by Rachel Jankovic
Illustrated by Forrest Dickison
32 pages / 2022
Rating: GOOD/Great/Give
“Now this cranky danky dragon
Liked to drink a dragon whine
That he made of boys’ complaining
Brewed in a bitter brine.”
This is a story about a boy, “Sir Badalot,” learning to control his emotions – the “Cranky Danky Dragon” that lives inside him and loves when he complains or when he gets angry after things don’t go the way he would like. Sir Badalot builds a castle, and when it falls down in ruins he throws a tantrum:
“He felt around for nasty words…
These sticks are dumb! This tree is rude!”
Afterward, he feels ashamed of his response. He, being a knight, decides to fight against that Cranky Danky Dragon “like a man!” He reassesses the situation and starts noticing all the things he loves around him. He builds his castle again and begins singing. Sir Badalot’s cheerful demeanor makes it impossible for the Cranky Danky Dragon to make him a miserable mess again.
The story is told in rhyme, albeit occasionally off-sync, and is intended to help kids learn to control their tempers. The illustrations by Forrest Dickison are magnificent and very apropos to the allegory that Rachel Jankovic weaves. It’s a fun story with pictures that kids will love.
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