English / Great Britain
Franklin’s flying bookshop
Campbell, Jen
(text)
Harnett, Katie
(illus.)
London: Thames & Hudson, 2017. – [32] p.
ISBN 978-0-500-65109-4
Dragon | Reading | Prejudice | Fear | Friendship | Picture book
Reading age: 4+
White Ravens issue: 2018
In fantasy tales and legends, dragons are usually ferocious and bloodthirsty beasts. Franklin may be huge, green, and scaly, but a fierce monster he is not. On the contrary: The solitary reptile is a true bookworm, who enjoys snuggling up in his cave with reading material ranging from King Arthur and roller skating, to baking and the Vikings. His heart’s desire is to share these treasures with everyone, but whenever he tries to approach the people in the nearby village, they run off terrified. Until, one day, he meets fellow book-devourer Luna. Together they set up a flying bookshop and challenge people’s prejudices. This touching magical tale about a tea-drinking, erudite dragon and an adventurous kind-hearted girl, brought together by their love for reading, is further enriched by the colourful, matt illustrations in different sizes. Executed in warm shades of red and green, the pictures perfectly capture both the mix of modern and fairy-tale setting and the amiable, headstrong protagonists.