Book Review: Dragon Slippers

Dragon Slippers


by


Jessica Day George

published: March 20th 2007 by Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
details: Hardcover, 321 pages
literary awards: Whitney Award for Best Novel by New Author (2007), Whiting Writers Award
isbn: 1599900572 (isbn13: 9781599900575)

About the Book
(Good Reads)

Creel, the heroine of Dragon Slippers is hardly a damsel-in-distress. After her aunt totes her out to the local dragon in desperation (with the hope that the local prince will rescue her from certain death and marry her), Creel refuses the haughty prince and finds friendship with the dragons, who set her on a journey to the center of the kingdom with a pretty pair of what only seem to be ordinary slippers. Along the way we discover Creel's enormous talent at embroidery, and you can't help but linger over the rich descriptions of her lovely tapestry-like gowns, which quickly make her the most sought-after dressmaker in the kingdom. But soon enough those mysterious slippers begin to wreak havoc, and it's up to Creel to save the kingdom from disaster and defend the dragons from certain doom. Creel's feisty spirit breathes fiery new life into this epic world at every turn, making this one of the most memorable and fun fantasy debuts to hit shelves.

About the Author
(Good Reads)

Jessica Day George likes chocolate, knitting, books, travel, movies, dragons, horses, dogs, and her family. These are all things to keep in mind if you ever meet her. For instance, you could bring her chocolate to make the meeting go more smoothly. You could also talk about how adorable her children are, even if you have never seen them. You could discuss dog breeds (she has a Maltese named Pippin, and grew up with a poodle mix and a Brittany Spaniel). You could talk about Norway, and how it's the Greatest Place On Earth, and Germany, The Second Greatest Place On Earth. You could ask her about yarn, and indicate a willingness to learn to knit your own socks, if you can't already do so.

My thoughts:

My daughter read this fun little story to her girls and recommended it to me.  Dragon Slippers is a delightful fantasy tale that paints dragons as friendly and amiable beings.  Each Dragon that the protagonist Creel meets as she journey's from her home in the country to the kings seat has a unique talent and personality.  I enjoyed the images created by the author of these magnificent, sentient beings as Creel becomes acquainted with each of them.  The end of the book was especially endearing as Creel calls upon the friendships she has made with each of her dragon acquaintances.  I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever dreamed of speaking to a dragon--I have been in love with the thought of having a dragon of my own ever since I first read Anne McAffery's Dragon Singer. 

Challenge #5  asks us to go to random.org, using 1 as the minimum and 5 as the maximum generate a number (I got a 2) and then read a book with that many words in the title.

Book #7