The Great Dragon Bake Off Book Review

by Unknown - Monday, August 22, 2016

How exciting! This is my very first picture story book review and although most of my book reviews are on young adult books, it’s nice to go back to the basics and read something with lots of illustrations and little text because it takes me right back to my childhood.

The review is a lot shorter than some of the others I have written just because the book itself is very short and it is a picture story book, intended for children, therefore is quite simplistic. However, it is very cute and older readers will enjoy it!

About the book.

Book: The Great Dragon Bake Off
Series: Nicola O'Bbryne
Author: Michelle Hodkin
Pages: 32
RRP: $15
Publisher: Bloombury Children (Allen & Unwin)
Publishing date: 1/08/2016
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: At the Ferocious Dragon Academy, dragons-in-training learn the arts of bone crunching and teeth sharpening. But there is one dragon who harbours a passion for a most undragon-like pastime . . .

Meet Flamie Oliver. To look at, Flamie is as terrifying as a dragon can get. But behind closed doors, Flamie is . . . a stupendously spectacular Star Baker! That's right – choux, rough, salty, sweet and puff – Flamie loves it all. In fact, he loves baking so much that his studies at the Ferocious Dragon Academy are starting to suffer, and there's a chance he won't graduate! Flamie's going to need a real showstopper to get out of this one.

On your marks, get set . . . BAKE!
Genre: Picture Book
Recommended for: Anyone 5+

I want to thank Allen And Unwin for sending me a copy to review, however, all opinions expressed are my own and I was not paid to say any of these things!

My thoughts.

SUMMARY

The Great Dragon Bake Off written by Nicola O’Byrne is a beautiful and fun picture story book for young readers. However, it can be read by anyone who is looking for something cute and funny.

It’s about a dragon that loves to bake but his cooking means his studies at the Ferocious Dragon Academy are starting to suffer and he might not graduate. He needs a real show stopper to be able to graduate!

With full colour images over double pages and the most adorable illustrations and easy to read text, the book is very enjoyable.

COVER + ILLUSTRATIONS

The cover and illustrations are absolutely insane! The cover is so beautiful and vibrant and fun and even though the main character is a dragon, it is apparent he is a very cute and friendly dragon. The illustrations inside are eye catching!

IDEA

Now I’m a bit biased about this book because it is about baking and my blog is part baking, part book which is what drew me to the book in the first place. However, the idea is fun, original, creative and very well presented in an engaging format.

The book teaches its readers to follow their passions. It’s also very humorous and overly dramatic, making it an enjoyable read.

PLOT

The plot is simple and flows well which is perfect for young children. I can already imagine a lot of my younger cousins loving this book.

However, I will say that the end was very sudden and didn’t make a whole lot of sense but I suppose it doesn’t matter too much since it is a children’s book and more for enjoyment and fun than for an actual story line.

CHARACTERS

Flamie, the dragon, was adorable. He was cute and sweet and an awesome character. Princess Rosewater was optimistic and cool and very level headed, which made for another great protagonist. I feel like a lot of younger readers will find Princess Rosewater a great character and role model because she was headstrong and brave and be inspired by Flamie's courage to break the norm and do what he really loved!

FINALLY…

It has been a short one, but there wasn’t too much to be said in picture story book other than it is cute and awesome. If you have a younger sibling or cousin or niece, they should read it because it’s perfect for them.

And if you’re a bit older but wanting to relive some childhood memories, do pick it up because it’s very sweet and ABOUT BAKING!!!