Once Upon a Dragon’s Fire

This enchanting picture book regales with the power of story as author-illustrator Blue follows Freya, a child with freckled light brown skin and blue-gray eyes, and Sylas, a pale-skinned kid with a dark blue topknot. Residents of a village in a magical kingdom, they “loved reading stories about the dragon out loud to each other”—despite rumors of how terrifying the dragon actually is. When a snowstorm threatens the village’s safety, the duo sets out to stop the dragon, whom they presume responsible. But when they reach the dragon’s mountaintop lair, the pair discovers a creature quite different from the narratives they’ve consumed. Blue presents sweeping cinematic scenes rendered in a friendly yet intricate style, highlighted by vibrant colors and expressive, dynamic characters amid gorgeously immersive fantastical landscapes. A creative origin fable offering a tender reminder to abstain from stereotyping and to extend care to others. Ages 4–7. [em](Mar.) [/em]