Little dragon Drake and his father live in a quiet valley. One day his father decides Drake is a big boy, and sends him off to burn down a few houses in the nearby village. Drake is alarmed but sets out to do as he is told. He targets a little wooden house, but the boy who lives there has a better idea and encourages Drake to burn down the school. Fortunately, the teacher is a quick thinker too and Drake returns home without having burned anything down, though with something to placate his dad. In its quiet way, this is a very funny story and it unfolds with exceptional fluency, the story carried by a longer-than-usual picture book text, full-page colour illustrations and black line vignettes. It poses interesting questions about following orders or doing what’s right, and whether it’s better to be admired or feared! ~ Andrea Reece
To prove to his father that he is a real dragon, young Drake is sent to the local village to cause some mischief and start a fire. But Drake has only ever breathed fire to roast a tasty caterpillar. How will be burn down a whole house? Or a school? Or even an old wooden shack? Has Drake got what it takes to make his father proud? A funny and moving story about the bonds between fathers and children, with a positive, peaceful message - and all the magic and mayhem you'd hope for in a tale about dragons.
Alexandre Lacroix is the editor of Philosophies magazine in Paris, where he lives. He has written several novels for adults, but Dragons, Father and Son is his first book for children.Ronan Badel was born in Brittany then spent time in Paris where he worked as a secondary school art teacher. He now lives in Brittany where he writes and illustrates children's books full time.
