The Dragon at the Zoo by Melanie Koster

Cedric is a dragon like no other. He lives at the zoo, adores children, and is quite possibly the most spectacular dragon Tig has ever known. But when the real reptiles insist he is not a true dragon, Cedric begins to doubt himself. 

With Tig on his back, he soars far away to find somewhere he belongs, leaving the zoo in chaos. It will take a murmuration of birds, a zoo full of worried animals, and a very big apology to bring their beloved dragon home again. 

At first glance, this book will give readers of all ages a nostalgic hit - the dragon that graces the cover is quite clearly the beloved dragon that lurks at Auckland Zoo. It has bewitched generations, and it is lovely to see a story about this magical beast.

Author Melanie Koster creates a warm and magical story of imagination and belonging. There's rich language galore, from similes to metaphors, adjectives to alliteration. Koster also includes some lovely unknown words: discombobulated, murmuration, and flanked, to name a few. These language features make it a wonderful book to read aloud.

Illustrator Craig Phillips' artwork is spot on; he has perfectly captured the beloved dragon. Little hints of the setting appear throughout the book, adding to the fun. His characters are expressive and full of movement - Cedric's facial expressions as the other reptiles make fun of him is heartbreaking, while the eastern water dragon's folded arms are brilliant.

There's a great message in the book, too, making it a nice way to spark deep, important conversations about bullying, belonging and difference. This will be a fantastic resource to add to any school or kindergarten library.

The Dragon at the Zoo is a lovely book with a strong message that will delight generations, just like its inspiration. 

Reviewer: Rebekah Lyell

Scholastic