Rosie and Rasmus

Geddes (the Lulu Bell series) pays tribute to friendship in this tale of a lonely girl and a friendly young dragon. Pink-cheeked Rosie is a wallflower who wishes other kids would notice her; Rasmus is a wingless dragon who wishes he could fly. When Rosie appears atop the hill where Rasmus resides, he offers her a flower and the pair become fast friends. The girl teaches the dragon everything she knows (how to execute a pirouette and drink tea like a queen), and the dragon shares his own favorite things, all of which involve taking to the skies. Rosie encourages (“One day you’ll fly. I know it!”) and promptly begins strategizing. Early efforts flop, but after receiving a gift from Rosie, Rasmus finally sprouts tiny wings that take him airborne. In a poignant scene, both friends shed tears upon the realization that it’s time for Rasmus to fly away. Rosie is alone once again—until she finds the courage to initiate friendship with someone new (by sharing a flower, of course). Geddes’s soft watercolor palette heightens the quiet sweetness of this story about two characters learning to venture forth. Ages 4–8. [em]Agent: Jill Corcoran, Jill Corcoran Literary Agency. (Apr.) [/em]