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Matthew's Dragon

susan cooper jos. a. smith

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Matthew can't believe his eyes! Coming from the pages of his favorite book is a mysterious green glow. Suddenly, a tiny green dragon appears -- and with a touch of his magic golden claw, Matthew is as small as he is! Off they go, battling the monstrous cat next door and munching on giant tomatoes. And as dawn approaches, Matthew takes flight on the wings of his new best friend. Flying high above the clouds with hundreds of other beautiful dragons, it's an adventure he'll never forget.

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 1,1991

This edition

Format
32 pages, Paperback
Published
January 1, 1994 by Aladdin Paperbacks
ISBN
9780689717949
ASIN
0689717946
Language
English

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About the author

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susan cooper

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Susan Cooper's latest book is the YA novel "Ghost Hawk" (2013)

Susan Cooper was born in 1935, and grew up in England's Buckinghamshire, an area that was green countryside then but has since become part of Greater London. As a child, she loved to read, as did her younger brother, who also became a writer. After attending Oxford, where she became the first woman to ever edit that university's newspaper, Cooper worked as a reporter and feature writer for London's Sunday Times; her first boss was James Bond creator Ian Fleming.

Cooper wrote her first book for young readers in response to a publishing house competition; "Over Sea, Under Stone" would later form the basis for her critically acclaimed five-book fantasy sequence, "The Dark Is Rising." The fourth book in the series, "The Grey King," won the Newbery Medal in 1976. By that time, Susan Cooper had been living in America for 13 years, having moved to marry her first husband, an American professor, and was stepmother to three children and the mother of two.

Cooper went on to write other well-received novels, including "The Boggart" (and its sequel "The Boggart and the Monster"), "King of Shadows", and "Victory," as well as several picture books for young readers with illustrators such as Ashley Bryan and Warwick Hutton. She has also written books for adults, as well as plays and Emmy-nominated screenplays, many in collaboration with the actor Hume Cronyn, whom she married in 1996. Hume Cronyn died in 2003 and Ms. Cooper now lives in Marshfield MA. When Cooper is not working, she enjoys playing piano, gardening, and traveling.

Recent books include the collaborative project "The Exquisite Corpse Adventure" and her biography of Jack Langstaff titled "The Magic Maker." Her newest book is "Ghost Hawk."

Visit her Facebook pages: www.facebook.com/SusanCooperFanPage
www.facebook.com/GhostHawkBySusanCooper

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Community Reviews

Rating(3.5 / 5.0, 8 votes)
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8 reviews All reviews
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Halalex
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The picture of the small dragon eating the tomato alone is truly captivating.

It has a certain charm that makes it stand out. Just imagining the small dragon, with its unique appearance and expression, enjoying the tomato all by itself is enough to pique one's interest.

This single picture holds so much potential for storytelling and激发 imagination. It could be the starting point of a wonderful adventure or a heartwarming tale.

The details in the picture, such as the texture of the tomato and the look on the small dragon's face, add to its appeal.

It is no wonder that this picture is considered worth buying the book for.

It has the power to draw readers in and make them eager to explore the rest of the story that lies within the pages of the book.

Whether you are a fan of dragons, a lover of beautiful illustrations, or simply someone who enjoys a good story, this picture is sure to have something to offer.

So, don't miss out on the opportunity to own this book and experience the magic of the small dragon eating the tomato alone.

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Whotfreads
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is a truly enchanting story about a boy who embarks on an extraordinary adventure right in his own front yard, accompanied by a dragon.

They share a unique bond as they eat tomatoes together, a simple yet delightful activity. But the adventure takes an exciting turn when they shrink to the size of a mouse and have to flee from the neighbor's cat.

This book was one of my all-time favorite reads during my childhood. Now that I am a parent myself, I couldn't wait to share this wonderful story with my child.

We both thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The element of adventure in the book is what I find most appealing. It takes the reader on a thrilling journey that keeps them engaged from start to finish.

It is an absolute must-read for children who are obsessed with dragons, just like I was when I was young. I have decided to keep this book in our collection of books because it is not only a fun read but also offers a fascinating perspective on what it would be like to be small.

It sparks the imagination and allows children to explore a world full of magic and wonder.

Overall, this book is a timeless classic that will continue to bring joy and excitement to generations of children.
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Hexdsid
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is an advanced text for an easy reader children's picture book. The illustrations in this book are truly lovely.

Each one seems to tell a story of its own. Among them, I have a particular favorite. It is the illustration where the dragon is biting into a cherry tomato.

The dragon's expression is so生动 that it makes you feel as if you can see it enjoying the delicious tomato. The colors used in the illustration are bright and vibrant, which really catch the eye of the reader.

This picture book is not only a great source of entertainment for children but also helps them to improve their reading skills. The simple yet engaging text, along with the beautiful illustrations, makes it a joy to read.

Overall, it is a wonderful addition to any children's bookshelf.
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JacobekTheEnd
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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One of my son's absolute favorites when he was young was this particular book.

I decided to read it once more in order to cross off a prompt on my reading challenge.

As I delved into the story again, it brought back a flood of memories, making it a truly nostalgic experience.

The book is not only a great read but also a wonderful reminder of the special times I shared with my son while reading it to him.

It's amazing how a single book can hold so much significance and evoke such strong emotions.

#popsugarreadingchallenge2024 (prompt 23 - A book that features dragons)
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Wolf92
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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If stories have ever come to life for you in your imagination, I mean really come to life, you will appreciate what happens to Matthew in this delightful children's story.

Matthew is an ordinary boy with an extraordinary imagination. One day, as he is reading a book about a magical land, he suddenly finds himself transported into that very world.

He meets all kinds of奇妙的creatures and has many exciting adventures. Along the way, he learns valuable lessons about friendship, courage, and believing in oneself.

The story is filled with colorful illustrations that bring the magical land to life on the page. It is a wonderful tale that will capture the hearts and minds of children and adults alike.

Whether you are a child looking for a fun adventure or an adult who still believes in the power of imagination, this story is sure to delight you. So sit back, relax, and let Matthew take you on a journey you will never forget.
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Rammelbips
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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**Matthew's Magical Dragon Adventure**

One night, after his mother reads him a captivating dragon story, his absolute favorite kind, Matthew is tucked into bed. Little does he know that he is about to embark on a truly magical adventure. Suddenly, one of the dragons from his storybook comes alive right before his eyes. Matthew and his new dragon friend find themselves shrunk down to tiny versions of themselves. They then head out into the moonlit night. First, they have to flee and hide from the neighbor's cat, which proves to be a thrilling and somewhat scary experience. After narrowly escaping the cat, they take off into the night sky for an enchanting flight with all the dragons that populate the stories Matthew loves so well.



The author/illustrator team of Susan Cooper and Jos. A. Smith first collaborated in 1991 on "Matthew's Dragon". They would later go on to work together on the 1993 Christmas picture book "Danny and the Kings". The narrative of "Matthew's Dragon" is highly engaging and is filled with the kinds of story elements that young people adore. There's the nighttime adventure when one should be in bed, the storybook character who comes alive and steps out of his book, the magical creature who becomes a friend and playmate, and the child who shrinks to a miniature size and has dangerous experiences. Cooper weaves all these elements together seamlessly, creating a story that feels both natural and enchanted. Smith's artwork complements the tale beautifully. It is colorful and immediate, drawing young readers right into the heart of the adventure.



My only critique of the story is that the cat adversary is depicted as mean just for the sake of it, like a true villain, which doesn't quite align with my own views. However, leaving that one element aside, I truly enjoyed this picture book. I would highly recommend it to young dragon lovers who dream of having their own draconite adventure.

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Thascout
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I haven't given a 5 to a children's book in quite some time.

This particular book is an excellent little story that revolves around a boy, a talking dragon, and the power and importance of stories.

It took us a few days to get through as it is more text-heavy than what we are accustomed to.

Moreover, having toddler twins is synonymous with exhaustion.

However, this book also gave us something to look forward to at bedtime.

The story captured our attention and imagination, transporting us to a world of adventure and wonder.

The boy's interaction with the talking dragon was both charming and engaging, and it taught valuable lessons about friendship, courage, and the magic of storytelling.

Despite the challenges of reading a more text-heavy book with tired toddlers, it was well worth the effort.

We will definitely be adding this book to our collection and recommending it to other families.

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Uzumaki_Hana
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Lovely story line & amazing illustrations.


This combination is truly a delight for the eyes and the imagination. The story line unfolds in a charming and engaging way, pulling the reader in and making them eager to see what happens next.


The illustrations, on the other hand, are simply breathtaking. They bring the story to life in vivid colors and detailed images, adding depth and dimension to the narrative.


Together, the lovely story line and amazing illustrations create a magical world that readers of all ages can enjoy. Whether you're a child or an adult, this combination is sure to capture your heart and leave you with a smile on your face.

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