When a Dragon Moves In Again
Written by Jodi Moore
Illustrated by Howard McWilliam
Flashlight Press        9/01/2015
978-1-936261-35-2
32 pages        Age 4—8

“If you build a perfect castle, a dragon will move in, followed by. . . a baby?! Preparations are in full swing to welcome a new family member in this sequel to the award-winning When a Dragon Moves In. The baby arrives, and the new big brother and his dragon dedicate themselves to entertaining the little guy. But when the older sister says there’s no such thing as a dragon, frustration mounts and mischief ensues. And when that drooling, crying baby somehow charms his dragon, the boy decides he’s had enough of this baby business. Is there room in the castle for three?” [inside jacket]

Review
When we last saw the boy and his dragon, we were on a beach enjoying the summer sun. The young boy built a fabulous sand castle and discovered a dragon had moved in. Together they had a fabulous day. Now the dragon has moved into the young boy’s home. Together, the two have great fun helping dad build a new castle that looks suspiciously like a crib. When the boy and his dragon try to play in this new castle, Mom tells them it is for the baby. BABY?!

Just like the first sunny outing, When a Dragon Moves In Again is fun and hilarious. The joys of a new little brother are short-lived when it seems the new little fellow has captured the dragon’s heart. Dragon in the castle/crib snuggling with the infant is such an adorable scene . . . until big brother opens the door.

“HEY!!”

Startled awake, the baby cries and dragon’s mouth hits the sheet. Mom is not happy. The young boy has awaken his little brother, but no, it was the dragon, claims the older boy. Dragon, who normally chuckles when his friend blames him for things, has a different response,

“Heh-heh . . . huh?”

Big brothers everywhere will enjoy the next spread. The young boy, extremely upset, says something all big brothers, at one time or another, have wanted to say. This gets him a time out. Pouting, big brother decides he doesn’t need that baby or that dragon . . . until he does. The spreads that follow are sweet enough to melt big brother hearts everywhere, and a parent or two.

Moore has captured the new baby experience, complete with all the excitement and ensuing jealousy felt by older siblings. Dragon becomes her bridge between big brother and little, and she does it with much heart and humor. Her text is lively, easy to read multiple times, and gives the illustrator much to work with.

McWilliam transforms Moore’s captivating story into images full of warmth and gives the reader a relatable family. His illustrations are wonderfully expressive, giving even the mostly speechless dragon wide range of emotions. I love the three illustrations set showing dragon playing with the baby (while the young boy takes a time out). It is easy to fall in love with When a Dragon Moves In Again, including the new family member, no matter how much he cries and drools.

When a Dragon Moves In Again is the perfect picture book for dragon lovers of all ages. Parents expecting a new child will find this brightly colored, priceless picture book. Kids will love the story and the lively images, which have a cartoonish look. If you loved When a Dragon Moves In—and who did not—you will adore When a Dragon Moves In Again.

WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN AGAIN. Text copyright © 2015 by Jodi Moore. Illustrations copyright © 2015 by Howard McWilliam. Reproduce by permission of the publisher, Flashlight Press, Brooklyn, NY.

Purchase When a Dragon Moves In Again at Amazon—Book Depository—IndieBound Books—iTunes Books— Flashlight Press.

Read the Interview:  A Boy, a New Baby, and a Dragon?! HERE.
Learn more about When a Dragon Moves In Again HERE.

Meet the author, Jodi Moore, at her website:  http://www.writerjodimoore.com/
Meet the illustrator, Howard McWilliam name, at his website:  http://www.howardmcwilliam.com/
Find more books at the Flashlight Press website:  http://www.flashlightpress.com/

Also by Jodi Moore
When a Dragon Moves In
Good News Nelson

Also by Howard McWilliam
I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll
What I Saw in the Teacher’s Lounge by Jerry Pallotta
How Rude! Real Bugs Who Won’t Mind Their Manners by Heather Montgomery
Yo Ho No! (Ghost Detectors) by Dotti Enderle
What If You Had Animal Ears? by Sandra Markle
.         .    .—and many more

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Copyright © 2015 by Sue Morris/Kid Lit Reviews. All Rights Reserved

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Full Disclosure: When a Dragon Moves In Again by Jodi Moore & Howard McWilliam, and received from Flashlight Press, is in exchange NOT for a positive review, but for an HONEST review. The opinions expressed are my own and no one else’s. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Reviewer’s note: Big sister does not believe the dragon is real. Huh? She is totally wrong.]