A Dragon Used to Live Here, written and illustrated by Annette LeBlanc Cate (April 12, 2022, Candlewick) is an entertaining story within a story that I think would make a lovely read aloud for older elementary kids and the younger end of middle grade (7-10 year olds). Older kids, on their way to teen cynicism, might have to wait till they are grown-ups before they can enjoy it....
Thomas and Emily live in their parents castle, learning castle-y things, like archery, tapestry weaving, and courtly manners. They are also skilled at writing and illustrating, and this comes in useful when they come across the den of the castle scribes while exploring a bit of the castle they'd never gotten around to before. The scribes, under the authority of a somewhat cranky woman called Meg (is she a witch? the children wonder), are happy to let the kids help with the heavy workload of party invitations. And while they work, Meg starts telling the story of how the kids' parents met.
It's a story of a fierce dragon, who used to live in the castle, and knights of varying degrees of bravery, and elves; their mother was the dragon's captive, and their father helps with her rescue (she also helps herself). As Meg's story unfolds (and is she telling the truth?), the kids stop thinking of her as possible witch, and more as a friend, and hearing how Meg and their mother used to be best friends before a terrible falling out makes them want to bring the two of them back together.
There's a somewhat refreshing? jarring? unexpected? amusing? mix of modernity with the medieval. Yes it's castle life without modern technology, but there's a real world sensibility to it. It ended up working for the story, but don't go into it expecting high fantasy. And the dragon may or may not have been real; readers will have to decide for themselves!
The writing is snappy and on point, carrying things briskly along. Thomas and Emily don't just sit passively listening and scribing, but make plans, squabble, and do a bit of (mild) adventuring to try to move Meg and their mother back to friendship. But Meg is definitely the star of the story. She's a great character and a great storyteller, and I loved the den of scribes who are entertaining in their own right. They are really good with paper and ink and sharp knives too--I loved their creativity! And throughout the book there are many funny details and bits of dialogue that readers of all ages (but especially the target audience) will appreciate. Generous illustrations, also often amusing, add to the entertainment.
Story within story isn't my favorite framework, but when done well, as I think it is here, because I liked it, it is good entertainment! For what it's worth, me and the Kirkus review are on the same page here--"Clever, multistranded, and off the charts in read-aloud potential."
but was the dragon real????? (and will Thomas continue to let himself enjoy drawing flowers...I hope so!)
disclaimer: review copy received from the publisher
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