What do you do when your new best buddy has been designated a scourge by the community and marked for imminent extermination? Just ask Kenny Rabbit. When the simple folks in the sleepy little village of Roundbrook catch wind that there's a dragon running loose in the countryside, they get the wrong idea and the stage is set for a fight to the death. So it's up to Kenny to give his neighbors front-row seats to one of the best-known battles in history -- the legendary showdown between St. George and the dragon -- without losing a friend in the fray.
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"Kenny and the Dragon is a wonderful book about a sweet, erudite dragon who is befriended by a rabbit and misunderstood by the locals. Its premise is familiar, but the narrative quality makes it closer to a classic. I have no reservations about giving it the full five stars. I read this book to my son when he was four, and hope that he might choose to read it again on his own. We loved this book. Incidentally, DiTerlizzi also wrote the Spiderwick Chronicles, an amazing series for older children."
— Angela (5 out of 5 stars)
“This is a fun story with substance…The author’s reputation will enhance the popularity of this solid fantasy.”
— School Library Journal“ DiTerlizzi’s novel is light-hearted…Readers will understand the author’s message: make friends, not unfair judgments.”
— Publishers Weekly“Alan Cumming’s delivery of this tale set in rural England brings a smile to the listener’s face from the very beginning…Cumming gives the beast a magnificent deep bass voice reminiscent of Sir John Gielgud at his most formal.”
— AudioFile" I have read this book about 5 times. It is my absolute favorite book in the whole world. You would never be able to count all of the funny parts in this fantastic book. Adventure and fantasy mixed into one. Best combination ever! I would very highly recommend this book to any adventurous reader! "
— Erik, 2/19/2014" Beautiful Cover, and my mind and imagination went KAPOW when I read this. Lovely, but now a bit young for me. "
— Candycloud, 2/16/2014" The book I read was Super Fudge and the Author of this book is Judy Blume. If you like funny stories then you will like this book. Let me tell you about this "
— Eagle, 1/30/2014" It was ok, nothing crazy. "
— mitzi, 1/18/2014" Excellent book for kids about what friendship means and how hard it is to be a good friend. Easy to read and follow with some unique vocabulary choices like, emblazoned and bestiary, for the kids to ask what the meaning is. Definitely a must read. "
— Clinton, 1/7/2014" I loved the literary allusions in this book, but 98% of them will go right over the heads of the intended audience. Young readers will enjoy this nonetheless, and they will root for Kenny and his huge dragon friend. Perhaps some of them will even go on to read Grahame's The Reluctant Dragon. It is devoutly to be wished. "
— Terri, 1/1/2014" the dragons name was grame "
— Emmye, 12/11/2013" Read this to my wife recently, and it just goes to show that DiTerlizzi doesn't need Holly Black. The art is wonderful and the story, albeit an often used storyline, still entertained. "
— Chris, 9/30/2013" 2011-2012 Intermediate Golden Sower. Charming story of a young bunny who befriends a dragon and the plan they devise to save the dragon from the dragon slayer "
— Kay, 9/22/2013" I thought this was a fun book for kids. Very simple but it talks about not judging people before you get to know them. I loved the characters. "
— Jaclyn, 9/12/2013" This is a sweet little book about judging, friendship and bravery. This is a good read-a-loud book. I really liked Kenny and the Dragon. "
— Dianestay, 9/9/2013" Quick, cute read. Kids who like dragons will enjoy this book. Though, if you are a Spiderwick fan, even though it's by one of the authors of that series, there's really not that much similarity. "
— Beverly, 9/5/2013" Sweet read about a rabbit, Kenny, and his friend he finds in the Dragon, Grahame. Truly enjoyed this read. Didn't hurt that it was poolside. (and my last of the Bluestem nominees) "
— katsok, 8/10/2013" Adorable artwork, adorable characters, and some cute whimsical touches made this a quick but enjoyable read. Love DiTerlizzi's attention to detail. "
— Angie, 2/25/2013" Fun to read and fun to read aloud. I read this book to my five year old who (quite unusually) sat still for 30 minutes at a time to listen. I then read this to my class of fourth graders, who begged me to read more each day. Nice vocabulary as an added bonus. "
— Melissa, 10/24/2012" This book is about a rabbit named kenny who one day hears about a dragon that lives on a mountain and decides to go meet him and figures out some dragons can be nice. Read th rest of the book to see what happens "
— Ms., 7/19/2012" I got this thinking it would be fun to read to my son. He seemed to like it for the most part. "
— Katieb, 6/23/2012" A well-written, good story. It would make a better read-aloud than an independent reading book for younger kids as there are lots of references (Beowulf) and vocabulary that with explanation would enrich the book. "
— Theresa, 4/17/2012" A delightful story with really splendid illustrations on the perils of taking the world at face value. "
— Jennybeast, 3/17/2012" This book was a wonderful mix of fantasy and adventure. About a little boy rabbit who becomes allies with a dragon. "
— Abigail, 3/6/2012" Forget the story just look at the pictures. Even though the story is cute the pictures are what make this book. "
— Jennifer, 1/31/2012" I read this to my 4 year old and he enjoyed every minute of it! "
— Chelsea, 8/18/2011" I am becoming a fan of Tony DiTerlizzi. I like short stories and he puts together really good ones. I like the different types of characters that he puts together. Can't wait to read another of his books. "
— Amanda, 6/15/2011" Golden Sower nominee... a true story of friendship. Maybe after reading this story to my class there will be someone who wants to learn to play chess! "
— Pbaker, 5/23/2011" Wonderful illustrations and a plucky young hero, and most especially a very charming dragon make this book a delight for young and old alike. A refreshing diversion! "
— Nancy, 5/16/2011" Go roundbrook and for once the king looks nice (now how all the books and moves the king either looks bad or is bad) the mane charter is great the sides are awsome the book was just plain great. "
— Jonah, 4/14/2011" Fun sweet story that was great to listen to as Alan Cummings did a fantastic job on the narration. Sweet story about a 'bookish' rabbit who befriends a dragon and has to protect him from the town. Loved the references to other works of literature - very clever! "
— Paige, 4/7/2011" Story of a genteel dragon and how he is saved by his rabbit friend from the fearful villagers. "
— Victoria, 3/27/2011" Very predictable, since I grew up knowing the story of "The Reluctant Dragon." Pictures were cute. "
— Michelle, 3/25/2011" Kenny is a funny, out of place kind of rabbit in his town, spending more time with his nose in a book than out. When a dragon moves in onto his fathers fields, he doesn't realize that this terrifying dragon, (named Grahame) will soon be his bestest friend. :) "
— Chloe, 3/24/2011" Read for the 2nd/3rd grade book club. "
— Alicia, 3/16/2011" What a wonderful story of friendship between two unlikely friends! DiTerlizzi's illustrations add so much to the story. Quick read for an adult, appropriately challenging read for a young reader. Nicely paced and thoroughly enchanting. "
— Mangycat, 2/17/2011" I read this to my 4 year old and he enjoyed every minute of it! "
— Chelsea, 2/7/2011" This was a really cute book, and I loved the illustrations. "
— Kristy, 1/28/2011" I've read this book so many times I love it. "
— Angelgirl, 1/17/2011" Not as creative as the spiderwick chronicles. It was a quick read and I was entertained. I was in it til the end to find out how Kenny was going to save his friends. "
— Jeri, 1/15/2011" I am becoming a fan of Tony DiTerlizzi. I like short stories and he puts together really good ones. I like the different types of characters that he puts together. Can't wait to read another of his books. "
— Amanda, 1/14/2011Tony DiTerlizzi is the author of The Search for WondLa and A Hero for WondLa. He is also the cocreator and illustrator of the bestselling Spiderwick Chronicles, as well as the Zena Sutherland Award–winning Ted. His cinematicd version of Mary Howitt’s classic The Spider and the Fly earned him another Zena Sutherland Award and a Caldecott Honor. DiTerlizzi’s art has also appeared on the covers of books by well-known fantasy authors like Peter S. Beagle, J. R. R. Tolkien, Anne McCaffrey, and Greg Bear. His first chapter book, Kenny & the Dragon, debuted as a New York Times bestseller. Currently, he divides his time between Massachusetts and Jupiter, Florida.
Alan Cumming is an award-winning actor, singer, writer, producer, and director. He recently starred in an acclaimed one-man staging of Macbeth on Broadway and appears on the Emmy Award–winning television show The Good Wife. Cumming won a Tony Award for his portrayal of the Emcee in the Broadway musical Cabaret. He is the winner of the 2015 Audie Award for Best Autobiography/Memoir narration and Best Narration by the Author Award as well as six Audiofile Earphones Awards. He hosts PBS Masterpiece Mystery and has appeared in numerous films, including Spy Kids, Titus, X2: X-Men United, The Anniversary Party, Any Day Now, and Eyes Wide Shut.