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Posts tagged ‘Dragons’

Dragon Frontier

I received my copy from the publisher.

9780141342962By: Dan Abnett

Jake Polson and his family are setting out on an adventure. They are joining a wagon train to make a new start out on the American frontier. A journey like that though is fraught with dangers and when a totally unexpected tragedy strikes, Jake is left to pick up the pieces. He cannot believe his family is gone for good and he determinedly sets out in search of a creature of legend in the hope he may be able to rescue his family. Along the way he meets some Indians with unusual pets and discovers a destiny he never thought possible.

Jake is quite a bookish boy but a strong-willed one. He survives what most couldn’t and allows his heart to drive him forward. As a result Jake discovers some things about himself. His openness and willingness not to judge what others do, gives him strength and opportunity. Jake is an underdog who triumphs and brings others along to the victory as well. The melding of Native American tribes with the myth of dragons is a surprisingly good fit – it didn’t feel jarring in any way. This story is very solidly Jake’s and the characters fit well in fleshing it out. It will be interesting to see where Abnett takes this story.

Publisher: Puffin Books

Published: 03 January 2013

Format: Paperback 336 pages

Categories: Fantasy, Dragons, Adventure

ISBN 13: 9780141342962

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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Crow’s Revenge

9780141339771By: Marcus Alexander

Keeper of the Realms Bk 1

Charlie Keeper is alone, well almost. Her parents have gone, they are missing. She lives with her grandmother who isn’t very well and her estate is managed by the despicable Mr Crow, who she hates.

Then one day something strange happens, she meets an odd little man with green skin. Then someone or something comes after her and she escapes into a whole different world she never knew she existed. In Bellania Charlie is The Keeper. The problem is Charlie has no idea what the Keeper is or what being one even means. It does become increasingly obvious that someone is trying to kill her. Fortunately Charlie doesn’t have to deal with all this new information on her own. She has a bunch of new friends that will do what they have to because Charlie’s fate is directly tied to the fate of Bellania.

This book has potential. Charlie is a feisty character, stubborn, cheeky. The world she stumbles into is layered, complex, there is politics going on that she doesn’t understand. The problem is that there is so much that needs to be established that the pace suffers and when the book comes in at over 400 pages it makes it hard to read. It’s overall tone is quite dark though Charlie herself brings lightness as do some of the friends she picks up along the way (Jensen and Kelko). Also it has dragons and how they fit into the story, at least at this early stage, is interesting.

If you are or know a reader who likes complex worlds and books that take a little more time to sink into then this may be worth a look. For readers 11+.

Publisher: Puffin Books

Published: 02 February 2012

Format: Paperback 448 pages

Categories: Fantasy

ISBN 13: 9780141339771

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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Never Say No to a Princess

9781407115610By: Tracey Corderoy & Kate Leake

This Princess is very spoiled. Everything she wants she gets because she threatens to cry if she doesn’t get her way, so the King and Queen rush to give in. The one day things very much don’t go her way and she demands a dragon to do what she wants. The dragon refuses because the Princess does not appear to know the magic word. Will the Princess be able to remember the right word. If she does she may actually make a new friend.

An interesting story about tantrums and manners. The princess is very unlikeable at the beginning of the story. There is plenty of get and a not so subtle message. The illustrations are kind of quirky and fun. This is perfect for a reader who likes princesses and dragons and may need a reminder of good manners.

Publisher: Alison Green Books

Published: 01 March 2012

Format: Paperback 32 pages

Categories: Princesses, Dragons, Manners

ISBN 13: 9781407115610

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page.

 

Category:

Picture Books

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The Somethingosaur

By: Tony Mitton

Illustrations by: Russell Ayto

An egg is all alone, with a crick, crickle, crackle it begins to hatch. A cute little creature has come from the egg but what can it be? It kind of looks like a dinosaur, but which one? And where is it’s mummy? The brave little Somethingosaur sets out on a quest to find it’s family and a home. He may be a little more different than you originally think.

A wonderful heartwarming and fun tale of being alone and finding a home. There is just something appealing (possibly the wide-eyed illustrations) about the Somethingosaur. His story is entertaining, brave and wonderful to read, told in rhyming text that children love. An enjoyable picture book.

Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books

Published: 06 July 2012

Format: Hardback 32 pages

Categories: Dinosaurs, Dragons,

ISBN 13: 9780007441266

Purchase: here or use Booktopia logo on the side of the page

Category:

Picture Books

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The Worst Princess

By: Anna Kemp & Sara Ogilvie

Princess Sue knows the drill, she’s grown her hair long and read all the books about being a princess, she just needs her Prince to come and rescue her from boredom. He finally arrives and Sue is all ready for adventure and mischief but the Prince thinks those things are all unprincess like. How is Sue ever going to experience the life she wants while she is locked in a tower wearing pretty dresses? Then along comes a dragon and that changes a few things.

Princess Sue is my sort of princess, not at all interested in balls and dresses. She is feisty, fun and makes friends with a dragon – what’s not to love. This story is thoroughly entertaining, the illustrations are joyous and quirky. A wonderful story about being true to yourself and not conforming.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Books

Published: 26 April 2012

Format: Hardback 32 pages

Categories: Princesses, Dragons, Adventure

ISBN 13: 9781847388759

Purchase: here or use Booktopia logo on side of page

Category:

Picture Books

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Hunting For Dragons

By: Bruce Whatley

Every weekend the main character hunts for dragons. It is something fun to do. I’ll bet you didn’t know that dragons can be anywhere, you just need to know how to look for them. They can be in bedrooms, dining rooms, outside and even in workshops.

This is a fun little story with simple text and clever illustrations. It is a great book to encourage the imagination as dragons are to be discovered in the shapes all around us. How many dragons can you find in a day?

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

Published: 01 December 2010

Format: Hardback 32 pages

Categories: Imagination

ISBN 13: 9781741693300

Purchase: use Booktopia logo on the side of the page

 

Category:

Picture Books

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Happy Birthday in Dragon Wood

By: Timothy Knapman

Illustrated By: Gwen Millward

Dragon has to play football but he needs a friend, lucky he has the Benjamin to help him out. Benjamin tells Dragon and his teammates all about the sport and how to play it but he can’t stay for the match because he has to get back for something called a birthday party. All that talk of cakes, ice cream and blowing out candles doesn’t sound like fun to Dragon…but maybe things won’t be so bad.

Friendship, football and birthdays feature prominently in this picture book. The story is interesting and fun. The illustrations are cute and somehow bring a smile to your face. If you are looking for a soccer or dragon book then this one will fit your needs.

Publisher: Puffin Books

Published: 05 January 2012

Format: Paperback 32 pages

Categories: Birthdays, Dragons

ISBN 13: 9780141502373

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

Category:

Picture Books

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How To Train Your Dragon Arena Spectacular

In case you missed it this looks awesome. Would love to see this. They have done some amazingly innovative stuff to bring this to life.

If you are in Melbourne or one of its later stops I’m sure it will be a great night out.

Category:

A Little Fun

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Zog

By: Julia Donaldson

Illustrations: Axel Scheffler

Zog is in Dragon School. He is the keenest of dragons and he learns his lessons and he practices loads. Zog though is also quite accident prone. Lucky for him there is a young girl around to offer help every time he does something like fly into a tree or set his own wings on fire. With all these accidents will Zog ever get a gold star.

Yet another wonderful picture book from the award winning team of Donaldson and Scheffler (this one was a winner of the Galaxy National Children’s Book of the Year, 2010) It is a wonderfully fun and entertaining story accompanied by the great, textured and distinctive Scheffler illustrations. It is a story of trying and learning and also pushing against stereotypes (the wonderful princess character for example). Another must have book for your collection.

Publisher: Alison Green Books

Published: 01 September 2011

Format: Paperback 32 pages

Categories: Fiction, Dragons, School

ISBN 13: 9781407115597

Purchase: here or use Booktopia logo on side of page

Category:

Picture Books

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It’s Finally Here!

I know that all you fans know what comes out on the 8 & 9th of November (depending on which country you are in).

The long awaited conclusion to Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle.

So in honour of the event here are a few clips just for you guys.

(The sound on this one is a little quiet) 

Hope it’s all that you want it to be.

Category:

Writers

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