Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Say Good Night (Rosie the Dragon and Charlie)

Charlie plans, prepares, and completes the steps to put pet dragon Rosie to bed. Charlie, a black child with a high-top fade, has had challenges putting Rosie to bed, so tonight Charlie is prepared with a plan—a long, intricate plan. First, there are supplies to gather: a drink of water (no sneaking juice into it, Rosie), a stuffed horsie (if they can find it), and a fire extinguisher, because—well, because dragons. Bathtime is a mess, but Charlie is at the ready with a towel. Rosie insists on wearing footie pajamas, which cause a dramatic overheating issue, so when the fan Charlie has set up doesn’t work, it’s time for that fire extinguisher. Charlie must wear a raincoat for protection when Rosie brushes her teeth. Finally, after a story, it’s time for Rosie to snuggle into bed while Charlie takes a relaxing bath to unwind—but of course, a post-bedtime emergency is inevitable. Rosie is a round-bellied, buck-toothed, bright pink dragon whose goofy looks are endearing; the cartoonish illustrations are busy, dramatizing the chaos that Rosie brings wherever she goes. Though it drags on a little longer than necessary, this humorous story is a sweet representation of caretaking and patience, with a parallel that can extend to older and younger siblings as well as to parent-child relationships, perhaps making young readers a bit more self-reflective and empathetic. This dramatic bedtime tale is not for everyone but will satisfy many. (Picture book. 4-8)

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