Evermore dragon - Barbara M. Joosse

With a lyrical, lulling read-aloud text and gorgeous, atmospheric art, this is a story of a very little girl and a very biggle dragon who are the very best of friends.

A sequel to the acclaimed Lovabye Dragon, bestselling author Barbara Joosse tells another lyrical tale of friendship between a little girl and a loveable dragon - who decide to play a game of hide-and-seek. First, Girl covers her eyes and Dragon curls his enormous self into a not-small-at-all ball behind a teeny-tiny rock - what a hiding spot! Then, it's Girl's turn, so she runs and she runs to a faraway, hidden hidey-hole place - where she waits and she waits - because Dragon can't find her! Now Girl is lost deep in the dark forest filled with monsters-of-the-night sounds, and her heart begins to thump its own trem-below sound - a sound that only very specials friends can hear, and a sound that might just be heard by an evermore, forever friend like Dragon... With evocative art from Randy Cecil, this is a beautiful, reassuring testament to the power of protective, loving friendship.

Barbara Joosse has written many books for children. Among them are Mama, Do You Love Me?, illustrated by Barbara Lavallee, and I Love You the Purplest, illustrated by Mary Whyte. She says, "When I was a little girl, I wished for two things - a best friend, and something so ferocious it would scare away the monsters under my bed. And so I have written Lovabye Dragon. I think maybe it's for little me." Barbara Joosse lives in the US, in Wisconsin. Visit her website at www.barbarajoosse.com.

Randy Cecil has illustrated more than twenty books for children, including Brontorina by James Howe, And Here's to You! by David Elliot, and My Father the Dog and How Do You Wokka-Wokka?, both by Elizabeth Bluemle. He is also the author-illustrator of Duck and Gator. Randy lives in Houston, Texas. Visit his website at www.randycecil.com.

With its sprinklings of innovative language, and just the right frisson of fear, the beautifully constructed lyrical text combined with the dream-like scenes in muted greens, greys and blues into which are dropped Girl and her glowing yellow gown, [Evermore Dragon] is perfect for story time sharing, especially at the end of the day, be it at home or school. It certainly went down a treat with my audience of fives and sixes.
Red Reading Hub