Title: A New Friend for Dragon | Author: Bianca Schulze | Illustrator: Samara Hardy | Genre: Picture Book | Publisher: Clever Publishing  | Release Date: August 20, 2024 | ISBN: 9798888670934

Publisher’s Book Summary: In this most recent tale in Clever’s beloved Dragon series, a new knight has come to town! Sir Fiero wears smooth, shiny armor and has a sparkling silver sword. Dragon wants to be friends with him and invites him to play. But Sir Fiero doesn’t believe that dragons and knights can be friends—or can they? A sweet tale of friendship and challenging stereotypes.

My Thoughts: Like so many young children experience, Dragon just wants to make a new friend. But the friend in mind, Sir Fiero, doesn’t think that’s a good idea. Knights are supposed to capture dragons, cage dragons, even slay dragons….not play with dragons. Just like princesses are supposed to be rescued, right? Not in this trope-defying picture book! With a clever break-the-fourth-wall voice and a main character that won’t give up trying, A New Friend for Dragon gets young readers to help Dragon win over Sir Fiero and become friends. It’s a sweet, engaging story that flips every classic stereotype on its head. A definite winner with young ones and a very fun read aloud! Highly recommended.

About the Author: Bianca Schulze is the founder and editor of The Children’s Book Review—a resource devoted to children’s literature and literacy—and the host of The Growing Readers Podcast.

Bianca is also the author of the popular Don’t Wake the Dragon series (translated into 20 languages) and the bestselling 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (an Amazon “Book of the Month”). She is a reader, reviewer, mother, and children’s book lover. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Bianca now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

For more information, visit biancaschulze.com

About the Illustrator: Samara Hardy is an experienced illustrator and designer. She has created artwork for clients worldwide for greeting cards, stationery, homewares, children’s books, and more. She lives in Surrey, England.

For more information, visit samarahardy.com

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Giveaway: Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a signed copy of A New Friend for Dragon, two Hydro Flask cups (one for a child and one for an adult), and Dragon stickers to decorate them.

Click here for the entry form: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/a-new-friend-for-dragon-by-bianca-schulze-the-awareness-tour/. Good luck!

Tour Schedule

A sincere thank you to the author for a review copy of the book read in partnership with The Children’s Book Review.