Charlie is a young dragon on a carousel at a Chicago amusement pier. When he discovers one night that he's loose and free to move around, he sets out to explore the pier and to look for fireworks. He longs to be able to make his own fireworks, and he knows dragons are supposed to be scary. He works at it, and he does learn to make fireworks. He also discovers that trying to be scary isn't nearly as much fun as just being himself. Charlie's adventure is sure to delight children and their parents too. There's also a lesson in the groundlessness of many childhood fears.
A former teacher, Kate Noble says, "Children are exposed to so much mindless violence these days that it's important to give them some gentle and satisfying story experiences."
Vivid water-color crayon paintings bring the dragon and the pier to life. Artist Rachel Bass is also an art therapist who works with children.
Kate Noble is the author of THE BLUE ELEPHANT (Zoo Stories), the story of Sassi at the zoo, BUBBLE GUM (Africa Stories), a young baboon's hilarious day in a game park, and OH LOOK, IT'S A NOSSERUS (Africa Stories), a rhino's effort to save his friends from danger.
