Dragonboy

by Fabio Napoleoni

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

A refreshing, inspiring and genuinely special debut from artist Fabio Napoleoni. The power of imagination and the importance of encouraging creativity is on display as Dragonboy and his gang of lovable friends go adventuring. Dragonboy has hints of Where the Wild Things Are, Pete the Cat and The House at Pooh Corner, which means there’s truly something for everyone. Pick up a copy for your home or as a gift — Dragonboy and his friends’ adventures are just beginning, and you’re welcome to join them!

Reminiscent of Pete the Cat and Llama Llama, Dragonboy begins a new series about a curious, imaginative, playful little boy and his band of lovable stuffed animal friends, which Kirkus described as “a charming journey of discovery, friendship, and acceptance.”

Dragonboy is curious. He is playful, pensive, and kind. More than anything, he is himself: an imaginative little boy who loves to be a dragon. His stuffed-animal friends—Darwin, Yellow Kitty, Simon, and Drako—are always by his side as he explores and discovers something new. Because the best part of an adventure is being with the ones who know you best.

The first in a new series, Dragonboy is the friend every child has been waiting for, a little boy full of empathy and joy who's ready to discover anything and everything our wonderful world has to offer.

Don’t miss the other books about Dragonboy:
Dragonboy and the Wonderful Night
Dragonboy and the 100 Hearts

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316462167
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	09/14/2021
Series:	Dragonboy , #1
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	104,894
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 10.50(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Fabio Napoleoni is the creator of Dragonboy, a character based on his son, and the character Marcenivo, which he began drawing during the many months his infant daughter was battling a life-threatening heart condition. He is also the author of Dragonboy and the Wonderful Night and Dragonboy and the 100 Hearts. Fabio also used his art in his seven years working with troubled and abused children before becoming a full-time artist. He invites you to visit him online at fabionapoleoni.com and on Instagram @fabionapoleoni. Born in Puerto Rico, he now lives in Florida.

Editorial Reviews

07/19/2021

In this picture book series starter, Dragonboy is a round-headed, white-skinned child who loves to dress up in an impressively detailed dragon suit. Today, he and all his plush toys—a yellow cat, a brown sloth, a gray yeti, and a small green dragon—are heading out on a craft called Adventure. “There’s always something waiting for you if your eyes and your mind and your heart are open,” says artist Napoleoni’s aphoristically inclined narrator. After sailing across a sea, the group frolics on a gently rolling hillside that may remind readers of Teletubbies territory. Encountering a sad unicorn named Karley, they assure her that her supposed deficits (“I’m not magical... And I can’t fly”) are what make her special. “We are already who we are supposed to be,” Dragonboy tells her. “Especially when we are together.” While the self-esteem message covers familiar ground, the debut author-illustrator’s acrylic-on-wood-panel illustrations have a sweet-natured theatricality (the sea’s waves are pointy and layered, like a Victorian stage set) and conjure up a green and sunny world, where even a dark forest of twisty trees looks inviting and there’s all the time in the world to count the daisies. Ages 4–8. Agent: Albert Lee, United Talent Agency. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

A Barnes & Noble Best Picture Book of 2021
A Wyoming Buckaroo Book Award Nominee

"A charming journey of discovery, friendship, and acceptance."—Kirkus Reviews

"Lush acrylic paints on wood panels illustrate these adorable characters, and the rich vocabulary will stimulate discussion.... The group realizes that they may all sometimes feel sad or scared, but they all enjoy discovering new things. The underlying message: each of us is exactly as we are supposed to be."—Booklist

"The debut author-illustrator’s acrylic-on-wood-panel illustrations have a sweet-natured theatricality (the sea’s waves are pointy and layered, like a Victorian stage set) and conjure up a green and sunny world, where even a dark forest of twisty trees looks inviting and there’s all the time in the world to count the daisies."—Publishers Weekly

A charmingly rendered costumed Dragonboy and his plushy pals journey to find adventure–and, ultimately, themselves.—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly

 “A charmingly rendered costumed Dragonboy and his plushy pals journey to find adventure—and, ultimately, themselves.”—Entertainment Weekly

From the Publisher

2021-06-29
A young, White, perfectly bald boy wakes up and happily announces, “Rise and shine, everyone,” as his stuffed animal friends rouse from their slumber.

He quickly dresses in a green dragon costume, and, anticipating adventure, they all travel to a fantastical world. Discoveries unfold agreeably until they meet someone new, a rainbow-horned white unicorn named Karley. She is too sad to play, as Karley isn’t magical and can’t fly like other unicorns. Everyone empathizes with Karley and shares how they are different than expected too. Dragonboy declares, “We are already who we are supposed to be,” which brings forth joy and dancing. After a great day, Dragonboy and friends fall back to sleep as Karley heads down a different hall, back to her room. She falls asleep, content with acceptance. In this first of a new picture-book series, debut author and illustrator Napoleoni uses acrylic paints on wood panels to create a vibrant world. Vivid colors and enchanting, emotive characters work seamlessly with the text to take readers on a journey of empathy and compassion. Hearts are hidden throughout the illustrations, culminating in the final spread with Karley sleeping in bed with a pale, black-haired child named Molly. Molly’s headboard is rainbow colored, and a sign hangs above, reading “One L♡ve, L♡ve all,” opening the door for thoughtful discussion and eager anticipation for Molly’s adventure. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A charming journey of discovery, friendship, and acceptance. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews