| Picture Books That Explore and Illuminate |
When a Dragon Moves In
Written by Jodi Moore, Illustrated by Howard McWilliam
Written by Jodi Moore, Illustrated by Howard McWilliam
If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in.
And that's exactly what happens to one very lucky boy at the beach. Dad is busy sunbathing and
Mom is busy with her book, so the boy and dragon roam the beach together, flying a kite,
braving the waves, and roasting marshmallows.
But no one believes him when he shares the news of his magnificent dragon: Mom only hears the
roar of the ocean, Dad thinks the dragon feather is a seagull feather, and know-it-all sis claims
there's no such thing as a dragon.
That's when the sandwiches mysteriously disappear, claw prints are found in the brownies, and
dragon-giggles erupt from the strangest of places. Heh-heh-heh.
Is there truly a mischievous dragon running around on the beach or is someone's imagination
running wild? Decide for yourself When a Dragon Moves In.
And that's exactly what happens to one very lucky boy at the beach. Dad is busy sunbathing and
Mom is busy with her book, so the boy and dragon roam the beach together, flying a kite,
braving the waves, and roasting marshmallows.
But no one believes him when he shares the news of his magnificent dragon: Mom only hears the
roar of the ocean, Dad thinks the dragon feather is a seagull feather, and know-it-all sis claims
there's no such thing as a dragon.
That's when the sandwiches mysteriously disappear, claw prints are found in the brownies, and
dragon-giggles erupt from the strangest of places. Heh-heh-heh.
Is there truly a mischievous dragon running around on the beach or is someone's imagination
running wild? Decide for yourself When a Dragon Moves In.
Hardcover, 32 full color pages, ages 4-8
ISBN 9780979974670, May 2011
ISBN 9780979974670, May 2011
Praise for When a Dragon Moves In
Featured in Barnes & Noble stores
From Kirkus Reviews
Doesn’t every child want a dragon? Well, "[i]f you build the perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in," and in this funny and creative riff
on cause and effect, that's exactly what happens. At first, things are perfect: You have a friend to play with, a permanent bully deterrent, a
built-in marshmallow toaster and an ever-present raft. But then things start to get complicated. You have to feed the dragon and clean up
after him—and no one will believe you when you explain that the dragon is the one to blame. Was that a dragon-ish cackle coming from
inside the sandcastle? Be careful what you wish for! Colorful, cartoony illustrations brim with humor as they depict this animated boy and
the impish dragon who may or may not entirely exist. The deadpan text is sure to illicit giggles as it captures the conundrum of an
imaginary friend with a child's eye and provides a gentle acceptance of the mild misbehavior that sometimes accompanies imaginative
play. Oh, well. Maybe it's time to get rid of the dragon, as long as you are polite about it. But if you build another perfect sandcastle,
perhaps he'll come back (with friends) tomorrow. A sandy complement to If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
From Publishers Weekly
Fans of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and its sequels should enjoy how debut author Moore, channeling an imaginative boy at the
beach with his family, muses upon the consequences of having a bright red dragon take up lodging in his sand castle. At first it's all fun and
games ("...you'll have a built-in marshmallow toaster"), with a little subterfuge thrown in (since there's no smoking on the beach, "you'll
have to hide his smoke from the lifeguard"). But as the day wears on, the fantasy begins to impinge on others. Ultimately, the cardinal sin
of the beach is committed: throwing sand at one's annoying big sister. "Then you'll march over to your sandcastle and order your dragon
to leave until he learns some manners," says the narrator, who seems firm in his resolution, but who will live to pretend another day.
Although it's not the freshest concept on the shelves, Moore has a light, sure touch, and she gives McWilliam (I Need My Monster)
plenty of room to exercise his considerable gifts for operatic expressiveness and expertly choreographed physical humor.
From Children's Literature
"If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in." So begins the narrative of a castle builder on the beach, and so it happens, at
least in his imagination. He notes all the advantages of having a dragon, like a built-in marshmallow toaster and a protector from bullies.
When he tries to tell his mother, father, and sister about it, however, they don't believe him. Then the dragon starts causing trouble, like
eating all the sandwiches, making bubbles in the lemonade, and nibbling the brownies. His parents blame him and draw the line. He
decides to make the dragon leave, vowing never to make a perfect sand castle again, "At least until tomorrow." The delightfully
humorous fantasy introduces the enthusiastic sand architect and the happy, fire-belching dragon on the jacket. McWilliam uses a pencil
to create the lively duo and the supporting cast and props; color is supplied by digital acrylic. The cartoon-y scenes contrast the usual
activities of the family with the imaginary but plausible behavior of the playful dragon. The beginning end pages show the happy family
arriving at the beach. On the final end pages, a host of eager youngsters are constructing sand castles on the beach, each with a resident
dragon. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
From School Library Journal
While enjoying a day at the beach with his family, a boy builds a perfect sand castle and a dragon promptly moves in toting a well-worn
suitcase. The youngster can’t believe his luck while the rest of the family can’t believe him. Mischief blamed on the dragon eventually gets
the child in trouble, but that doesn’t stop him from building an even better castle the next day. While the text is fun, the story is truly told
through the comical illustrations. The friendly red dragon’s expressions are hilarious whether he is joyfully flying a kite, gobbling
sandwiches, or has his snout wrapped in a towel to smother his smoke. Readers will enjoy pointing out what could be real-life
explanations for everything the boy attributes to it. Certainly “no beach bully would dare stomp your castle with a dragon inside.” (But it
would run from an angry dad, pictured behind the narrator.) From the delighted face of the boy when he finds the dragon, to the
frustration of the parents when the creature has caused too much trouble, the story and pictures show a classic family outing.
This story of a runaway imagination will make for an entertaining storytime as well as an enjoyable one-on-one read.
From Library Media Connection
Recommendation: Highly Recommended
“If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in,” complete with his suitcase. A dragon can be a lot of fun to play with on the
beach, great for toasting marshmallows and serving as your own personal raft. But some people might not believe that you really have a
toothy, feathered, roaring dragon in your sandcastle, or that it was the dragon who ate all the peanut butter sandwiches, left fingerprints in
the brownies, and sprayed your sister with sand. This picture book cleverly toes the line between reality and imagination during a little
boy’s exuberant day at the beach. Digitally painted illustrations show a goofily endearing red dragon and the expressive little boy who is
his soulmate as they revel in each other’s company. Warmly caricatured people, cinematic pacing, and gleaming pages give this a
look that is just short of animation itself. This is a crowd-pleasing merger of sly text and pictures that will tickle many a
funny bone. Reviewed by Jan Aldrich Solow, Librarian, A. Scott Crossfield Elementary School, Herndon, VA
From Bayviews, the review journal of the Association of Children’s Librarians of Northern California
Recommendation: HIGH ADDITIONAL
During a sunny day at the beach, an unnamed boy builds the perfect sandcastle and, as a result, is befriended by an imaginary dragon. As
the day goes on, the boy and the dragon become irritable and start misbehaving, ending up spraying sand all over the boy’s sister. Using a
circular format, the story is told in hilarious detail. Although the boy sends the dragon away to learn some manners, the next day,
when the boy once again builds a perfect sandcastle, more dragons return. The multimedia illustrations overflow with humorous
details and comical expressions and poses. McWilliam uses saturated colors, shadows, framing and splashes of color to great effect.
True to its circular format, this book is likely to be read over and over again. -Helen Bloch, Oakland PL
From Librarian Tasha Saecker
"...Moore uses the engaging second-person point of view, referring to the reader as “you.” It draws you directly into the story and gives
it a strong and inviting structure as well. The story moves quickly from one moment to the next, which creates a vibrant feel to the story.
It’s a story that speaks to the power of imagination in creating a special time. McWilliam’s art has a cinematic quality to it that
children will immediately respond to. He captures emotions on faces with comedic skill. This is a refreshing style to have in a children’s
book because it closely mimics what they see in films. It’s a friendly and lovely thing to see. A great beach read, this will have
children scrambling to get their castles up and welcoming to dragons."
From Author Eileen Spinelli
WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN has arrived and it is clever and delightful! I just love it. It has such a bright and playful spirit. Like you
[the author] --I've spent many sandy, summery days at the Jersey shore. WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN has stirred my own sweet
memories.The bold, colorful art pairs perfectly with your text. A terrific book! I can't wait to share it with the grandkids.
From Baltimore's Child
When a boy builds the perfect sandcastle, a dragon moves in, and the two have a great time, until someone begins misbehaving. Is it the
dragon? Or does someone have an overactive imagination? Vivid and imaginative illustrations by Howard McWilliam are simply
wonderful.
From School Counselor Barbara Gruener
...a whimsical summer sizzler about the antics of a dragon who moves into the sandcastle of a lucky little lad. While his family busily
goes about their beach business, the boy and his dragon have all sorts of fun roaming around while they roast marshmallows, bust bullies,
brave waves, and fly a kite. Despite his insistence of the dragon's existence, this creative kid cannot convince his family that the dragon is
real. And when mischief starts to happen, the boy decides to send his dragon packing "until he learns some manners." That's my favorite
part because it's the perfect segue into a character chat with my students. What should a dragon's manners look like, sound like, feel like
at the beach? At home? At school? Who will teach him those manners? How will we know that he's learned them? Then will he be back?
The eye-poppingly expressive illustrations by Howard McWilliam bring the text to life in such a magical way that I actually
wanted to believe! After reading this Dragon tale, use the pictures to allow your students to share their favorite sun and sand adventures
using as many sparkle words as they can. Then, fire up their imaginations by encouraging them to mesh fantasy with fact as they script a
summertime story of their own.
From San Francisco Book Review
The Trouble with Dragons: At the beach, everyone is too busy to play, so a boy is left to his own devices. What to do, what to do? Why
build a sandcastle, of course. When you build a great sandcastle with a bucket, shovel, and imagination, the real fun begins. Dragons love
sandcastles, so, naturally, one will want to move right in. Dragons are perfect friends. They can toast your marshmallows, keep you afloat
in the water, and lots of other fun things. But when they eat everything, even Sister's sandwiches; cover the brownies with dragon prints;
and spray Sister with sand, who do you think will be blamed? Grrrrr! There's only one thing to do: banish the dragon and never build a
sandcastle again. At least not today. Every child will relate to this story of a boy who just needs a little attention, but instead is ignored,
which is a certain catalyst for trouble. The author hits a perfect tone, showing great imagination, laugh-out-loud humor, and a real
understanding of the boy's problem. Bright, active illustrations nearly jump off the page, supporting this whimsical romp with humorous
detail. Kids (and grown-ups too) will love When a Dragon Moves In.
From Bookfoolery and Babble
When a little boy spends a day at the beach and builds a beautiful sandcastle, a dragon moves in. The dragon toasts marshmallows, holds
up the little boy's kites, scares bullies away. He roars (like the sound of the ocean), has sharp teeth (like broken shells) and eats a little too
much of the family's food. As you read When a Dragon Moves In, you are clearly shown that the dragon is simply a figment of the little
boy's imagination. His father lounges on the beach and chases away the bullies, mother reads her book and hears the sound of the ocean,
not a roar.
What a beautiful, imaginative, perfect picture book for preschoolers! I love the way the illustrator's cheerful paintings make it plain that the
dragon isn't real and it's okay for youngsters to pretend -- but careful what you try to slip past the rest of the family. Blaming your
misdeeds on an imaginary friend only goes so far!
Highly recommended for little ones and new readers.
From New York Journal of Books and The Crypto Capers blog
When a Dragon Moves In is a story about friendship, the beach, and a creative imagination.... This 32-page picture book is a cute story
about how sometimes our imaginations can run away with us. Though the words and story are simple and charming, the artwork
really makes this book stand out. Howard McWilliam does a phenomenal job depicting each detail, lending humor and expression to
characters children will want to look at again and again. The artwork really enhances the story, making it a book that children will want to
read again and again.
From MyShelf.com
With the story of When a Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore, illustrated by Howard McWilliam, we have a story that reminds one of
those instances where children adopt make-believe friends as companions - except in this case such a friend is a dragon.
There is very little text on each page, but there is much in the large illustrations for children to think and ask questions about. The story has
another twist—the characters do not have names other than mother, father and sister. It doesn't even say boy, but the reader knows the
central character is a boy. In fact, the author suggests that it is the reader who is the center of the story in the first line, “If you build a sand
castle, a dragon will move in.”
The author and illustrator have captured the essence of a child dreaming up a make believe friend. The story has the ring of a
child telling the story even though it was written by an adult who has not completely lost the magic of imagining what it would be like to
have a dragon for a friend—even if for one day. This was a delightful read.
From Brooklyn Family, Bronx Family, Staten Island Family & Queens Family
Families can enjoy a day at the beach without needing to slather on the sunscreen with the new, hardcover book “When a Dragon Moves
In.” This humorous and endearing tale of friendship quickly engages its 4- to 8-year-old target audience — and their parents — from
the moment author Jodi Moore writes, “If you build a perfect sand castle, a dragon will move in.” The comedy ensues when the
imaginative little boy tries to introduce his distracted parents to his new fire-breathing sidekick. The outlandishness of his attention-
grabbing stunts — drawn in vibrant color by Howard McWilliam — increases as his frustration mounts. Moore’s story has a moral for
the parents, too, serving as a reminder to busy moms and dads to take a moment to enjoy their own kids before their childhood
— and magical sidekicks — go out with the tide. -Lisa J. Curtis
From Jen Robinson's Book Page
When a Dragon Moves In is a treasure. Over-the-top fun in eyecatching colors, realistic family togetherness, and a celebration of the
power of imagination. Definitely one to add to the summer reading list.
From The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
A young boy builds a sand castle on the beach and a dragon moves in. The boy and the dragon spend the day at the shore flying a kite,
braving the waves, defying bullies, and roasting marshmallows, while the boy's parents remain occupied nearby with their own pastimes.
When no one believes the boy's story about the dragon, the creature launches into a mischievous mode and wreaks havoc on everything
in its path-- or is it all in the boy's imagination?
From Crib Notes Kelly
"...The cadence of the lines is wonderful, each leading perfectly into the next, but without being too predictable (reminding me of Laura
Numeroff’s If You Give series). The illustrations are amazing and fit perfectly with the story. They depict a joyful beach, a beautiful
sandcastle, and a family thoroughly enjoying their vacation…oh, and one friendly dragon! This is a new favorite of mine. It’s great for
beach, bedtime, and beyond. Pack this one in your beach bag!..."
From MarthaFreeman.com
A day at the beach – specifically the beach at Whipple Dam State Park – inspired Boalsburg mom Jodi Moore to write her first published
picturebook, “When A Dragon Moves In,” illustrated in brilliant summertime hues by Howard McWilliam.
The story, told in second-person, is about a little boy who learns that if you build the perfect sandcastle, a fire-breathing dragon – carrying
a well-traveled suitcase -- will take up residence. Like a rambunctious child, the dragon might eat more than his share of the sandwiches,
blow bubbles in the lemonade, and kick sand on big sister. But overall it’s a real godsend for the parents, who are mostly left in peace
while dragon and hero entertain one another.
“When A Dragon Moves In” follows the arc of a perfect family beach day, including rafting, kite-flying, catch, and a picnic. Realistically,
after all that sun and frolic, the day ends with our hero’s emotional meltdown and the banishment of the dragon. But not to worry. There’s
always tomorrow!
The humor and energy of Moore’s text is amplified by McWilliam’s cartoonish illustrations. For example, our hero credits his dragon with
scaring off beach bullies, not realizing that Dad, one eyebrow raised, is behind him brandishing barbecue tongs.
While the story seems to invite readers to decide for themselves if the dragon is real, the illustrations make it pretty clear that he’s not, at
least not in the traditional sense. In fact the red reptile is a simultaneous avatar both of joyous imagination and pesky, impish id. I, for one,
can’t decide if the co-star’s dual nature makes the story deeper and more complex, or a little confusing.
Likewise, consider the opening line, “If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in,” which is compelling in part because it rings
a bell. Anybody wanna give a mouse a cookie?
Nitpicks aside, “When A Dragon Moves In” is a terrific book to rev up enthusiasm in advance of a beach vacation, or even a day at the
beach. And once having read it, young readers will forever after peek hopefully inside their own sandcastles, just in case a dragon has
moved in.
REVIEWS BY KIDS
From 3 young readers, sons of Kimberly J. Sabatini:
"It's interesting because it's a mix between fairy tale and reality." - the 10-year-old
"I love that the main character is a dragon and oh-oh-oh did you know that Dragon is in the school library now???" - the 8-year-old
"I love that at the end, when he made the big giant sand castle... all the dragons started marching in. That's my favorite." - the almost-6-
year-old
Reviewed by Madison (Age 7) on WhatsGoodToDo.com
My name is Madison and I am 7 years old. I have just read When a dragon moves in book. It's about a boy and his family that go to the
beach for a day out. The boy builds a perfect sandcastle its so good that a dragon moves in. The boy and his dragon have loads of fun on
the beach and then the boy tries to tell his family about the dragon but they don't believe him, but then the dragon got into all sorts of
mischief like spraying sand over the boys sister and eating her peanut butter sandwiches. In the end the boy kicks the dragon out of the
castle and tells him to learn some manners, and says 'he will never build a perfect sandcastle again' but he did the next day. I would like a
dragon to live in my sandcastle because it would be fun, but I wouldn't want him to eat my sandwiches. My little brother even enjoyed this
book and kept going 'RAAR' everytime he saw the dragon.
Featured in Barnes & Noble stores
From Kirkus Reviews
Doesn’t every child want a dragon? Well, "[i]f you build the perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in," and in this funny and creative riff
on cause and effect, that's exactly what happens. At first, things are perfect: You have a friend to play with, a permanent bully deterrent, a
built-in marshmallow toaster and an ever-present raft. But then things start to get complicated. You have to feed the dragon and clean up
after him—and no one will believe you when you explain that the dragon is the one to blame. Was that a dragon-ish cackle coming from
inside the sandcastle? Be careful what you wish for! Colorful, cartoony illustrations brim with humor as they depict this animated boy and
the impish dragon who may or may not entirely exist. The deadpan text is sure to illicit giggles as it captures the conundrum of an
imaginary friend with a child's eye and provides a gentle acceptance of the mild misbehavior that sometimes accompanies imaginative
play. Oh, well. Maybe it's time to get rid of the dragon, as long as you are polite about it. But if you build another perfect sandcastle,
perhaps he'll come back (with friends) tomorrow. A sandy complement to If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
From Publishers Weekly
Fans of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and its sequels should enjoy how debut author Moore, channeling an imaginative boy at the
beach with his family, muses upon the consequences of having a bright red dragon take up lodging in his sand castle. At first it's all fun and
games ("...you'll have a built-in marshmallow toaster"), with a little subterfuge thrown in (since there's no smoking on the beach, "you'll
have to hide his smoke from the lifeguard"). But as the day wears on, the fantasy begins to impinge on others. Ultimately, the cardinal sin
of the beach is committed: throwing sand at one's annoying big sister. "Then you'll march over to your sandcastle and order your dragon
to leave until he learns some manners," says the narrator, who seems firm in his resolution, but who will live to pretend another day.
Although it's not the freshest concept on the shelves, Moore has a light, sure touch, and she gives McWilliam (I Need My Monster)
plenty of room to exercise his considerable gifts for operatic expressiveness and expertly choreographed physical humor.
From Children's Literature
"If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in." So begins the narrative of a castle builder on the beach, and so it happens, at
least in his imagination. He notes all the advantages of having a dragon, like a built-in marshmallow toaster and a protector from bullies.
When he tries to tell his mother, father, and sister about it, however, they don't believe him. Then the dragon starts causing trouble, like
eating all the sandwiches, making bubbles in the lemonade, and nibbling the brownies. His parents blame him and draw the line. He
decides to make the dragon leave, vowing never to make a perfect sand castle again, "At least until tomorrow." The delightfully
humorous fantasy introduces the enthusiastic sand architect and the happy, fire-belching dragon on the jacket. McWilliam uses a pencil
to create the lively duo and the supporting cast and props; color is supplied by digital acrylic. The cartoon-y scenes contrast the usual
activities of the family with the imaginary but plausible behavior of the playful dragon. The beginning end pages show the happy family
arriving at the beach. On the final end pages, a host of eager youngsters are constructing sand castles on the beach, each with a resident
dragon. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
From School Library Journal
While enjoying a day at the beach with his family, a boy builds a perfect sand castle and a dragon promptly moves in toting a well-worn
suitcase. The youngster can’t believe his luck while the rest of the family can’t believe him. Mischief blamed on the dragon eventually gets
the child in trouble, but that doesn’t stop him from building an even better castle the next day. While the text is fun, the story is truly told
through the comical illustrations. The friendly red dragon’s expressions are hilarious whether he is joyfully flying a kite, gobbling
sandwiches, or has his snout wrapped in a towel to smother his smoke. Readers will enjoy pointing out what could be real-life
explanations for everything the boy attributes to it. Certainly “no beach bully would dare stomp your castle with a dragon inside.” (But it
would run from an angry dad, pictured behind the narrator.) From the delighted face of the boy when he finds the dragon, to the
frustration of the parents when the creature has caused too much trouble, the story and pictures show a classic family outing.
This story of a runaway imagination will make for an entertaining storytime as well as an enjoyable one-on-one read.
From Library Media Connection
Recommendation: Highly Recommended
“If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in,” complete with his suitcase. A dragon can be a lot of fun to play with on the
beach, great for toasting marshmallows and serving as your own personal raft. But some people might not believe that you really have a
toothy, feathered, roaring dragon in your sandcastle, or that it was the dragon who ate all the peanut butter sandwiches, left fingerprints in
the brownies, and sprayed your sister with sand. This picture book cleverly toes the line between reality and imagination during a little
boy’s exuberant day at the beach. Digitally painted illustrations show a goofily endearing red dragon and the expressive little boy who is
his soulmate as they revel in each other’s company. Warmly caricatured people, cinematic pacing, and gleaming pages give this a
look that is just short of animation itself. This is a crowd-pleasing merger of sly text and pictures that will tickle many a
funny bone. Reviewed by Jan Aldrich Solow, Librarian, A. Scott Crossfield Elementary School, Herndon, VA
From Bayviews, the review journal of the Association of Children’s Librarians of Northern California
Recommendation: HIGH ADDITIONAL
During a sunny day at the beach, an unnamed boy builds the perfect sandcastle and, as a result, is befriended by an imaginary dragon. As
the day goes on, the boy and the dragon become irritable and start misbehaving, ending up spraying sand all over the boy’s sister. Using a
circular format, the story is told in hilarious detail. Although the boy sends the dragon away to learn some manners, the next day,
when the boy once again builds a perfect sandcastle, more dragons return. The multimedia illustrations overflow with humorous
details and comical expressions and poses. McWilliam uses saturated colors, shadows, framing and splashes of color to great effect.
True to its circular format, this book is likely to be read over and over again. -Helen Bloch, Oakland PL
From Librarian Tasha Saecker
"...Moore uses the engaging second-person point of view, referring to the reader as “you.” It draws you directly into the story and gives
it a strong and inviting structure as well. The story moves quickly from one moment to the next, which creates a vibrant feel to the story.
It’s a story that speaks to the power of imagination in creating a special time. McWilliam’s art has a cinematic quality to it that
children will immediately respond to. He captures emotions on faces with comedic skill. This is a refreshing style to have in a children’s
book because it closely mimics what they see in films. It’s a friendly and lovely thing to see. A great beach read, this will have
children scrambling to get their castles up and welcoming to dragons."
From Author Eileen Spinelli
WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN has arrived and it is clever and delightful! I just love it. It has such a bright and playful spirit. Like you
[the author] --I've spent many sandy, summery days at the Jersey shore. WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN has stirred my own sweet
memories.The bold, colorful art pairs perfectly with your text. A terrific book! I can't wait to share it with the grandkids.
From Baltimore's Child
When a boy builds the perfect sandcastle, a dragon moves in, and the two have a great time, until someone begins misbehaving. Is it the
dragon? Or does someone have an overactive imagination? Vivid and imaginative illustrations by Howard McWilliam are simply
wonderful.
From School Counselor Barbara Gruener
...a whimsical summer sizzler about the antics of a dragon who moves into the sandcastle of a lucky little lad. While his family busily
goes about their beach business, the boy and his dragon have all sorts of fun roaming around while they roast marshmallows, bust bullies,
brave waves, and fly a kite. Despite his insistence of the dragon's existence, this creative kid cannot convince his family that the dragon is
real. And when mischief starts to happen, the boy decides to send his dragon packing "until he learns some manners." That's my favorite
part because it's the perfect segue into a character chat with my students. What should a dragon's manners look like, sound like, feel like
at the beach? At home? At school? Who will teach him those manners? How will we know that he's learned them? Then will he be back?
The eye-poppingly expressive illustrations by Howard McWilliam bring the text to life in such a magical way that I actually
wanted to believe! After reading this Dragon tale, use the pictures to allow your students to share their favorite sun and sand adventures
using as many sparkle words as they can. Then, fire up their imaginations by encouraging them to mesh fantasy with fact as they script a
summertime story of their own.
From San Francisco Book Review
The Trouble with Dragons: At the beach, everyone is too busy to play, so a boy is left to his own devices. What to do, what to do? Why
build a sandcastle, of course. When you build a great sandcastle with a bucket, shovel, and imagination, the real fun begins. Dragons love
sandcastles, so, naturally, one will want to move right in. Dragons are perfect friends. They can toast your marshmallows, keep you afloat
in the water, and lots of other fun things. But when they eat everything, even Sister's sandwiches; cover the brownies with dragon prints;
and spray Sister with sand, who do you think will be blamed? Grrrrr! There's only one thing to do: banish the dragon and never build a
sandcastle again. At least not today. Every child will relate to this story of a boy who just needs a little attention, but instead is ignored,
which is a certain catalyst for trouble. The author hits a perfect tone, showing great imagination, laugh-out-loud humor, and a real
understanding of the boy's problem. Bright, active illustrations nearly jump off the page, supporting this whimsical romp with humorous
detail. Kids (and grown-ups too) will love When a Dragon Moves In.
From Bookfoolery and Babble
When a little boy spends a day at the beach and builds a beautiful sandcastle, a dragon moves in. The dragon toasts marshmallows, holds
up the little boy's kites, scares bullies away. He roars (like the sound of the ocean), has sharp teeth (like broken shells) and eats a little too
much of the family's food. As you read When a Dragon Moves In, you are clearly shown that the dragon is simply a figment of the little
boy's imagination. His father lounges on the beach and chases away the bullies, mother reads her book and hears the sound of the ocean,
not a roar.
What a beautiful, imaginative, perfect picture book for preschoolers! I love the way the illustrator's cheerful paintings make it plain that the
dragon isn't real and it's okay for youngsters to pretend -- but careful what you try to slip past the rest of the family. Blaming your
misdeeds on an imaginary friend only goes so far!
Highly recommended for little ones and new readers.
From New York Journal of Books and The Crypto Capers blog
When a Dragon Moves In is a story about friendship, the beach, and a creative imagination.... This 32-page picture book is a cute story
about how sometimes our imaginations can run away with us. Though the words and story are simple and charming, the artwork
really makes this book stand out. Howard McWilliam does a phenomenal job depicting each detail, lending humor and expression to
characters children will want to look at again and again. The artwork really enhances the story, making it a book that children will want to
read again and again.
From MyShelf.com
With the story of When a Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore, illustrated by Howard McWilliam, we have a story that reminds one of
those instances where children adopt make-believe friends as companions - except in this case such a friend is a dragon.
There is very little text on each page, but there is much in the large illustrations for children to think and ask questions about. The story has
another twist—the characters do not have names other than mother, father and sister. It doesn't even say boy, but the reader knows the
central character is a boy. In fact, the author suggests that it is the reader who is the center of the story in the first line, “If you build a sand
castle, a dragon will move in.”
The author and illustrator have captured the essence of a child dreaming up a make believe friend. The story has the ring of a
child telling the story even though it was written by an adult who has not completely lost the magic of imagining what it would be like to
have a dragon for a friend—even if for one day. This was a delightful read.
From Brooklyn Family, Bronx Family, Staten Island Family & Queens Family
Families can enjoy a day at the beach without needing to slather on the sunscreen with the new, hardcover book “When a Dragon Moves
In.” This humorous and endearing tale of friendship quickly engages its 4- to 8-year-old target audience — and their parents — from
the moment author Jodi Moore writes, “If you build a perfect sand castle, a dragon will move in.” The comedy ensues when the
imaginative little boy tries to introduce his distracted parents to his new fire-breathing sidekick. The outlandishness of his attention-
grabbing stunts — drawn in vibrant color by Howard McWilliam — increases as his frustration mounts. Moore’s story has a moral for
the parents, too, serving as a reminder to busy moms and dads to take a moment to enjoy their own kids before their childhood
— and magical sidekicks — go out with the tide. -Lisa J. Curtis
From Jen Robinson's Book Page
When a Dragon Moves In is a treasure. Over-the-top fun in eyecatching colors, realistic family togetherness, and a celebration of the
power of imagination. Definitely one to add to the summer reading list.
From The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
A young boy builds a sand castle on the beach and a dragon moves in. The boy and the dragon spend the day at the shore flying a kite,
braving the waves, defying bullies, and roasting marshmallows, while the boy's parents remain occupied nearby with their own pastimes.
When no one believes the boy's story about the dragon, the creature launches into a mischievous mode and wreaks havoc on everything
in its path-- or is it all in the boy's imagination?
From Crib Notes Kelly
"...The cadence of the lines is wonderful, each leading perfectly into the next, but without being too predictable (reminding me of Laura
Numeroff’s If You Give series). The illustrations are amazing and fit perfectly with the story. They depict a joyful beach, a beautiful
sandcastle, and a family thoroughly enjoying their vacation…oh, and one friendly dragon! This is a new favorite of mine. It’s great for
beach, bedtime, and beyond. Pack this one in your beach bag!..."
From MarthaFreeman.com
A day at the beach – specifically the beach at Whipple Dam State Park – inspired Boalsburg mom Jodi Moore to write her first published
picturebook, “When A Dragon Moves In,” illustrated in brilliant summertime hues by Howard McWilliam.
The story, told in second-person, is about a little boy who learns that if you build the perfect sandcastle, a fire-breathing dragon – carrying
a well-traveled suitcase -- will take up residence. Like a rambunctious child, the dragon might eat more than his share of the sandwiches,
blow bubbles in the lemonade, and kick sand on big sister. But overall it’s a real godsend for the parents, who are mostly left in peace
while dragon and hero entertain one another.
“When A Dragon Moves In” follows the arc of a perfect family beach day, including rafting, kite-flying, catch, and a picnic. Realistically,
after all that sun and frolic, the day ends with our hero’s emotional meltdown and the banishment of the dragon. But not to worry. There’s
always tomorrow!
The humor and energy of Moore’s text is amplified by McWilliam’s cartoonish illustrations. For example, our hero credits his dragon with
scaring off beach bullies, not realizing that Dad, one eyebrow raised, is behind him brandishing barbecue tongs.
While the story seems to invite readers to decide for themselves if the dragon is real, the illustrations make it pretty clear that he’s not, at
least not in the traditional sense. In fact the red reptile is a simultaneous avatar both of joyous imagination and pesky, impish id. I, for one,
can’t decide if the co-star’s dual nature makes the story deeper and more complex, or a little confusing.
Likewise, consider the opening line, “If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in,” which is compelling in part because it rings
a bell. Anybody wanna give a mouse a cookie?
Nitpicks aside, “When A Dragon Moves In” is a terrific book to rev up enthusiasm in advance of a beach vacation, or even a day at the
beach. And once having read it, young readers will forever after peek hopefully inside their own sandcastles, just in case a dragon has
moved in.
REVIEWS BY KIDS
From 3 young readers, sons of Kimberly J. Sabatini:
"It's interesting because it's a mix between fairy tale and reality." - the 10-year-old
"I love that the main character is a dragon and oh-oh-oh did you know that Dragon is in the school library now???" - the 8-year-old
"I love that at the end, when he made the big giant sand castle... all the dragons started marching in. That's my favorite." - the almost-6-
year-old
Reviewed by Madison (Age 7) on WhatsGoodToDo.com
My name is Madison and I am 7 years old. I have just read When a dragon moves in book. It's about a boy and his family that go to the
beach for a day out. The boy builds a perfect sandcastle its so good that a dragon moves in. The boy and his dragon have loads of fun on
the beach and then the boy tries to tell his family about the dragon but they don't believe him, but then the dragon got into all sorts of
mischief like spraying sand over the boys sister and eating her peanut butter sandwiches. In the end the boy kicks the dragon out of the
castle and tells him to learn some manners, and says 'he will never build a perfect sandcastle again' but he did the next day. I would like a
dragon to live in my sandcastle because it would be fun, but I wouldn't want him to eat my sandwiches. My little brother even enjoyed this
book and kept going 'RAAR' everytime he saw the dragon.
AWARDS & HONORS
Indie Next Kids' Pick, Summer 2011
Indie Next Kids' Pick, Summer 2011
| Watch author Jodi Moore talk about her first picture book on WHVL TV |
The Canadian Open
Sand Sculpting Exhibition
in Parksville, BC, Canada
July 16 – August 14, 2011
Books available at
Mulberry Bush Book Store
The Kids 'N Kastles
Sandcastle Building Event
(part of the US Open
Sandcastle Competition)
Imperial Beach, California
July 23, 2011
Sand Sculpting Exhibition
in Parksville, BC, Canada
July 16 – August 14, 2011
Books available at
Mulberry Bush Book Store
The Kids 'N Kastles
Sandcastle Building Event
(part of the US Open
Sandcastle Competition)
Imperial Beach, California
July 23, 2011
East Hampton Sandcastle
Festival East Hampton,
NY August 6, 2011
Festival East Hampton,
NY August 6, 2011
| DRAGON VISITED SANDCASTLE COMPETITIONS!! When a Dragon Moves In was awarded as part of select 1st prize packages at these sandcastle competitions this summer: |
The Annual Hampton Beach
Children's Festival in
New Hampshire,
August 15-19, 2011.
Children's Festival in
New Hampshire,
August 15-19, 2011.
LOOK! There's our Dragon!!
Now available in German.