December 12, 2024 By Maria
On my way out of the library, I always check for a new edition of the free Bookpage magazine. This magazine promotes newly published books. I usually flip through it a few times and then write the books that interest me on an ongoing list. I will either look for them in the library immediately or save the new titles for a rainy day. When I saw The Bakery Dragon listed in the children’s book section, I knew it would be a hit with my kids and immediately placed an interlibrary loan hold.
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The Bakery Dragon is by Devin Elle Kurtz, who started Photoshop painting at the age of two when her mother handed her a tablet pen. She started her career in the animation industry and now illustrates books. This is her first authored and illustrated picture book. Her illustrations give off a cozy feeling and are reminiscent of Studio Ghibli’s work.
I love how light plays into Kurtz’s illustrations. The cozy glow makes the piles of baked rolls look even more delicious. In the story, a little dragon named Ember, who is terrible at plundering and hoarding gold, accidentally comes upon a bakery. The welcoming baker teaches Ember how to make bread. After assisting the baker, he happily returns to the dragon caves with a hoard of golden rolls. Ember decides to share his scrumptious hoard with his fellow dragons. Their newfound love of bread brings a change in the dragons’ behavior that the villagers joyfully welcome.
My kids love dragon stories and are currently getting into DnD (Dungeons and Dragons). This story fits their current and ongoing interests. Besides, when are cute dragons and yummy bread not fun to read about? This book makes me want to start baking or go visit a bakery like I used to as a kid with my parents. I remember walking into an Italian bakery with my dad, smelling the mouthwatering bread, and hoping we’d walk out with a focaccia and not just our usual loaves of bread (Sometimes we did get both). As the weather gets colder, it’s the perfect time to throw a loaf of bread or a batch of scones in the oven and curl up with a book while the aroma of baking bread fills the air. Get cozy and get reading!
More Bookshelves Please 