Kodi & the Mystery of Komodo Island
Paul Deslandes and Rose Gerrard
New Frontier Publishing

Young Kodi is a Komodo dragon living on the island of Komodo, a place with an ancient mystery about a gigantic lizard-eating beast. Kodo has many skills: he can crack codes like no other but what he wants to do most is to discover the truth about the legendary beast without becoming its latest feast. Determined to prove his mother wrong when she insists the creature is mere myth, he decides to call the deadly dragon with a song , “Oh, Dragon, Oh Dragon, wherever you may be. I’m juicy and delicious so come and munch on me!” No sooner are the words out of his mouth than Kodi hears an enormous swoosh above his head and feels the shaking of the ground beneath his feet.

Safely back home he reports to his Mum but she still insists he’s making up stories. However the following night Kodi sallies forth again. He immerses himself in the waters around the island and sings his song for a second time.

Back home safely his Mum dismisses what her son says about his encounter, but this serves to fuel Kodi’s determination to meet the dragon face to face. And so he does. Now though, there is nowhere for Kodi to hide.

There he stands: will he be Dragon’s next treat or will the resourceful detective Kodi live to see another day? …

A funny read aloud told in rhyme, with suitably dramatic scenes of the cast of characters, especially the young protagonist whose expressions and body language are really well done.