Donita K. Paul is the author of the popular Dragon Keeper series and a former schoolteacher. Her daughter, Evangeline Denmark, is a mom who likes to turn bedtime stories into picture books. The two have teamed to write a series of picture books for children featuring Padraig the dragon and his best friend, Roger the turtle. The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari is the newest book in the series.
Plot of The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari
When the story opens, Padraig and Roger are spending the night at the base of Mount Sillymanborrow. They are on safari and are enjoying eating roasted marshmallows and baked bugs while discussing the adventure they will have in the morning.
While getting ready for bed the pair hears a noise in the treetop. Padraig says to be brave because it is only a howler monkey or giraffe. The pair decide if they spend the night they can awaken and see both of these animals and all the other unique animals that live on Mount Sillymanborrow. Roger says they will hunt for fierce and fantastic beasts but Padraig is not so sure that is a good idea.
Padraig and Roger decide to get ready to sleep after they do a safari dance around their fire. While dancing they hear a loud thud that they decide must be an elephant. Because elephants travel in herds they decide it would be safest to get into their tent.
Roger offers to tell Padraig the fantastical legend of Mount Sillymanborrow to help him relax. Padraig says to wait until morning when the tale will be better told. As they are settling in for the night, they again hear a noise. Roger asks Professor Padraig what the noise could be (he calls Padraig professor because he know so much). Padraig guesses it is the rare Sumatran rhinoceros. They throw some food out of the tent to keep the rhinoceros away.
Padraig begins to feel ill so they choose to lay down and rest. They hear a loud Meow which Padraig says is a baby leopard. The boys decide the baby leopard needs help but its mother is not nearby. Padraig discovers he can blow fire and the pair help the kitten/leopard out of the tree.
Illustrations of The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari
Vincent Nguyen is the illustrator of a number of children's books. He also works in the art departments for 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios. He is also the illustrator of the first book in the series, The Dragon and the Turtle .
Nguyen's illustrations add to the telling of the story. When Padraig and Roger hear the sounds and make guesses what wild animal is making the sounds, Nguyen's illustrations show the actual sound maker slowly morphed into what the boys are imagining. His illustrations can be used by pre-readers to tell the story after they have listened the first time. Nguyen uses shading to effectively set the mood of the story.
Extras in The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari
The bonus story, The Legend of Mount Sillymanbarrow, is included at the end of the book. This is the story Roger would have told had Padraig not gotten scared. This fun story tells of a man who wants to have waffles for breakfast. Over the course of his preparation he realizes he is missing some ingredients and travels the long distance several times to borrow things to cook breakfast. In the end a surprise twist is revealed when the neighbor he has been borrowing things from comes for breakfast.
The book is written around the Bible verse Deuteronomy 31:6. The verse reads "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid....God goes with you; he will never leave you." The story demonstrates this truth by showing how Padraig and Roger are brave even in the face of the unknown. They also show concern for each other. The book includes questions to help adults discuss with children times when it is important to be brave or encouraging to others.
The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari is an excellent addition to the children's Christian picture book genre. It's gentle message of courage and encouragement will delight readers of all ages.
The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari by Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark,
illustrated by Vincent Nguyen
Waterbrook Press, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-307-44645-9
Kelley Huston - A reader of all kinds of books, Kelley is an teacher who loves crafts and scrapbooking. She is a Disney fan who loves all things Disney.
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