One dragon's dream by Peter Pavey
Walker Books, 2009 (c1978) ISBN 9781921150746
(All ages) Highly recommended. It is wonderful that this fabulous
Picture Book of the Year has been reprinted. It is such a treat: a
counting book with intricate pictures that just beg to be examined
again and again. It revolves around the dreams of a dragon who sleeps
in a beautifully carved bed and has a tabby cat in attendance. His
bedroom is full of wonderful objects: a suit of armour holding a broom
for a lance, a bird's cage with a clock in it and a rocking horse with
a mouse sitting on it; plus many other amazing details. As the counting
progresses, the reader must find the correct number of objects that the
story refers to. For example it is a lot of fun to find the 4th elusive
frog in the picture for 4, or the six stern storks for 6. The counting
story and the pictures that illustrate it are complex and really
stimulate the imagination.
This would be wonderful present for grandchildren, a fascinating book
for primary schools and an outstanding example of a picture book for
secondary schools.
Pat Pledger