The Dinosaur & Dragon Juice Café by James Anthony Crabb
WHAT THE CHILDREN SAY
“The Dinosaur & Dragon Juice Café” An odd title for a book, but explains itself as the story unfolds.
A pleasant exciting little story, which seems to delight and baffle our young ones with its sad, or is it sad, ending?
How can it be sad when bouncy broccoli, mucky mango and big bag of potatoes are delighted at the outcome!
My young grandson and his friends have read a preview of the book, and like all seven year olds were quick to pass judgement.
Overall they gave a good thumbs up approval, and are eagerly waiting the arrival of the finished book to emerge.
Whilst previewing the story, their comments were really comical and delightful. For example…they knew potatoes have eyes, but they don’t open and close do they silly. And (between fits of giggles) broccoli can’t run either, what’s a mango? and Grandad where is The Dinosaur and Dragon Juice Café? Such innocence.
Have you ever had comical or interesting comments from your young readers?
I would like to hear from you if you have.
The aim of the story is not only to give youngsters pleasure, but also to try and introduce them to eating healthy food in a nice way.
My opinion is, the story does both in an excellent way. If you have a child or grand-child who is not too keen on vegetable, or milk, buy the book and you’ll be surprised how things can change!
James A. Crabb
September 25th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
It’s a good idea to try and get children to eat more vegetables through storybooks; in France there is a celebrity singer who has recently launched a range of books with veg characters. But the drawings are not as authentic as your illustrations as the characters are all 3D. Food awareness has to be a good thing, it’s sad that when you ask a small child to draw a fish and they draw a small rectangle!
September 25th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Hi Leslie, Thanks for your reply about healthy eating education through storybooks. I did try to make my food characters as human as possible, copying some of the antics they get up to, hopefully creating a parallel between fantasy and reality. My belief is, if children see themselves in a possible similar situation, like using a skateboard or a pobo stick, etc.. they are more likely to absorb the message that is being aimed in their direction!