Book Review and Contest: The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari by Donita K. Paul & Evangeline Denmark (Children's Book)

Book Description from Publisher's Website
“Padraig, my friend, it is time for us to be courageous.”

Padraig the dragon and his best friend, Roger the turtle are determined to spend the whole night outside. As brave explorers at the base of Mount Sillymanborrow, the boys use their imaginations to have fun while munching on crunchy baked bugs and toasting s’mores over their campfire. But when the sky gets dark and the sounds of strange animals fill the forest outside their tent, their safari gets scary. This adventure is just what the boys need to discover that the dark might be frightening, but their friendship is stronger than fear.


My Thoughts
This is a children's picture book about two young friends, a dragon and a turtle. These young tikes decide it will be very brave of them to stay the WHOLE night outside in a tent all by themselves. I remember doing that as a kid. All the nighttime noises create images in your head about what is really out beyond the walls of your tent. Roger, the turtle, and Padraig, the dragon, imagined all kinds of exaggerated creatures outside their little circle of fire and tent. I think a turtle and a dragon are a cute combination for two friends. They are very different from each other as creatures go and so make a great duo.


This is a very simple story to read and understand making it enjoyable for your younger children. It encourages children to be brave and to be a true friend. I especially loved the bonus story, The Legend of Mount Sillymanborrow. Now that was cute! And the authors provide a few conversation starters at the end of the story to help you delve a little deeper into the valuable lessons written into the story with your children. 


I also enjoyed the illustrations by Vincent Nguyen. The "nighttime" colors were perfect to set the tone of the story.


Contest
The publisher, Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group is hosting a "Go On Safari" with your child contest. Details of the contest can be found here. Prize includes a child-size tent, two sleeping bags and much more.


**“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.