Luma and the Pet Dragon

I absolutely LOVED this book! Luma is expecting a puppy for her birthday, but when she arrives at the kennels, the puppies are no longer available. She feels so sad, but whilst playing in her Nani's garden, she just happens to find a stray puppy – but it's no ordinary puppy. It can talk and it also changes into a dragon! Well as you can probably imagine Luma and her new puppy Timir have lots of fun times together but Timir can be mischievous and naughty!

Nani also gives her a magic bracelet which responds to Timir. It turns out that Nani knows a lot about puppies that turn into dragons! The pictures throughout are just as lovely as the story. Every character is likeable and real. I really like the section at the end which gives you top tips for looking after a pet. Luma and the Pet Dragon was so funny and found myself laughing out loud throughout the book. I am really hoping that this will become a series so we can have more adventures with Luma and Timir.

192 Pages / Reviewed by Catherine Kus

Suggested Reading Age 7+

I really enjoyed this story. Aimed at young children aged 6+, Luma and the Pet Dragon follows what happens when Luma - who had been hoping for a dog for her seventh birthday - instead discovers a young dragon in her garden!  Only Luma and her Nani know Timir is a dragon; to everyone else, Timir looks like a dog. But now that she needs to care for it, Luma discovers how much work a young pet - and especially a pet dragon - can be. 

This is a wonderful story for young children - who doesn't love the idea of a pet dragon?! - and the hapless dragon Timir soon wins our hearts through its antics, supported by the lovely drawings by Loretta Schauer.  The story also develops the strong relationship between Luma and her mum, and Luma's Nani, giving a positive depiction of this non-traditional family, as well as supporting a diverse cast of characters.

I can't wait to see what Timir, and Luma, get up to next and I will be recommending Luma and the Pet Dragon to several young readers I know.

192 pages / Reviewed by Elen Green

Suggested Reading Age 5+

Luma and the Pet Dragon is a nice chapter book for young readers. Every child is excited for their 7th birthday! Luma is no different, however when she meets Timir (her talking dragon), it soon becomes obvious that it might be her best birthday yet! As the story continues, Luma tries to hide his true identity by pretending that he is a pet dog. Eventually, her grandma reveals her dragon taming skills and lends a hand with her new pet...

This book has 15 chapters which are broken up well by interesting illustrations. The front cover is colourful and appealing with the main characters depicted nicely. I think young children will enjoy the adventures that Luma gets up to with her new pet - which child doesn't enjoy an adventure story involving a talking dragon?! The author has made a conscious effort to include a range of diverse characters in the story which is always very beneficial for young readers from different cultural backgrounds.

192 pages / Reviewed by Lucy Newton

Suggested Reading Age 7+