Dragon Was Terrible - Hardcover

Kelly DiPucchio is the author of several children's books, including Everyone Loves Bacon, Gaston, and Zombie in Love. She lives in southeastern Michigan.

Greg Pizzoli is an author, illustrator, and screen printer from Philadelphia. He is the author and illustrator of The Watermelon Seed.

In naive, flattened cartoons, Pizzoli mixes modern and medieval with aplomb as Dragon TP’s a castle and spray paints “Dragon was here” on a wall underneath a posted notice from the king promising a reward to whomever stops Dragon. These pictures, combined with DiPucchio’s clearly disapproving narrator make Dragon’s transgressions all the funnier. ―PW

In this comical tale, one kingdom is fed up with its disobedient dragon. This book may seem like your classic “bad dragon gone terrible” tale, complete with a king, a castle, and knights, but the text and illustrations work together to offer readers a different story―one that is modern and timeless. Perhaps the book’s most remarkable feat is its ability to gently and humorously suggest alternative, peaceable methods for dealing with negative emotions and destructive behavior while also reminding readers of the cathartic power of a good story. This is one terribly good dragon tale that will leave readers laughing and with an appreciation for the healing power of a good book. ―Kirkus starred review

Funny details abound in Pizzoli’s cartoon illustrations...The witty, conversational-style narration interjects timely comments. VERDICT In this laugh-out-loud picture book, the powers of storytelling triumphantly tame the beast.
―SLJ