Smok

Marysia and Zuzia are convinced they’ve seen a real dragon, which they talk about with great pride. Their child-like trust in their senses and desire to notice everything around them soon develop into something more. First, rejection and separation, and eventually, friendship. Zuzia upsets Marysia when she accuses her of lying; when Zuzia shares a similar story, she is ridiculed too. Only Marysia doesn’t laugh – she holds out her hand to Zuzia and thus begins their lifelong friendship. Whether the things they saw were real or not becomes less important.

The story of The Dragon works on both the textual and pictorial level. Both layers carry a coherent narrative, and each could be explored separately, indefinitely. The subtle illustrations – ephemeral, multi-layered, metaphysical and equivocal – perfectly portray the adventure described by the author.

This book is an important story, inviting readers on a journey through a child’s perspective on the world. It is honest, full of emotion and space for thought.

The author manages to hide many treasures in this short and rhythmic tale – imagination, senses, empathy, rejection and consolation. Readers will be inspired to contemplate their own dragons and what they represented.