Gus the Mushroom Dragon: An Acorn Book

K-Gr 2–The dragons of Dragon Hill are back for a second installment in this early reader series. Gus the Mushroom Dragon is in search of his special powers. When going to try out potential powers with his friend Ember the Fire Dragon, Gus gets a funny feeling about danger in the apple orchard. There, he discovers he can communicate with plants, and using his newfound power, he helps scared flowers feel safe again. This series is for the younger set and will get them hooked on dragon tales early. The text is simple with easy sentences for new readers to work through, and it is large enough for beginners to easily navigate. The story is endearing; children will connect with the ­characters’ emotions and common fears of things like the dark. The digitally rendered illustrations connect seamlessly with the text and offer clues to the story. While there is nothing earth shattering about the story line, the book represents an important level, serving as a transition from early readers into ­longer chapter books; the simple, pleasing story will encourage new readers to keep going.