This cute childrens book is the second one from The Dragon and the Turtle series. Quite honestly, I liked the first book a little better than this one, as I think the story line had more to offer its readers, and more things to discuss about it. However, aside from this second book having a few awkward words to read outloud, my 8 year old son found it interesting. He really liked the way imagination is used in the book, and enjoyed the sound effects I threw in every now and then. (You gotta have sound effects to make a book come alive!)
In a nut shell (or maybe it should be a turtle shell in this case), the book was about 2 boys who decided to go on an imaginary safari, including an overnight camp-out in one boys backyard. While they were camping, the unfamiliar, and sometimes spooky, sounds caused them to start imagining what types of animals the sounds came from - safari animals, of course! For example, an owl was a monkey, a squirrel was a giraffe, a raccoon was an elephant, and a dog was a rhinoceros. They eventually heard a cat (a small leopard) and decided he needed to be rescued from a tree. By early morning, they had not gotten any sleep and were heading back to home base. They realized a nap was in order before they could have any more fun and exciting adventures.
As with the first book, there is a page in the back that includes a Bible verse and some discussion questions to go over with your child. The first book dealt with friendships, and this second book deals with being courageous, as well as with showing concern for others. Overall, a good book to share with your little boys.
In a nut shell (or maybe it should be a turtle shell in this case), the book was about 2 boys who decided to go on an imaginary safari, including an overnight camp-out in one boys backyard. While they were camping, the unfamiliar, and sometimes spooky, sounds caused them to start imagining what types of animals the sounds came from - safari animals, of course! For example, an owl was a monkey, a squirrel was a giraffe, a raccoon was an elephant, and a dog was a rhinoceros. They eventually heard a cat (a small leopard) and decided he needed to be rescued from a tree. By early morning, they had not gotten any sleep and were heading back to home base. They realized a nap was in order before they could have any more fun and exciting adventures.
As with the first book, there is a page in the back that includes a Bible verse and some discussion questions to go over with your child. The first book dealt with friendships, and this second book deals with being courageous, as well as with showing concern for others. Overall, a good book to share with your little boys.
Cute illustrations and story. Includes the legend which starts this story and conversation starters for you and your children.
I got a copy of this book through Librarything's Early Reviewer program. I have a four year old son who adores dragons and was really looking forward to reading this book with him. The strong point of this book are the wonderful illustrations. The story is decent too and teaches some good lessons.
Padraig (the dragon) and Roger (the turtle) are determined to camp out all night on a pretend safari. The problem is they keep encountering and hearing dangerous wild animals, for example baby cougars (kittens), etc. They are going to try and make it through the night but when Padraig gets too scared it might be time to retire to the comforts of home.
This book had a lot of strengths. The illustrations are cute and the story is fun. The friends are supportive of each other and when Padraig gets too scared Roger lets him know it's okay to admit you are scared and to try again another time. It's a good example of imaginative play where the characters are pretending to be on safari but are really only in their backyards.
There were also a couple of problems with the book. First of all there is a lot of Brit-speak in here. I thought it was kind of cute, but my four year old found it confusing at points and wanted me to stop and explain what all the words meant or why they were used that way. Okay if you want your kid learning British English, but a bit confusing for kids just learning how to read. The plot was a bit confusing too, at first it wasn't clear whether they were actually on a safari or pretending to be on a safari. At points the pictures actually show giraffes and stuff and at other times they show the actual animals (Raccoons, squirrels). As an adult I found it kind of confusing and my son was totally confused. He thought they lived in the jungle and then wondered why they were calling things a cougar but showing a kitten. So that is a bit confusing also.
Overall though it was definitely a winner for my son. He enjoys the story and grabs it off the bookshelf quite often to read. It is not his favorite book but he enjoys it. I really enjoy the great illustrations but having to stop to explain the British English gets a bit tiresome. Cute story for fans of dragons. Teaches imaginative play and how to be a good and sensitive friend. It is a decent read, but my son and I didn't like it enough to go out and by the first book in this series: The Dragon and the Turtle.
Padraig (the dragon) and Roger (the turtle) are determined to camp out all night on a pretend safari. The problem is they keep encountering and hearing dangerous wild animals, for example baby cougars (kittens), etc. They are going to try and make it through the night but when Padraig gets too scared it might be time to retire to the comforts of home.
This book had a lot of strengths. The illustrations are cute and the story is fun. The friends are supportive of each other and when Padraig gets too scared Roger lets him know it's okay to admit you are scared and to try again another time. It's a good example of imaginative play where the characters are pretending to be on safari but are really only in their backyards.
There were also a couple of problems with the book. First of all there is a lot of Brit-speak in here. I thought it was kind of cute, but my four year old found it confusing at points and wanted me to stop and explain what all the words meant or why they were used that way. Okay if you want your kid learning British English, but a bit confusing for kids just learning how to read. The plot was a bit confusing too, at first it wasn't clear whether they were actually on a safari or pretending to be on a safari. At points the pictures actually show giraffes and stuff and at other times they show the actual animals (Raccoons, squirrels). As an adult I found it kind of confusing and my son was totally confused. He thought they lived in the jungle and then wondered why they were calling things a cougar but showing a kitten. So that is a bit confusing also.
Overall though it was definitely a winner for my son. He enjoys the story and grabs it off the bookshelf quite often to read. It is not his favorite book but he enjoys it. I really enjoy the great illustrations but having to stop to explain the British English gets a bit tiresome. Cute story for fans of dragons. Teaches imaginative play and how to be a good and sensitive friend. It is a decent read, but my son and I didn't like it enough to go out and by the first book in this series: The Dragon and the Turtle.
