Being Friends with Dragons

Relationships with dragons can be fraught, posits this picture book, in which Locke and Ewen explore all the ins and outs. Able to “toast the perfect marshmallows” and “help scratch your back,” dragons can be ideal buddies—unless they get mad, in which case they resort to fire-breathing and earthquake-producing stomps. If this happens, Locke’s knowing guidebook-like narration acknowledges, “You might sulk and cross your arms!/ You might cry and say mean things!” Fortunately, dragons also know how to make amends, and a series of didactic examples present the multidimensional, fancifully hued creatures managing their emotions, taking turns, and being polite. Ewen’s loose textural graphics feature flatly portrayed children of varying skin tones, and capture chaotic but congenial dragon-human camaraderie with a winking hilarity that suits this mock-serious manual, which offers takeaways for any friendship. Ages 4–8. (Feb.)