In this book, Eddie and his family take in his uncle's dragon while Uncle Morton is on vacation. They lose the instructions and the dragon is unruly and damages things. Eddie continues to try and contact Uncle Morton via email, and after many, many attempts, finally hears back. This book takes the format of emails. Each "chapter" is an email written by either Eddie or Uncle Morton.
This book is a good example of fantasy because there is a mythical creature present in the story. In this story, there is a dragon, and since dragons do not exist, this becomes an element of fantasy. This is the only element that makes the book a fantasy book. Of course, the dragon does things that are typically associated with dragons, but the dragon does not talk, keeping his presence similar to that of an animal. However, since this animal is mythical and does not exist, this book is a fantasy book.
Media: pencil
Age Appropriateness: 2nd-4th

This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.

This is such a cute book! I read it one night when I wasn't tired. Its short size made it perfect for this situation, because I could read the whole thing in one sitting without worrying about staying up all night with a book. I lent it to my middle-school-aged brother, and I think he liked it okay - he didn't really say anything about it, and I think he feels like it's a little too young for him. Even my elementary-school-aged brother thought it was too short, though he also fretted about the fact that it was told in e-mails. I think that disconcerted him.

I hadn't read a little-kid book like this in a very long time, but The Dragonsitter is a lot better than a lot of the rubbish I remember reading when I was younger. It's silly, but in a cute way that still carries a storyline and allows for some real plot. The only real worry I have about the content of the book is toward the beginning: the dragon eats Edward's little sister's rabbit. This rather violent act might completely pass by most people as just another one of the dragon's wild acts, but I could see some of the more tender-hearted kids getting pretty upset over the idea that a cute little bunny got eaten. In fact, I think I was one of those tender-hearted kids. The death of anyone, no matter what species, cut me deeply, to the point where I was literally traumatized by the death of a minor feline character in Lassie Come-Home (some consider that one of the more kid-friendly dog books; I spent years considering it one of the saddest books I'd ever read). My only real concern with The Dragonsitter is that some other poor little kid will be as sensitive as I was, and come away sad. You know the kids in your life better than I do, though - if they're part of the 99% of the kids who won't care about Jemima the rabbit, then I definitely suggest giving The Dragonsitter a try with them. It's a fun little story, and it's even got sequels for the kids who become particularly attached to Edward and the dragon!

Disclaimer: I got a complementary ARC of this book at KidLitCon (in preparation for the hardback release). ( )

Delightful quick read about a young boy Eddie Smith-Pickle who is "dragonsitting" for his Uncle Milton. The story is told entirely through emails. Eddie details all the trials and tribulations he and his family are going through-- burnt curtains, poopy floors, etc Eddie keeps send the emails but doesn't get replies until Morton is due to return home. Seems an need way to reminds kids that pets come responsibilities. I am looking forward to reading more in the serie ( )