Strong: There is more than one way to be...

by Clara Anganuzzi, Clara Anganuzzi (Illustrator)

Overview

Maurice isn’t like the other dragons—but will they learn to accept him just he way he is?

Maurice is different from the other dragons. He isn’t very scary, and he doesn’t like to breathe fire. In fact, what he loves most in the world is flowers! Being gentle and quiet doesn’t mean that Maurice can’t be bold and strong—but will the dragons accept him for who he really is? A touching story about friendship, being brave, and staying true to oneself.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781664300408
Publisher:	Tiger Tales.
Publication date:	05/07/2024
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	216,649
Product dimensions:	10.63(w) x 9.38(h) x 0.42(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Clara Anganuzzi was raised in the Seychelles Islands, where she would draw on every surface she could find. She has always had a fond love for the sea and all types of critters, who often inhabit her drawings. Clara now spends her days doodling in her plant-filled studio overlooking Bristol.

Clara Anganuzzi was raised in the Seychelles Islands, where she would draw on every surface she could find. She has always had a fond love for the sea and all types of critters, who often inhabit her drawings. Clara now spends her days doodling in her plant-filled studio overlooking Bristol.

Editorial Reviews

A gentle dragon learns self-acceptance.

Maurice, who’s white with pale-blue wings, isn’t like the other dragons, who love to show off their magnificent horns and their ability to breathe huge fireballs. Much like the protagonist of Munro Leaf’s The Story of Ferdinand (1936), Maurice prefers flowers to displays of machismo. He swoops through billowy grasses, a blossom tucked behind his ear, smiling serenely, as he seeks flowers to arrange into lovely bouquets. Every year, the dragons take part in a competition to see who’s the strongest. Maurice’s brother, the aptly named Gruff, usually wins. This year, Maurice decides to try his luck, too. Unfortunately, his fireball is no more than a tiny puff, and his floral-embellished horns don’t impress the judges. “I’m not strong, or brave, or scary,” Maurice reflects sadly. “I’ll never be like the other dragons.” Then Gruff goes missing during the final phase of the tournament. In a delightful twist, Maurice’s flower-weaving skills suddenly save the day and make him the star of the show. Even Gruff begins to realize that strength comes in many forms. Readers will be pleased to see that just like his beloved flowers, which flourish among the hard rocks, Maurice opens up and blooms, too. Soaring overhead perspectives and images of wide, outstretched wings capture the essence of these aerial beasts and their habitat. —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2024-02-03
A gentle dragon learns self-acceptance.

Maurice, who’s white with pale-blue wings, isn’t like the other dragons, who love to show off their magnificent horns and their ability to breathe huge fireballs. Much like the protagonist of Munro Leaf’s The Story of Ferdinand (1936), Maurice prefers flowers to displays of machismo. He swoops through billowy grasses, a blossom tucked behind his ear, smiling serenely, as he seeks flowers to arrange into lovely bouquets. Every year, the dragons take part in a competition to see who’s the strongest. Maurice’s brother, the aptly named Gruff, usually wins. This year, Maurice decides to try his luck, too. Unfortunately, his fireball is no more than a tiny puff, and his floral-embellished horns don’t impress the judges. “I’m not strong, or brave, or scary,” Maurice reflects sadly. “I’ll never be like the other dragons.” Then Gruff goes missing during the final phase of the tournament. In a delightful twist, Maurice’s flower-weaving skills suddenly save the day and make him the star of the show. Even Gruff begins to realize that strength comes in many forms. Readers will be pleased to see that just like his beloved flowers, which flourish among the hard rocks, Maurice opens up and blooms, too. Soaring overhead perspectives and images of wide, outstretched wings capture the essence of these aerial beasts and their habitat.

Nonconformity shines in this sweetly tender tale. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews