Dragon Tales - Book Review

Dragon Tales by Mary C. Fairbanks is truly and entertaining book, chock full of twenty-four dragon stories. Perfect for youth from the age of five to fifteen, even adults would be charmed by its pages. The images are unique and interesting, with a style that left me with the impression they were created on a computer.

Caregivers are likely to find the morals to each story helpful to deal with youth problems with social interaction, self-image, overcoming self-absorption, understanding others and more. The author tackles many issues through her lovable, yet egotistical dragons or even through sad and lonely dragons. She shows the importance of freedom and dictates communities working together to solve problems peacefully. The confusion between the way that dragons and humans view each other in this book will aid against racism. Her characters learn to not passively accept what everyone else believes and live by another’s prejudices. Instead, Mary has the characters find out for themselves what is the truth. Often, the young characters have to ‘think’ their way out of a situation or learn to ask the right questions - rather than fighting it or running away from problems.

I would recommend this fictional, children’s book of short stories to anyone, anytime, anywhere. I feel the book is perfect for read-aloud situations and bed time reading as well.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the book (ISBN#: 1554102545) or the author (Marie C. Fairbanks) can easily do so with an Internet search on the publisher, Zumaya Otherworlds. Alternatively readers can order the book in from most online bookstores or through their local retail bookstore. The local library may also be willing to bring in this book for them.