Dragons Love Tacos: A Cozy Read-Aloud Adventure
Ah, the beautiful chaos of bedtime! Just when you think you’ve wrangled the kids into their pjs, the squabbles over “who gets to choose tonight’s book” begin. As I reached for a familiar favorite, I noticed my older son, at 16 years old, sitting on the edge of the bed, his mood clearly not the best. On a whim, I suggested we take a detour to the children’s library, where we planted ourselves in the storytime nook. That’s when Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin came into our lives, and oh, what a joy it was!
This delightful tale follows a boy who adores dragons, which isn’t far from how my children feel about mythical creatures too. The main plot revolves around the boy’s mission to throw a taco party for his dragon friends, leading to delightful chaos when he uncovers the “No Spicy Tacos” rule for dragons. As soon as my son started giggling at the outrageous antics between tacos and dragons, I knew we’d struck gold. We were suddenly swept away, leaving behind any remnants of a rough day.
One of the things that really stood out to me was the author’s playful style. Rubin’s writing is whimsical yet straightforward, which made it engaging for my younger kids while also amusing for my teenager. The repetition, so often tedious in other stories, worked wonders here as it kept my little ones hooked. They chimed in with laughter, urging me to read the “dragon fact” sections, where we learned exactly why dragons love tacos.
Now, let’s talk illustrations! The art, created by Daniel Salmieri, is a feast for the eyes. My daughter immediately pointed out the quirky expressions of the dragons—each one felt uniquely lively! Those banana-shaped dragons flying with taco party hats? Absolute gems! My kids often paused to point out details, finding something new each time—we even indulged in discussions about what our own dragon characters would look like over a “taco” snack break (which was, of course, a great excuse to have more tacos).
An unexpected highlight came when I encouraged my son, who usually rolls his eyes at children’s books, to pick a page to read aloud. He chose this hilarious spread where the dragons’ love for tacos nearly sideswipes their home! Watching him animatedly retell that part sent me right back to the days when he would sit in my lap, engrossed in stories. It was a moment of pure nostalgia, reminding me just how the magic of a good book can bridge any generational gap.
I wholeheartedly recommend Dragons Love Tacos to families with kiddos aged 4 to 10, and I’d say it’s a great choice for slightly grumpy teenagers who might just need a sprinkle of childlike joy in their lives. It’s not merely a one-time read—it’s quickly become a new family favorite. The laughter we shared reminded me of the importance of light-hearted moments, especially amid life’s everyday rollercoaster.
As we wrapped up our taco adventure, I couldn’t help but feel a bit grateful. Sometimes, all you need is a bit of whimsy and a great story to turn a tough day into a cherished memory. So, if you’re ever in need of an escape into a taco-filled dragon world, don’t hesitate—grab this book and let the adventure unfold in your home too!
