So the little family dragon can't help but spout fire. He doesn't really mean to, it just happens ... often when he's hungry or tired. Mom and Dad are patient and gently instruct him on the importance of making good choices.

Cute illustrations. A gentle read for little ones who are adjusting to a new sibling in the family.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great! Mem fox is always a winner. A rhyming story about a little dragon who keeps accidentally setting things on fire when he's tired or hungry or having too much fun. At the end, even though his parents caution him to try to behave, they tell him accidents happen and everything is fine.

[Kelly]

Eh, it was ok. I think kids can see that it's ok to make mistakes and parents will be like, well at least my child doesn't breathe fire. Both sides can see that things will be okay. It's not great though.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very sweet- and the dragon is adorable. I just couldn't decide if the dragon was like a new baby or a new pet; and the fire breathing was tricky because it's super dangerous, unlike something like screaming or chewing up shoes. So it made for a tough analogy.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decided to take a quick read of this. It was cute, but the artwork was a bit simple. Basically it uses a pet dragon breathing fire as a metaphor for a baby throwing a tantrum. I guess the intended message for children that they will be loved regardless, but really it's more for parents.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of Mem Fox, I'm just not sure why they paired her up with an illustrator that feels...generic. Sorry/not sorry. (I still love you, Mem, just not this book...)

Themes: dragons, behaving badly, stories that rhyme
Ages: PreK-K
Pub year: 2023

[Tera · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't get a chance to read this during storytime as the kids were a little too rambunctious. A reading for 'Fantasy' theme and dealt with emotional intelligence, like the other dragon book I read this week.

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A family has a little baby dragon. It spouts fire and causes chaos, but the parents are understanding and still love the dragon, as accidents happen.

A cute take on how babies and toddlers cause chaos and parents are ever-patient and loving.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better for the parents of easily frustrated tots. Or maybe for teens in 'Health and Family' class. I didn't especially care for the art, though it is bright and clear, and I really didn't like the rhyme. Not a bad book, but I just can't justify three stars.

[Amy Sirles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about human parents with a baby dragon. Dragon keeps breathing fire because he's a dragon, but his parents seem to think he should be able to control this. Book was okay. Illustrations were adorable.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just OK. I get the message, but it just wasn't very fun and the illustrations were very static.

My 4-year-old's review: 2 thumbs down

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Mem Fox. This is just too young for elementary. Would be good in a preschool classroom library.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book list

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 1/3

Babies, Dragons, Fire Safety Accidents

Rhymes, and this book is totally a euphemism.

[Y.Poston]

a delightful book about
baby crankiness

[Colorado Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

dragon makes mistakes and keeps breathing fire out, great rhyming. #dragonswillbedragons

[Kristina · Rating 1 out of 5]

It just kind of falls flat.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Kristin Kydd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute. We all make mistakes sometimes.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I live Mem Fox's stories, but this one lost me.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found in L4L Volume 83.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Storytime Ideas: Dragons, Families, *Baby and Me*