This story is about Ellie who has the best pet ever – a dragon called Scratch.
What child would not like to find a newly hatched dragon in a supermarket? She did what any other kid would do - hid him in her room and let him live in her doll’s house. Ellie takes good care of her precious pet, feeding him and training him to use a littler box.
The best thing was that adults were oblivious to him.
She takes him to nursery school and for walks around the neighbourhood, and all the children share in the delight of this magnificent friend.
This book touches on the same themes as Puff, the Magic Dragon, that growing up is an exciting adventure – but it ultimately comes at the cost of the joy and wonder of childhood. Scratch grows up too, becoming too big for the doll’s house at about the time that Ellie’s interest in the doll’s house has diminished. Every day he fades from teenaged Ellie’s consciousness, becoming less visible to her until one day, she no longer sees or hears him, signalling that she has now joined the ranks of those oblivious adults.
And Scratch has to move on to the next child.
The illustrations are brimming with lovely detail, particularly the awe and wonder in the small children's faces as the adults are immersed in their own mundane existences.
Growing up! Who needs it?
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Title: Ellie’s Dragon
Author: Bob Graham
Illustrator: Bob Graham
Publisher: Walker Books, $27.99
Publication Date: 1 July 2020
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781406387629
For ages: 3 +
Type: Picture Book
