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A New Baby for Dear Dragon!

by Marla Conn (text) & illus. by Jack Pullan
Norwood House. Jan. 2022. 24p. Tr $23.94. ISBN 9781684508082.
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PreS-Gr 2–A young boy becomes a big brother in this entry in the “Dear Dragon” series. The boy, who is white, and his pet dragon welcome home a new baby. Each page highlights some object associated with the new arrival, but that series of items does not build toward any engaging plot line. Additionally, the items include quite a few things considered unsafe around newborns, such as safety pins, pillows in cribs, and baby powder. A middle class lifestyle is the only one depicted in the story. The presence of the dragon as a family member falls flat, and the illustrations are bland. For better titles about new siblings, try Lola Schaefer’s One Special Day or David Wiesner’s Robobaby.
VERDICT Pass on this one, in favor of titles that will engage emergent readers with real plots and outstanding illustrations.
Reviewed by Elisabeth LeBris , Mar 11, 2022

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