A day at the beach – specifically the beach at Whipple Dam State Park – inspired Boalsburg mom Jodi Moore to write her first published picturebook, “When A Dragon Moves In,” illustrated in brilliant summertime hues by Howard McWilliam.
The story, told in second-person, is about a little boy who learns that if you build the perfect sandcastle, a fire-breathing dragon – carrying a well-traveled suitcase -- will take up residence. Like a rambunctious child, the dragon might eat more than his share of the sandwiches, blow bubbles in the lemonade, and kick sand on big sister. But overall it’s a real godsend for the parents, who are mostly left in peace while dragon and hero entertain one another.
“When A Dragon Moves In” follows the arc of a perfect family beach day, including rafting, kite-flying, catch, and a picnic. Realistically, after all that sun and frolic, the day ends with our hero’s emotional meltdown and the banishment of the dragon. But not to worry. There’s always tomorrow!
The humor and energy of Moore’s text is amplified by McWilliam’s cartoonish illustrations. For example, our hero credits his dragon with scaring off beach bullies, not realizing that Dad, one eyebrow raised, is behind him brandishing barbecue tongs.
While the story seems to invite readers to decide for themselves if the dragon is real, the illustrations make it pretty clear that he’s not, at least not in the traditional sense. In fact the red reptile is a simultaneous avatar both of joyous imagination and pesky, impish id. I, for one, can’t decide if the co-star’s dual nature makes the story deeper and more complex, or a little confusing.
Likewise, consider the opening line, “If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in,” which is compelling in part because it rings a bell. Anybody wanna give a mouse a cookie?
Nitpicks aside, “When A Dragon Moves In” is a terrific book to rev up enthusiasm in advance of a beach vacation, or even a day at the beach. And once having read it, young readers will forever after peek hopefully inside their own sandcastles, just in case a dragon has moved in.