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Dragon Meets Boy
Michael Slack's Dragon Meets Boy is a moving friendship story about the universal joys and tender heartaches of growing up, for fans of Toy Story.One summer day a boy meets a dragon. They become instant friends and share incredible adventures together. When Boy is sad, Dragon cheers him up. When Boy is scared, Dragon makes him feel brave. But, in time, things start to change. Boy gets bigger, while Dragon stays the same. Dragon seems so lonely, until the circle continues with a new generation with Boy’s daughter!This deftly poignant story captures the lifelong friendship between a child and a beloved toy.Christy Ottaviano Books
40 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2020
39 people want to read
About the author
Michael Slack
65 books29 followersMichael is an author, illustrator, and character designer. He uses bold colors, and fun shapes to create his quirky character-driven art. His illustrations can be found in books, magazines and on television. He has designed artwork for various children's products and apparel. His paintings and drawings have been exhibited in the U.S. and Europe.
Michael is represented by Painted-Words Represents
Michael is represented by Painted-Words Represents
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 8, 2020
Picture books aren't supposed to make us cry, are they? Dragon Meets Boy made me cry. It's the story of a boy who goes on lots and lots of adventures with his toy dragon. Time passes, and Boy goes off to college, leaving Dragon behind to guard his treasures. Much time passes, and Dragon falls into a deep sleep. Dragon is finally awakened by someone seeking to take the treasures; Dragon must guard them. But then who does Dragon see, but a grownup Boy with a young girl at his side. Now it is time for Dragon and Girl to go on adventures together, with Boy watching happily from afar.
August 13, 2021
My young toddler has been obsessed with this book for months. It is a must read before bed every night. The story is of a young boy with a toy dragon, and the progression from young boy to adult and the role the dragon plays in the boy's life. The end of the story will tug at the parent's heart; everyone I know who has read this cried or came close to it the first time reading, and sometimes many times after as well.
What I don't like about this book is that the pages tear easy with young hands, and there are more sentences than necessary on many pages to tell the story. I have condensed much of the middle of the book for my young toddler as she doesn't yet have the attention span, but that condensing hasn't actually affected the story being told, so I think it could be more succinct. For those who have the book, I'm referring in particular to the time the dragon spends in the box and the page directly after he is pulled out.
I do, however, love the symmetry between first and last pages. I just wish there was a version where the genders were reversed.
What I don't like about this book is that the pages tear easy with young hands, and there are more sentences than necessary on many pages to tell the story. I have condensed much of the middle of the book for my young toddler as she doesn't yet have the attention span, but that condensing hasn't actually affected the story being told, so I think it could be more succinct. For those who have the book, I'm referring in particular to the time the dragon spends in the box and the page directly after he is pulled out.
I do, however, love the symmetry between first and last pages. I just wish there was a version where the genders were reversed.
January 18, 2021
A toy dragon enjoys a special friendship with a boy until the boy grows up and outgrows him.
An anthropomorphic toy dragon loves a boy. He is the boy’s constant companion always there to play, to console, and to explore. Eventually, the boy grows up and places the dragon in a cardboard storage box with his other childhood treasures.
At first, dragon waits optimistically for the boy’s return, happily guarding the boy’s prized possessions. Slowly, he loses hope and eventually lapses into a deep sleep. Then suddenly, years and years later, the box opens, and the dragon awakens.
It is the boy whose daughter is the same age he was when he received the toy dragon. Dragon is overjoyed. He and the girl form the same special bond as he and the boy once shared, and the cycle begins again.
This is a story for grownups in picture book format. Young readers probably won’t appreciate the depiction of growing up and leaving one’s childhood behind. And this story will probably be unhelpful for children whose rooms are overflowing with toys because it reinforces the belief that their toys will be sad if they get rid of any of them.
This book will appeal to fans of the “Toy Story” animated films and The Brave Little Toaster book and/or animated film.
An anthropomorphic toy dragon loves a boy. He is the boy’s constant companion always there to play, to console, and to explore. Eventually, the boy grows up and places the dragon in a cardboard storage box with his other childhood treasures.
At first, dragon waits optimistically for the boy’s return, happily guarding the boy’s prized possessions. Slowly, he loses hope and eventually lapses into a deep sleep. Then suddenly, years and years later, the box opens, and the dragon awakens.
It is the boy whose daughter is the same age he was when he received the toy dragon. Dragon is overjoyed. He and the girl form the same special bond as he and the boy once shared, and the cycle begins again.
This is a story for grownups in picture book format. Young readers probably won’t appreciate the depiction of growing up and leaving one’s childhood behind. And this story will probably be unhelpful for children whose rooms are overflowing with toys because it reinforces the belief that their toys will be sad if they get rid of any of them.
This book will appeal to fans of the “Toy Story” animated films and The Brave Little Toaster book and/or animated film.
September 22, 2021
Dragon Meets Boy by Michael Slack is a storybook that reminds me of my time watching Toy Story when I was younger. The book is told from the perspective of a stuffed toy that enjoys spending time with a young child. If you pay close attention, the front end pages consist of the little boy playing with the stuffed dragon. The book goes on to show the two spending time together through colorful and fun illustrations. They go on adventures and do just about everything together until the boy grows older. He puts all of his childhood toys in a box and closes it. This begins a dark period where the illustrations portray sadness on the dragon's part as he feels lonely and forgotten. The box eventually opens up to a little girl that we come to know as the now grown boy's sister. These two become the next part of the story. The end pages now show the little grow playing with the stuffed dragon. This would be a great book for 2nd graders.
December 2, 2020
Told from the point of view of Dragon, a stuffed toy, this is the story of Dragon's friendship with Boy. Dragon and Boy are great friends, even as Boy grows and their adventures change. One day Dragon is placed in a 'cave' and told to guard Boy's greatest treasures. When the cave is finally opened years later is reveals Girl, who is a new friend for Dragon. It's cute to see this story from the view of the dragon, and the illustrations are cute.
Maybe because I'm a librarian, maybe because I'm a book lover, but I noticed several times when there are books in the illustrations where it is clear what the book is. Apparently, this author really enjoyed "curious George" and "Where the wild things are" as a child, as each shows up at least three times, including in the box of treasures.
Maybe because I'm a librarian, maybe because I'm a book lover, but I noticed several times when there are books in the illustrations where it is clear what the book is. Apparently, this author really enjoyed "curious George" and "Where the wild things are" as a child, as each shows up at least three times, including in the box of treasures.
September 26, 2020
This books has sparks of TOY STORY and PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON, a celebration of the genuine love of a boy and his toy dragon. Both take their relationship and responsibilities seriously, even as the boy ages. That journey involves lively fun, gentle sidelining, and then a frightening period of what seem to be abandonment. The eventual resolution, the full-circle moment at the end is heartwarming and charming.
June 9, 2021
A boy has a stuffed dragon and they go on many adventures together. The boy grows up and they spend less time together.
The boy puts the dragon in a box and it stays there for a LONG time.
Then, the dragon is finally taken out of the box and sees a girl, who is apparently the daughter of the boy. The little girl and the dragon go on many adventures together.
I feel like this is a story more for the parents than for the kids.
The boy puts the dragon in a box and it stays there for a LONG time.
Then, the dragon is finally taken out of the box and sees a girl, who is apparently the daughter of the boy. The little girl and the dragon go on many adventures together.
I feel like this is a story more for the parents than for the kids.
August 26, 2020
This is essentially just the plot of Toy Story 3. A toy dragon is a little boy's favorite, and they go on many great adventures together. When the boy grows older, the dragon is put in a box to guard the boy's other treasures, and later, given to the boy's daughter to continue having great adventures. Kid-friendly illustrations.
February 15, 2021
So similar to Toy Story but a good read nonetheless. Who hasn't had a childhood toy that takes them on adventures and then wants to pass those toy memories on to the next generation? I especially like the references to classic children's literature books.
December 15, 2021
A cute book about a dragon and his boy. This is essentially the life-cycle of a well-beloved (sturdy, well-made) toy that is then recycled (given new adventures) by sharing it with the next generation.
June 30, 2020
When this boy says forever friend, he means it! The tale of two best friends, the changes and finally a sweet (but also somewhat sad) ending. A book about time as well as friends.
July 29, 2020
Such a beautiful book! Similar to Toy Story, and yet unique - and even more heart-warming!
August 11, 2020
Cute book about friendship!
October 26, 2020
Wow. What a roller-coaster of emotions!
November 7, 2020
If Puff the Magic Dragon and Toy Story had a baby it’s be this book. A great gift for a child.
December 5, 2020
Very Toy Story-ish! In all the best ways.
Tears.
Tears.
January 16, 2021
A story about childhood and growing up, and passing down legacies.
June 8, 2021
A growing up story through the ideas of a stuffed dragon.
The front and end pages (of dragon on adventures with the boy and the girl respectively) are really cute.
The front and end pages (of dragon on adventures with the boy and the girl respectively) are really cute.
June 27, 2022
Don't mind me crying at the service desk... This one hits home for me as my stuffed animal best friend was a purple dinosaur (Barney) too. Perfect for Toy Story fans.
April 22, 2024
I was not ready to be emotionally destroyed by this book
December 6, 2024
This book is PERFECT for Dylan James, my great nephew who be 5 soonish
July 31, 2025
This is an excellent book that makes me cry each time. It is worth buying and sending to anyone who’s having kids.
But is that unkind? It is truly a wonderful boat. But it truly will make you cry.
But is that unkind? It is truly a wonderful boat. But it truly will make you cry.
March 14, 2026
A little boy gets a stuffed dragon. They do everything together. as the boy gets older and bigger, dragon stays the same. I liked the illustrations, but the story was too sad for me.
February 14, 2023
I really enoyed reading this book. I think it had such a sweet and heartfelt meaning about a little boy having a dragon friend. This story is about a little boy that meets a dragon. They instantly become best friends and go on all sorts of adventures togehter. Dragon was this little boys support system and made him feel at peace. However, as he started to get older, he didn't seem to need him anymore and tucked him away. The dragon started to feel lonely and as the boy was getting older the dragon stayed the exaxt same. In the end I think the boy had brought dragon back out and it showed him giving dragon to his daughter now. I think the purpose of this story was about friendship and about growing up.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews