{Guest Post by Becky Flansburg)
\”His name is Norbert and he was a childhood friend of mine as I played on the rolling hills of Gotland, Sweden. What you believed about dragons being terrifying is not correct–they actually make great friends!\”
Those were the exact words that popped out of author and publisher, Valarie Budayr\’s mouth when she excitedly told me about a vibrant and unique picture book that had been rattling around in her uber-creative mind since childhood.
I\’m pretty sure my eyebrows hit my hairline in surprise at the thought of dragons being good…happy…playful…and yes, \”friendable.\”
But the inner 8-year-old in me clapped with excitement at the thought of this actually being a possibility.
The result was an exquisite “fairly true” story based on Valarie\’s childhood friendship with a REAL live Dragon.
So, what if I told you that all of the fairy tales, myths, and legends that have been told about dragons over the years are WRONG?
What if I told you that Dragons are indeed REAL and that they are different than you\’ve ever imagined? Did you know that Dragons are the master of disguises and will do anything for treats?
Dragons Are Real is the result of the wizardry, magic, talent, and imagination of author Valarie Budayr and illustrator-extraordinaire Michael Welply.
Fast-forward a handful of years and it makes me so happy to see how young readers are loving Norbert and Valarie\’s adventures.
Dragon lovers will rejoice when Valarie Budayr reveals the truth about a dragon\’s nature and how great a companion it can be! Every spread has one or more beautiful, majestic, dragons, some old and some very young, with a truth written in fancy decorated lettering, and a detailed explanation of that truth. Valarie Budayr\’s book makes the reader suspend disbelief and enter the realm of a world full of dragons waiting to become our friends.~ Amazon reviewer
Norbert and Valarie were even guests on KidLitTv\’s StoryMakers!
So remember, despite what the history books claim, a true dragon is a humble and gentle friend to all. I\’m thinking that all of these amazing qualities that would make anyone want a dragon similar to Norbert to be their bestie for life.
Dragons are Real is available on AudreyPress.com and Amazon.
