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Friday, 24 June 2016

Review: Marmaduke the Very Popular Dragon

We first met the lovable Marmaduke and Princess Meg in Marmaduke the Very Different Dragon. Since then, their friendship has gone from strength to strength. They do everything together and are 'brilliantly, happily different' to all the other dragons and princesses.

Until, one day, a brave princess called October decides she would like to join in the fun and asks to play with them. Word spreads and soon Marmaduke is the most popular dragon in the kingdom. He has so many friends now that he doesn't see Meg as much as he used to, but that's okay. She's happy that he's found his place in the sun, and she knows that they're still best friends. After all, they're competing as a team in the upcoming Whizz Cone Tournament.

Or they were. It seems that the very popular Marmaduke might have forgotten about that and asked Prince Bertie to be his partner in the tournament instead. Oh dear …

Meg is heartbroken. Marmaduke is too busy scoring goals with Prince Bertie to notice. But then, in the midst of all the celebrations, Marmaduke realises someone very important is missing.

This is a gorgeous sequel to the original Marmaduke. Being a good friend isn't always easy and we can all get distracted at times by the temptations of popularity, fame and fortune. A heart-warming look at what it truly means to be the 'best' kind of friend.

Title: Marmaduke the Very Popular Dragon
Author: Rachel Valentine
Illustrator: Ed Eaves
Publisher: Bloomsbury, $14.99 RRP
Publication Date: June 2016
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781408862667
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book