Debra Tidball (text), and Rae Tan (illustrator), Lights Out, Little Dragon! Harper Collins Publishers, June 2024, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN ISBN 978146076342
Lights Out, Little Dragon! explores a scenario which may be familiar to many parents – that of a young child who employs a series of distractions to avoid bedtime.
Whilst it feels like the intended audience for this book is pre-schoolers, having read this to a 3-year-old child, it is more likely to be understood and appreciated by slightly older children. They may have a better insight into the dragon’s behaviour and will understand the interactive elements in the narrative. Perhaps an older audience will also notice the child’s dragon suit and will identify the dragon as the personification of the child’s behaviour.
The book invites reader participation with mixed success. Asking the reader to turn the light down then back up, as well as tickling the dragon’s tummy are fun elements. However, some obscure questions are posed which may not make sense to young readers.
Author Debra Tidball may be familiar as her book Anchored is a CBCA 2024 Notable book in both the Early Childhood and Picture Book categories. This is the second book illustrator Rae Tan has completed. Her watercolour and pastel illustrations depict movement and emotion gently, but some elements do not work as well. In particular, the sheep do not look sheepish enough, more closely resembling dogs.
Best suited for 5-8 years old.
Reviewed by Bronwyn Joseph
