Strong

by Clara Anganuzzi

Maurice is different to the other dragons. He isn’t very scary, and he doesn’t like to breathe fire or snarl or growl. In fact, what Maurice loves most in the world is flowers! But will the others ever accept him for who he really is?

A beautiful story about being the odd one out, and all the different ways to be brave.

Clara Anganuzzi's vibrant and enchanting artwork takes little readers on a journey to a world of dragons, magic and self acceptance. Gently introduce your little one to the idea that it's okay to be different with this beautiful book.

Genres: Picture Books, Dragons, Childrens, Animals, Juvenile

40 pages, Hardcover

Published June 9, 2022

About the author

Clara Anganuzzi would draw on every surface she could find as a child growing up in Seychelles. She enjoys using a mixture of traditional techniques to create narrative images and characters with subtle, gentle humor. She lives in Bristol, England.

Reviews

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong is a children's picture book that shows the young readers that there is more than one way to be strong and that it doesn't have to mean being brave and tough.

In Strong we meet a group of dragons, including Maurice who isn't like the others who enjoy a good scare and breathing fire, he loves flowers and when his brother is injured Maurice soon shows the others how he can use his skills to help and proves to the other dragons that he is strong.

I loved this book. It has a great message, it was a fab read and the illustrations are just beautiful. The colours pop off the page and they show the dragons, including Maurice in a brilliant light.

A wonderful read and one I can see its young readers loving.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most dragons are bold and ferocious, breathing fire and looking scary. But Maurice is quiet and gentle. He loves to arrange flowers and take care of plants. He thinks he will never be able to fit in or be accepted by the other dragons, until his brother goes missing. Only Maurice has the special knowledge and courage to find his brother and show all the other dragons that he has his own type of strength.

This is such a sweet book! I love the themes of acceptance, belonging, and being true to yourself. Maurice is a very relatable and compelling character.

The illustrations are beautiful! I love the swirling style of the art, and the way the colors evoke certain emotions as the story progresses. Wonderful!


Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this at work this morning while taking a break from checking in returns, and... ugh, it's so cute and sweet. And I love the art.

[Olivia]

See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/strong...

STRONG is a sweet picture book about being different and inner strength. Maurice is a dragon, but he is not like the other dragons, as loves being quiet and enjoying the flowers. There is a big competition to figure out who is the strongest competition - and the winner is usually Gruff, Maurice's brother.

This year, Maurice is competing and wants to win, but when he sees how the fire they blow hurts the flowers, he can't do it. When he tries to look fierce, the dragons notice his horns are made of flowers. When it comes to finding the gold, there is a storm and Maurice knows they shouldn't go out. However, a determined Gruff goes out anyway. When he doesn't come back, the other dragons know he probably needs help. Luckily, Maurice has a plan, and he is able to lead them all to find his brother and get him safely home. They all realize that there is more than one type of strength.

What I loved: This is such a sweet story about finding your own paths and celebrating different types of strength. Maurice is a sympathetic character who feels different than the other dragons, something many children can relate to. He learns to embrace himself as he is, and the other dragons also appreciate his own brand of creativity and bravery. There is no right way to be yourself, and this story helps children learn to appreciate their own uniqueness.

The pictures are just lovely throughout. The way Maurice is depicted along with his flowers is just stunning. There are plenty of colors and details to keep young readers engaged in the story, and the pages turn at a length of text that will work perfectly for elementary school aged readers.

Final verdict: STRONG is a charming celebration of inner strength and embracing ourselves as we are - even if we're not quite like everyone else. This story is sure to resonate with elementary school aged readers who have ever felt a little bit different.

Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not only do some dragons not breathe fire, but some--like Maurice in this picture book--are much more interested in gentler pursuits such as sniffing and arranging flowers. Of course, even among dragons, being different in any way makes someone rather suspect, and Maurice suffers from his failure in the tests of strength and fire breathing in which others like his brother Gruff excel. Gruff tends to be fearless, even flying into a storm in search of treasure. However, when he fails to return, Maurice is part of a rescue party. Even though the others belittle him as he gathers willow branches, they have to eat their words since Maurice has come up with the perfect way to bring the injured Gruff back home. Finally, Maurice feels seen and valued. This picture book's powerful message of being true to oneself no matter how others may react is poignant and relevant for today's world. The artwork--digital, I think--features swirling colors and expressive dragon faces as well as a bouquet or two. This would be a helpful read aloud for sharing at the start of a school year.

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Maurice is not your average dragon. He is small, gentle, and quiet. Oh, and he absolutely adores flowers!" With this description is there any surprise that most of the other dragons don't think he is strong? But sometimes even the "strongest" among us learn that there are other ways of being strong than what they personify, and sometimes that seemingly hidden strength helps to save those who are larger and tougher than themselves.

It is when we recognize various types of strength and combine them that we can be truly strong.

On the surface, this was about dragons, but I feel like it could also be about men, boys, or even just kids in general.

In addition to a wonderful message and interesting story, this book also has adorable illustrations.

This has quite a bit of text, so I wouldn't use it with the littlest littles, but I think it could work well with an elementary crowd.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet picture book about a gentle dragon who doesn't fit in with the strong, fierce, terrifying dragons in his community. But when his special talents are needed to save a fellow dragon, Maurice realizes that there are many ways to be strong. Not necessarily groundbreaking, but sweet and sure to be appreciated by families of gentle children.

[Lynsaroo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never be anyone but your authentic self!
🌼 It’s that time of year when the dragons gather to compete and see who is strongest. Gentle, quiet Maurice much prefers to weave flowers than breathe flames like the others. When his brother, Gruff, is hurt during the games, Maurice uses his skills to save the day.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives strong Ferdinand vibes. Maurice is a dragon who likes flowers. His brother is always winning the dragon competitions until he gets hurt and Maurice saves the day with his knowledge of flowers and sticks.

[S46354595 · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many different ways to be strong, and this highlights that perfectly! So cute! So powerful! Loved it!

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about Maurice, a gentle dragon who doesn't quite fit in. When he saves his brother, the other dragons finally appreciate him and they all realize there are many ways to be strong.

[Taylor Kundel-Gower · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 It's a good message with really pretty illustrations, but it's a little didactic and heavy handed.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty much Ferdinand with dragons.

"Sometimes they breathe flames, but sometimes the breathe flowers."

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maurice is a lil softie dragon 🥴 It's sad that often people don't see your worth until you do something directly for them. I'm glad that Maurice will finally get the respect he deserves!