Based on Kenneth Grahame’s 1898 tale of “The Reluctant Dragon,” this story takes place in a world populated by anthropomorphic animals, in a small town with some medieval touches. Kenny is a young rabbit, and other characters are badgers, and squirrels, and so forth, and here there is royalty and pageantry and minstrels. The setting actually reminds me quite a bit of the animated 1973 Disney version of Robin Hood (starring Robin and Maid Marian as foxes, along with a bear, a rooster, lions, and other creatures). 

Anyway, Kenny bravely befriends the dragon and learns that Grahame’s not fierce or dangerous at all, and that in fact, he enjoys music, poetry, chess, and crème brûlée. All goes swimmingly until the townspeople learn of the dragon’s arrival in their vicinity, and vow to destroy the dreadful beast, ultimately putting Kenny’s other good friend, George (a retired knight and current bookstore proprietor), up against Grahame in a battle.  

Can Kenny keep both of his friends from harm and stop this madness? Well, of course he can (it’s a children’s book after all), and so he does, and quite cleverly. 

There are some nice literary touches here; the references to Beowulf and Shakespeare will go over the heads of young readers, but I appreciate them. And I particularly like that the two protagonists are named in a tribute to the original author, while George is a reference to the saint and dragon-slayer. The illustrations (also by DiTerlizzi) are charming. Best of all, though, is the lesson in friendship and the reminder not to judge by appearance or reputation, something that certainly can benefit readers of all ages. 

NOVEL: Kenny & the Dragon

AUTHOR: Tony DiTerlizzi

YEAR OF PUBLICATION: 2008

IMAGE: Book cover, Simon & Schuster