Saturday, June 5, 2010

Book Review for Donner the Western Dragon by Suzanne Davis Marion

Donner the Western Dragon by Suzanne Davis Marion

BookSurge Publishing (November 27, 2009)
Donner the Western Dragon is a wonderful story of a hero’s tale that expresses the importance of patience and humility.

Donner is a dragon that lives in the forest along with his family and other dragon families. His best friend is a unicorn named Una. Both creatures were playful and relaxed, never looking for a fight but just enjoying the beauty of nature. Though other dragons found this behavior strange, because they would blow fire showing off for each other, Donner was happy and content. He knew he could blow fire hotter and farther than any of the other dragon’s, but felt no reason to prove it.

However, Donner’s father, Ragnar, spoke with him about his behavior, wanting him to be more like the other dragons. Though Donner tried, wanting to please his father, he soon resorted back to his relaxed and playful ways, feeling that blowing fire for no reason was wasteful. He really found no purpose in it, especially when he saw how long the younger dragons took to regain their fire after they had spent it. Donner’s preservation of his gift was soon going to be tested. Trouble came to the younger dragons with swift wings. They found themselves in terrible trouble when they were playing in a cave and the exit was blocked with ice, rock and snow. Having wasted their fire in play, the young dragons could not save themselves. So who was to come to their rescue? The only dragon that had enough fire to do the job—Donner.

This story combines a lot of elements that children can relate to. In school, there are children who show off their talents to impress their friends, but it takes one moment for someone to shine like the sun, and it is usually someone that no one ever expected. Though Donner knew he was the best at doing something, he felt no need to show off. He was secure in his beliefs and was comfortable with who he was, not letting anyone change him into being something that he wasn’t. After Donner saved the younger dragons, he didn’t boast or brag, but merely returned to relax in the sun with a happiness filling his heart. Many lessons can be learned from this story. This paperback picture book is great for children between the ages of 9-12.

Reviewer Renee Hand is the award-winning author of The Crypto-Capers series. Look for her new release The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill, The Great Pie Catastrophe.

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