Age range 3 to 6
Fearless princess and a whining dragon? What sort of a fairy tale is this? Not a fairy tale at all! A fully illustrated self-care guide for kids.
'Ow! Ow! That hurts!' Just listen to that wailing. A little Dragon from a cave has a toothache -and no idea that a headstrong little Princess is about to take him in hand. Now, now, little Dragon, that's enough of that! Take this toothbrush and toothpaste and our lesson can begin.
The next thing we know, the weeping, messy little Dragon will be a friend for all seasons! Thanks to the Princess, he will learn the right way to wash his hands and brush his teeth, and a little about keeping things clean and tidy. He will eat green vegetables and exchange his boredom for sports.
Would you like to join the Dragon in learning about a healthy lifestyle? You would? Well then let the little Princess show you how it's done.
About the Author :
Veronika Zacharova is a graphic artist, illustrator, and animator from the Czech Republic. She has made several animated films and projects, some of which have won festival awards. She is an author of the visual identity and the jingle for Anifilm, a Czech animation festival.
Review :
Selected for the CBC’s 2022 September Hot Off The Press Reading List
"Healthy As a Dragon! is a discussion about hygiene which gives young picture book readers a lesson in everything from nutrition and taking care of teeth to washing the body and hands, keeping things tidy, and exercising. The dragon's life at the castle just keeps getting better and better as he absorbs the lessons a little Princess imparts, which seem distant from his cold, dirty forest cave. Parents who choose this inviting story as a read-aloud will find the whimsical dragon's discoveries and the little girl's lessons prompt important discussions and revelations about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The result is a different type of hygiene book that goes beyond the usual narrowed focus on exercise, teeth, or body cleansing to consider the full facets of a well-conducted lifestyle." —Midwest Book Review, Children's Bookwatch
"This is such a great book to teach young children about building good habits! I love the cute illustrations! The artwork is really colorful and fun. The design for the Dragon is fantastic, and he is so funny when he gets into trouble for being lazy or untidy. The Princess looks pretty and sweet, but she is also fiercely determined. The art does an excellent job of showing their personalities through their facial expressions." —Luminous Libro
"Children will enjoy joining little Dragon in learning about a healthy lifestyle and having the little Princess show them (and the little Dragon) how it's done! A original and fun picture book for children ages 3-6 by the team of author/storyteller Stepanka Sekaninova and artist Veronika Zacharova, "Healthy As A Dragon" is especially recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections." —Midwest Book Review, Children's Bookwatch
"It actually is a wonderful way to show case what basic self care is to kids in a way that they would understand and like. The illustrations are so cute and the book is a board book so that it can sustain long wear and tear. I really really liked the format and the thinking behind this book. It would make a wonderful holiday present to any young child to understand basic self care." —Our World of Words, IG
