"Puff the Magic Dragon" is a beloved children's book that was first published in 1963. Written by Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton, and illustrated by Eric Puybaret, the book tells the story of a friendly dragon named Puff and his adventures with a little boy named Jackie Paper. The book opens with Jackie Paper discovering a cave on the shore, where he meets a lonely dragon named Puff. Although initially scared, Jackie soon befriends Puff and the two embark on imaginative adventures together. They visit far-away lands and have incredible experiences, all while forming an unbreakable bond of friendship. As the story progresses, we see Jackie growing up and becoming preoccupied with the responsibilities of adulthood, leaving Puff feeling lonely and abandoned.
As the story progresses, we see Jackie growing up and becoming preoccupied with the responsibilities of adulthood, leaving Puff feeling lonely and abandoned. Puff waits for Jackie to return, but as time passes, he realizes that Jackie has forgotten about their adventures. This bittersweet realization is a poignant moment in the story, highlighting the passage of time and the loss of innocence.
Poor Unfortunate Soul: A Tale of the Sea Witch – Book Review
Author Serena Valentino has taken the world by storm with her best-selling Disney Villains novels published by Disney Press. Not only do Valentino’s stories give readers the opportunity to explore villains they know and love, readers are also introduced to new characters that operate behind the scenes of classic Disney plots, giving tales-as-old-as-time a bewitching new twist.
The books in the series are as follows and are best enjoyed if read in this order:
- Fairest of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen
- The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty’s Prince
- Poor Unfortunate Soul: A Tale of the Sea Witch
- Mistress of All Evil: A Tale of the Dark Fairy
- Mother Knows Best: A Tale of the Old Witch; and
- The Odd Sisters: A Tale of Three Witches
- TBA
With the long-awaited release of The Odd Sisters: A Tale of Three Witches – the first of Valentino’s characters to have a book of their own – set to hit shelves this summer, I decided to re-read and review Books 1-4. (See my book review of Fairest of All and The Beast Within.) If that’s not a countdown celebration, I don’t know what is.
Please note: this review CONTAINS SPOILERS. Do NOT read ahead if you have not read Books 1, 2 and 3.
Poor Unfortunate Soul – the third book in the Valentino Villains series – gives Ursula her very own voice with which to tell her very own story. The tale of the cheeky sea witch, maker of deals, and uncrowned queen of the Unprotected Waters challenges the reader to think about what he or she values and how those values might manifest. It also advances readers to the next level of villainy: detestation for human failings, vengeful destruction and “divine hatred.”
In many respects the lessons in this book go against the grain of traditional fairytales, advocating instead for being true to oneself and embracing what others might perceive as imperfections. Ursula is most comfortable in her octopus-like skin rather than her human Vanessa form or any other form bestowed upon her by others. Tulip has learned a lot from her first romantic ordeal and strives to be stronger, less generically physically attractive, and less giggly.
These self-love lessons, however, come at a cost. Ursula is forced to balance the power she feels in her true tentacled form with the dark power arising from her “deep, penetrating sorrow” that seeks to possess her. She is comfortable in herself and in her nightmarish revenge. It is strangely comforting to know that achieving balance, whether in the world of mortals or magic, is not particularly easy (and not always successful).
I thoroughly enjoyed my immersion into magic in this book. Valentino invites the reader to begin exploring the many different levels of magic and power possessed by the characters in a way that we had not seen in books one and two. Circe has great power and great control over her power; [SPOILER] Pflanze has more of a slowburn magic requiring lengthy recuperation time; [SPOILER] Nanny’s power is gradually coming back to her after a considerable hiatus and is delicately juxtaposed with the power wielded by Circe and Pflanze. The Odd Sisters’ reminders that “fire and water don’t mix” also give the reader some insight into the likely clash of curses between Ursula and Maleficent. Magic is not a simple, straightforward business.
While playing out Ursula’s “Poor Unfortunate Souls” scene from The Little Mermaid was not, in my view, necessary (I felt that it detracted from Valentino’s creative prowess), it did provide continuity for the film and story plots. The lyrics are irrefutably fabulous and denying Valentino’s Ursula her debut might have pulled her too far away from The Little Mermaid for young readers. This scene was also a challenge for Valentino who did not have to contend with musical numbers for the Wicked Queen or the Beast.
In any event, I love the more subdued tie-ins – [SPOILER] like Circe as one of Ursula’s minions, eventually set free to rise out of the skeleton garden as the minions did in one of the final scenes of the film. I always wondered what some of the minions’ stories were beyond “this one longs to be thinner, that one wants to get the girl.” Such execution is also suggestive of the Valentino story playing out right before your very eyes in the film, not just behind the scenes where the real (Odd Sisters’) magic happens.
I also have a soft spot for the backstories of famous objects from the Disney films. In Fairest of All, I loved the story of the pierced-heart box. In this story, Ursula’s shell necklace carries more baggage than just Ariel’s voice. I have probably spoiled too much already, so to uncover these and other nifty histories, snag yourself a copy of Poor Unfortunate Soul! In the meantime, I leave you with my favorite quote from Book 3:
“I’d rather spend my days reading and learning something of the world! Not trapped away in some man’s castle, at his beck and call!” – Tulip
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In any event, I love the more subdued tie-ins – [SPOILER] like Circe as one of Ursula’s minions, eventually set free to rise out of the skeleton garden as the minions did in one of the final scenes of the film. I always wondered what some of the minions’ stories were beyond “this one longs to be thinner, that one wants to get the girl.” Such execution is also suggestive of the Valentino story playing out right before your very eyes in the film, not just behind the scenes where the real (Odd Sisters’) magic happens.
"Puff the Magic Dragon" is often praised for its beautiful illustrations, which bring the characters and scenes to life. The vibrant and whimsical art by Eric Puybaret adds to the enchanting nature of the story and captivates young readers. The story of Puff and Jackie Paper is filled with themes of imagination, friendship, and the inevitable process of growing up. It teaches children about the importance of cherishing and nurturing their relationships, even as they navigate through life's changes and challenges. Ever since its publication, "Puff the Magic Dragon" has become a beloved and enduring classic. Its timeless message and enchanting storytelling have captured the hearts of generations of readers, making it a cherished addition to any child's bookshelf..
Reviews for "Immerse Yourself in the Charming World of Pufy the Magic Dragon"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I found "Puffy the Magic Dragon" to be a disappointment. The story was poorly written, with a lackluster plot that failed to engage me. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development, making it difficult to connect with them. Additionally, I found the illustrations to be dull and uninspiring. Overall, I expected more from this widely-acclaimed children's book and was left unimpressed.
2. James - 1 star - "Puffy the Magic Dragon" was a complete waste of time in my opinion. The story was overly simplistic and failed to capture my attention. The rhyming scheme was bland and repetitive, making it difficult to maintain interest throughout. The illustrations were also subpar, lacking creativity and detail. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable and engaging read.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I was disappointed with "Puffy the Magic Dragon." The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear message or moral. The characters were underdeveloped, and I found it difficult to invest in their journey. The illustrations were average at best, lacking the vibrant and captivating visuals that are typically found in children's books. Overall, I thought this book was forgettable and would not recommend it to others.
4. Michael - 1 star - "Puffy the Magic Dragon" was a huge letdown. The story lacked depth and failed to hold my interest. The rhymes felt forced and unnatural, making the reading experience tedious. The illustrations were generic and unmemorable. Overall, I found this book to be unoriginal and uninspiring. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking an engaging and imaginative children's book.
5. Laura - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy "Puffy the Magic Dragon" as much as I had hoped. The storyline was predictable and offered little excitement or surprises. The characters were flat and lacked the charm I was expecting. The illustrations were decent, but they didn't enhance the story in any meaningful way. Overall, this book didn't live up to its reputation and left me feeling unimpressed. I wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a captivating children's book.