In Davy’s Dragon Castle, children learn to get along with others no matter the color of their fur or skin. It’s important for children to learn the concept of, and how to not be racist and toddlers are a great age to start the teaching. Anti-racism education in elementary school starts with students’ awareness of themselves, of others and of how those interactions play out. All social and emotional learning helps children to express feelings and be tuned in to the needs of others. This teaching contributes to the development of all children. Additionally, children are introduced to a character that wears a prosthetic leg, giving children a chance to learn and understand how prosthetics work and if it does/does not limit abilities. Acceptance and inclusion are important in social learning from an early age. The opportunity to interact with your child/children in a positive environment, such as the castle in this story, illustrates the importance of a positive environment in aiding children with learning social skills with other children and adults.  Davy’s Dragon Castle helps parents and teachers to reinforce positive behaviors in an imaginative setting of imaginary dragons, castle, and town. Learning and sharing are essential for social development in all children.  $2.99 #kidlit #picturebook #ASMSG #BooksWorthReading #dragons #fairytales

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Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

Davy’s Dragon Castle is a work of fiction in the children’s and fantasy genres. It is aimed at younger readers and was penned by creative team Mary and Michael Schmidt. Set in Dragon Town, the book is about Davy the Dragon who lives in a castle and invites all the local children and their families to a big Christmas party. The party is a big deal in the town and all the people look forward to it almost as much as Davy himself, and the big rule of his party is that everyone is welcome no matter what!

This is a wonderful book to share with your little ones this Christmas time, and indeed all year round. Emphasizing the importance of being welcoming and accepting to all people no matter how different they are to you, Mary and Michael Schmidt have created not just a fun tale for children but an important message about how to behave in the world. Davy is a delightful dragon and a wonderful role model for young readers, leading the way by focusing his life on enjoying happy experiences with any who would be his friend. I also thought it was a lovely and important touch that Davy’s response to Cindy for not including his friends wasn’t to be angry with her but to explain and help her understand why she was wrong not to let the BunBun family attend. Davy’s Dragon Castle has a lot of depth around the issues of race and inclusion and is aimed squarely at an audience who needs to be hearing that message.

Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite

Imagine a magical castle ruled by a very special dragon. Davy is that special dragon and his heart is bigger than the castle. Davy believes in sharing with everyone, no matter what their skin or fur color is, no matter where they live, or how rich or poor they are, and certainly no matter what physical and psychological differences they might have. Everyone is equal to Davy and every year when he plans his special Christmas party for the people of Dragon Town, the party is meant for everyone. As he tells one of the fairies who tries to turn away the BunBun Rabbit family, “Anyone who finds my castle is welcome.” This is the way God wants us to live and it’s the way Davy wants to live, too.

Mary and Michael Schmidt’s picture book story, Davy’s Dragon Castle, is a sweet story about caring, learning about our differences, and accepting everyone in honor of their unique differences. The story is told in simple language so young readers can follow along. The bright, bold, colorful illustrations are spectacular and certainly help move the story along. The font appears in multiple colors depending on the page so it stands out, but also to point out that different colors don’t change the depth of the meaning of the words, just like different colors don’t change people. The story is full of fun and excitement leading up to Davy’s big Christmas party and the authors continually stress the importance of everyone being included. A simple story with a powerful message, beautifully told. Anti-racism education in elementary school starts with students’ awareness of themselves, of others and of how those interactions play out.

Reviewed By Jamie Michele for Readers’ Favorite

Davy’s Dragon Castle by Mary and Michael Schmidt is a children’s picture book that revolves around a secret city known to only those who live there and the party of the year, hosted by the titular dragon named Davy. Also named after Davy is the town itself, Dragon Town, with the castle he and his wife Lily inhabit playing a central role in the lives of the townsfolk. The children who go to the castle for their education are all invited to the Christmas party alongside their families, with the castle decorated for the pleasure and enjoyment of all…except a small rabbit family who almost quite literally get left out from the party in the cold.

Davy’s Dragon Castle is a simple book with a very big heart. Husband and wife team Mary and Michael Schmidt provide another piece of kid-lit with the intent of providing a lesson, and in this book, that lesson is on discrimination. While the instance happens quickly and is resolved almost immediately, around the festivities a Strawberry Fairy named Cindy inexplicably tells the BunBun Rabbit family that they cannot enter the castle for the party. While no reason is provided, it is assumed that the basis is the color of their fur or the fact that they are rabbits. The ambiguity of the action works in the favor of a parent who can use the event as a tool to engage young children in dialogue. Why do you think Cindy was not letting the family in? If it wasn’t for the reason implied, how could she have handled this better? All good, thoughtful prompts that make this a lovely little book to serve that purpose.