Ladybug Nominee

100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli by David Larochelle and Lian Cho (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2023)

High on a mountain live 100 mighty dragons all named Broccoli. When a tremendous wind blows half the dragons away, ten others sail off to become professional surfers in Hawaii. The oldest and youngest dragons take a train to New York City to start their own heavy metal band. And a mysterious wizard turns four more into a unicorn, a werewolf, a zombie, and a tiny pink poodle. Now how many dragons are left? Young readers will delight in following each and every dragon as they leave their home for marvelous adventures, until there is but one dragon remaining. That's when this final dragon named Broccoli retreats to a cave for the winter and reappears in the spring with a surprise that will thrill and delight. Prepare to read again!

About Lian Cho

Lian Cho is an award winning author and illustrator of  picture books. She has lived in both Taiwan and New Zealand and is currently based in Brooklyn. Her website is at https://liancho.com

About David LaRochelle

David LaRochelle lives in Minnesota and has written or illustrated over thirty books, including picture books, puzzle books, and a novel for young adults. His website it at https://davidlarochelle.com/

Activities & Links

• Read along with the author and illustrator at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puol5z0W_t8
• Artsy Craftsy Mom has 15 Dramatic Dragon Crafts you can try at https://artsycraftsymom.com/dragon-crafts-for-kids/
• Learn about real life dragons at https://www.coolkidfacts.com/komodo-dragon-facts/ and https://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-flying-dragons/ 
• For a grown-up look at the history of dragons watch the Dragons episode (6/16/2024) of  The Rest is History at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpdN0N_XxQM (or listen wherever you get your podcasts)
  
• Check out math games from PBS Kids at https://pbskids.org/games/math
• Doodle Learning has 25 fun math activities for preschoolers at https://doodlelearning.com/us/math/guides/math-activities-for-preschoolers

Suggestions for Further Reading

• Check out the other 2024 Ladybug Longlist titles featuring flying creatures at https://nhbookcenter.blogspot.com/2024/02/ladybug-longlist-flying-creatures.html
• If you want another book by David LaRochelle try The Best Pet of All, a 2006 Ladybug nominee.  
• For another book about dragons consider Dragon Was Terrible by Kelly DiPucchio and Greg Pizzoli.
• Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett and Kevin Cornell is another book you can count on. 
  

 

This is one of nine titles nominated for the 2024 Ladybug Picture Book Award.

We will be posting information about a different nominee each Friday throughout the summer and will issue a pdf voters guide featuring all the titles at Labor Day.