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Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Pup and Dragon: How to Catch a Dinosaur and How to Catch a Unicorn by Alice Walstead, illustrated by Paul Gill

 

Pup and Dragon:  How to Catch a Dinosaur by Alice Walstead, illustrated by Paul Gill
Format:  Hardcover
Publisher:  Sourcebooks Wonderland
Number of pages:   64 pages
Published:   April 2nd, 2024
Source:  Publisher

Pup and Dragon is created by the author of the popular "How to Catch" picture book series, a New York Times and USA Today bestseller, featuring titles like "How to Catch a Witch", "How to Catch Santa Claus" and even "How to Catch a Daddysaurus."  This latest graphic novel series by Walstead features best friends Pup and Dragon, who embark on an adventure to try and help their human friends in winning the first-place prize at the science fair by catching a dinosaur.  Pup has numerous ideas on how to catch the dinosaur, yet most of his attempts end in comical failures.  Dragon, on the other hand, is the patient observer while Pup tests out each of his new plans, offering guidance toward better solutions.  Ultimately, they both realize that finding a dinosaur is a formidable task and devising a well-thought-out plan with the appropriate supplies is the best solution for success.  


Pup and Dragon:  How to Catch a Unicorn by Alice Walstead, illustrated by Paul Gill
Format:  Hardcover
Publisher:  Sourcebooks Wonderland
Number of pages:   64 pages
Publishing:   May 7th, 2024
Source:  Publisher

In their latest adventure, Pup and Dragon accompany their human friends on a trip to the zoo.  After spotting a rainbow, they suspect a Unicorn is nearby and decide to lend a hand in catching it.  Once again Pup is full of ideas on how to catch the Unicorn, yet each attempt inadvertently disrupts their young friends plans.  Even the zoo animals appear to be hampering their efforts.  What can they do to successful capture the Unicorn?


My Overall Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading these two Pup and Dragon books.  Each story demonstrates that perseverance is key, even when plans don't go as you'd expect.  It also illustrates that forgiveness is important when we make mistakes and that errors can occur, but true friendship is more important.  

The books feature vibrant, eye-catching illustrations that are fun, silly and range from one to six panels per page.  The illustration of Pup confusing a rope with a snake and trying to lasso the unicorn was quite comical.  I also liked the subtle appearance of the dinosaur and unicorn on the periphery of some of the pages trying to evade capture, very similar to what you see on the cover.   These books are ideal for kids transitioning from picture books to more text-heavy reads or chapter books, or someone looking for a humorous graphic novel. 

Future books in the series include Pup and Dragon: How to Catch an Easter Bunny (2/11/25), Pup and Dragon: How to Catch a Mermaid (4/8/25), and Pup and Dragon: How to Catch a Monster (8/12/25).

 

**Thank you to Sourcebooks Wonderland for the hardcover copies in exchange for an honest review**



    

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