Review by Booklist Review
This first title in the new Tiny Tails early reader series introduces Spark, a slip of a dragon. But despite his small size, he has a problem: he can't control his fiery flame. In three short chapters, Spark's parents give him lessons to help him learn to blow gently. They hand him marshmallows to toast, but they're quickly charred. They give him a stack of plates to dry, but the force of the flame breaks them. They tell him, Dream about blowing out very gently. Dream about little flames, but he practically sets his room on fire (thankfully he has a fireproof bed and pillow). It's only after time passes that Spark is able to master his flame and he is awfully proud of his accomplishment ( Yay!). George's text is fun and playful, while Cote's dumpling of a green dragon is eager and expressive. This speaks volumes about the difficulties of being patient, and that's something every kid will understand.--Kelley, Ann Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Children who are forever being cautioned to "Be careful" will instantly empathize with Spark, the young dragon who stars in this early reader from George (The Melancholic Mermaid), first in the Tiny Tails series. Like all dragons, Spark quickly learns how to breathe fire; keeping that gift under control is more difficult. "Be careful," his father tells him. "Fire burns." And so it does in the three lessons that follow: under parental supervision, Spark tries to use his fire to toast marshmallows and dry dishes, with undesirable results ("The dishes heated up. They glowed and then... crack! crack! Two dishes broke"). Spark's third trial ends just as badly as a "cloud of smoke" fills his bedroom. "Don't worry," says his well-prepared mother. "Your bed is fireproof." George's simple sentences project Spark's determination and his parents' pragmatic brand of support, while Cote offers playfully childlike scenes outlined in loose, crayony strokes. What's the solution for Spark? It's one that's both true to life and the last thing some kids will want to hear: sometimes these things just take time. Ages 5-8. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Beginning readers will enjoy meeting Spark, a young dragon who is setting everything on fire. Just as early learners face developmental milestones, he has trouble learning to control his flame. His parents try different techniques to help their son, teaching him to toast marshmallows, having him help his dad dry the dishes, and even encouraging dream visualization. Unfortunately, none of these attempts works, and it is not until Spark grows into his flame on his birthday that he is able to light the candles on his cake: "Spark closed his eyes. He breathed in. He breathed out very gently.'Yay,' yelled Spark. 'I did it!'" Broken down into simple chapters, this story will grab children mastering new skills and provide a reminder to families that everything has its turn. Adorable drawings in warm hues add a cheerful context to this can-do tale.-Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An aptly named little dragon has trouble controlling his flame--but, as with Leo the Late Bloomer, it's just a matter of time. Having read a parenting book, Spark's Mama and Papa try proactive strategies (dubbed "lessons" in the table of contents, though it's unclear who learns what, if anything): giving him a bag of marshmallows to roast; inviting him to help dry dishes; urging him to dream at night about breathing gentle, little flames. After these all end in smoky minor catastrophes, Papa promises the fretful Spark that in time he'll be more in control. Indeed, in an amusing twist, he ultimately succeeds in lighting the candles on his own birthday cake without mishapand then, understandably, refuses to blow them out. In soft, simply drawn cartoon illustrations, Ct places a family of dumpy-looking green dragons with small but decorative orange wings and ears in minimally detailed settings and endows them with human expressions and gestures. "YAY!" Spark yells at the end. "I did it!" Reassurance for newly independent readers with, if not identical, at least corresponding concerns. (Early reader. 5-7)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
