Nickerbacher, The Funniest Dragon
Chock full of humor and enchanting illustrations, this captivating picture book is sure to entertain and inspire.
A fairy tale for independent dreamers, Nickerbacher, The Funniest Dragon, by Terry John Barto, is a lighthearted mix of bravery, kindness, and family, bringing together a knight, a princess, and a modern-minded dragon with aspirations for success in the big city. The award-winning Nickerbacher, colorfully illustrated by Kim Sponaugle, is sure to entertain and inspire.
Nickerbacher stands watch over Princess Gwendolyn in her castle; as everyone knows, “every dragon has a duty to guard princesses.” He secretly longs to escape to the stage and pursue a career as a stand-up comedian, but fears the disapproval of his father. When Prince Happenstance, who has a secret wish of his own, attempts to battle Nickerbacher, the outcome is heartwarming and hilarious, resulting in Nickerbacher’s much-anticipated comedic debut.
With his Groucho Marx eyebrows and soulful expressions, Nickerbacher’s playfulness and earnestness are expertly captured by the illustrator. Using a combination of her trademark watercolor, pastels, and pen and ink, Sponaugle’s illustrations shine, tying together modern city scenes with a dreamy renaissance castle and earning Nickerbacher a 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award for best illustrations. The jump from royal rural to urban contemporary is swift but smooth, and Nickerbacher seems at home both in front of the castle and in front of a microphone.
As a hopeful future comic, Nickerbacher is always trying out jokes, heavy on the puns, and loves making those around him laugh, even if they’ve come to storm the castle. “I’ll slay you with laughter,” Nickerbacher tells Prince Happenstance as they face off. Some one-liners, particularly during his live performance, may go over the heads of younger children, but there are plenty of quips and dragon funniness throughout, including, “Why did it take me forever to cross the road?” The answer, of course, “Because I’m always a-draggin.”
The story progresses quickly, adding to the light feel despite the themes of family approval, fear of rejection, and the courage required to seek out your own brand of happiness. This adds up to make Nickerbacher, The Funniest Dragon perfect for elementary-school-aged children, but with enough humor and enchanting pictures to captivate older audiences as well.
Reviewed by
Pallas Gates McCorquodale
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
