Erik Craddock

In the seventh book of the series, we join Stone Rabbit, Henri and Andy are sucked into a mythical board game Dragons & Stuff when they use magical dice that Henri stole from Larry at the antiques store. Henri gradually learns his lesson of why you shouldn't take things that don’t belong to you as the trio must advance through the game in order to return to Happy Glades. The text of the book includes dialogue, transitional statements, and onomatopoeias that make this a fast paced and action packed story. The colored, cartoon illustrations appear in a variety of ways including multi-paned pages or single pictures on multiple pages. The story makes use of basic graphic novel techniques, such as the portrayal of simultaneous events in addition to the passage of time through pictures and words. The back matter includes a list of new vocabulary from the story with corresponding definitions. This book would be an engaging alternative to transitional chapter books for readers trying to build their reading skills and vocabulary. However, as the seventh book in the series, readers are not introduced to the characters or setting of the series and will likely want to read the books in order. This book is recommend as an additional purchase for a transitional chapter book or graphic novel selection. (Ages 7-10)… (meer)

Stone Rabbit #7: Dragon Boogie comes off as a hyperactive combination between Jumanji and Dungeons and Dragons. It’s humorous and it’s silly; it’s got everything that boys (well, children of a certain age in general, really) love: fart jokes and adventure. While at times the illustrations are so jam-packed and colorful one wonders if they should be preceded by a seizure warning, it is doubtless that young readers have fun with Erik Craddock’s graphic novel series.

In Dragon Boogie, Stone Rabbit and his friends Henri and Andy, are stuck inside during a storm when the electricity goes out. Andy suggests they play a game of “Dragons and Stuff,” and when Henri uses a pair of stolen dice, the boys are transported to a medieval world and have to finish out their game in real life. They are aided by Henri’s grandfather, Grandpa the Great, who is a slightly ineffectual wizard in this new world. Several familiar faces are encountered along the way, as they battle monsters, dragons and various otherworldly foes.

The text of Dragon Boogie is easy to understand for struggling readers but Craddock includes some higher vocabulary words to challenge readers and expand their skills, with helpful definitions and pronunciations at the back of the book. The action zooms by and will be an excellent choice for any reader with a shorter attention span.… (meer)