The Bakery Dragon

.reS-Gr 2–There’s nothing a dragon loves more than gold, but gentle Ember struggles to amass a hoard of his own. After failing to collect any treasure from a human village, he falls asleep in the rain outside a bakery. The baker takes pity on Ember and invites him inside, where she helps him discover a passion for baking. Digital illustrations shift from cool to warm tones as Ember develops confidence and a sense of safety, but Ember’s plight may not be compelling enough to get readers emotionally invested. Words like “kindling,” “sufficed,” and “delectable” will require explanation, and the mix of third-person narration and speech bubbles may make for a confusing read-aloud. For readers who can fill in the gaps through close attention to the illustrations, this title could serve as a conversation starter about nurturing one’s own talents. Pair with Gemma Merino’s The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water.