Review Detail

STRONG is a sweet picture book about being different and inner strength. Maurice is a dragon, but he is not like the other dragons, as he loves being quiet and enjoying the flowers. There is a big competition to figure out who is the strongest - and the winner is usually Gruff, Maurice's brother.

This year, Maurice is competing and wants to win, but when he sees how the fire they blow hurts the flowers, he can't do it. When he tries to look fierce, the dragons notice his horns are made of flowers. When it comes to finding the gold, there is a storm and Maurice knows they shouldn't go out. However, a determined Gruff goes out anyway. When he doesn't come back, the other dragons know he probably needs help. Luckily, Maurice has a plan, and he is able to lead them all to find his brother and get him safely home. They all realize that there is more than one type of strength.

What I loved: This is such a sweet story about finding your own paths and celebrating different types of strength. Maurice is a sympathetic character who feels different than the other dragons, something many children can relate to. He learns to embrace himself as he is, and the other dragons also appreciate his own brand of creativity and bravery. There is no right way to be yourself, and this story helps children learn to appreciate their own uniqueness.

The pictures are just lovely throughout. The way Maurice is depicted along with his flowers is just stunning. There are plenty of colors and details to keep young readers engaged in the story, and the pages turn at a length of text that will work perfectly for elementary school aged readers.

Final verdict: STRONG is a charming celebration of inner strength and embracing ourselves as we are - even if we're not quite like everyone else. This story is sure to resonate with elementary school aged readers who have ever felt a little bit different.