MAX’S DRAGON
by Kate Banks & illustrated by Boris Kulikov
Another winner from the pair that introduced Max in Max’s Words (2006). This time, he’s on a quest for rhyming words. His imaginary dragon leads him in and out of a croquet game and a pouring thunderstorm. When the obstreperous dragon gets out of hand, how does Max curtail him? He makes a new rhyme, of course: “My dragon’s fury makes me worry.” Amusing wordplay and impish illustrations play off each other in perfect syncopation. With whimsical textures and perspectives, the artwork makes the story pop and expands the text with almost palpable visuals, such as his knit sweaters or the cover title, which is filled with orange scales and claws on the bottom of the letters “M” and “X.” Offering wonderful opportunities for use by Art and Language Arts teachers, the combination of the boy’s point of view, words that rhyme and an imaginary friend are hard to beat. (Picture book. 4-8)