Book Review of Merry Christmas, Dragon!
The Children’s Book Review
Merry Christmas, Dragon!
Written by Bianca Schulze
Illustrated by Samara Hardy
Ages: 3-5 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Clever Publishing (2026) | ISBN-13: 979-8888674895
What to Expect: Christmas, Holiday Excitement, Mindfulness, Slowing Down, Friendship, Consideration for Others, Interactive Read-Aloud
A holiday-crazed dragon learns that the best parts of Christmas happen when you slow down and share them with friends.
Bells are ringing, cinnamon and pine fill the air, and Dragon has a to-do list so long it unfurls across the page. She wants to wrap gifts, string lights, sing carols, decorate the tree, bake cookies, and go ice-skating, all at the same time. As she whirls from one festive task to the next, her enthusiasm leaves a trail of tangled lights, toppled music stands, and annoyed villagers in its wake. Can Dragon find a way to enjoy the season without turning it into a blur?
The writing is built for reading aloud. Playful sound words (“cutty-cut-cut,” “foldy-fold-fold”) and the recurring refrain “Slow down, Dragon! There’s no need to rush” give young listeners something to anticipate and chant along with. Interactive prompts invite readers to catch a snowflake on their tongue, make a snow angel, blow on hot cocoa, and take a deep breath alongside Dragon. These turn a lesson about mindfulness into something children actually do with their bodies. The message about considering others is stated plainly near the end, which will suit the youngest readers.
Samara Hardy’s illustrations are bright and full of warmth, and Dragon herself is irresistible, with her Santa hat, green striped scarf, and expressive face that shifts easily from giddy to frazzled to serene. The snowy medieval village, with half-timbered houses, a bell tower, and a castle on the hill, feels cozy and storybook-classic. Small details reward repeat readings—a mouse sidekick scampers through nearly every spread, and the to-do list scroll and gift tags are worth pausing over. Hardy also draws a diverse cast of knights, royals, cooks, and musicians, and the closing group hug on the final page lands with emotional payoff.
Merry Christmas, Dragon! is a joyful, gently grounding holiday read for preschoolers and early elementary children, especially little ones who get swept up in the excitement of the season. It’s an ideal pick for families looking to start conversations about patience and togetherness during the busiest time of the year, and a welcome addition for fans of the Dragon series.
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About the Author
Bianca Schulze is the founder and editor of The Children’s Book Review—a resource devoted to children’s literature and literacy—and host of The Growing Readers Podcast.
Bianca is also the author of Don’t Wake the Dragon (translated into 20 languages), now a seven-book series, and 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (an Amazon Editors’ pick for Best Nonfiction for Kids). A passionate advocate for children’s literature, Bianca serves as the Webinar Coordinator for the SCBWI Rocky Mountain Chapter and is an active member of The Authors Guild.
Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Bianca now lives near Boulder, Colorado, with her husband and three children, where she continues to be a reader, reviewer, and devoted children’s book lover.
For more information, visit https://www.biancaschulze.com.
About the Illustrator
Samara Hardy is the illustrator of Don’t Wake the Dragon and Who Loves the Dragon? An experienced illustrator and designer, she has created artwork for clients worldwide for greeting cards, stationery, homewares, children’s books, and more. She lives in Surrey, England.
