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Absurdity as Joy
Teaches that stories don't have to make logical sense to be enjoyable, freeing children's imagination from reality constraints.
Why It's On Our Shelf
The premise is absurd - dragons love tacos but spicy salsa makes them breathe fire and destroy things - and the execution is perfect. The deadpan humor by Adam Rubin combined with Daniel Salmieri's detailed illustrations creates comedy that works for kids and adults. Kids love the silliness and the chaos when the dragons eat spicy salsa at the party. Adults appreciate the commitment to the bit and the visual gags hidden in the illustrations. What makes this work is that it takes its ridiculous premise completely seriously, which is the key to good comedy. The sequel is almost as good, but the first one is the classic for a reason.
Why It Works
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Consequences Matter
Even in silly stories, actions have results - the spicy salsa leads to dragon chaos.
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Visual Storytelling
Illustrations add layers of humor beyond the text, encouraging close observation and rewarding rereading.
Imagination & Make-Believe
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak
Max sails to a land of wild creatures and becomes their king.
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Imagination & Make-Believe
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Crockett Johnson
Harold draws his own adventure with his magical purple crayon.
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Imagination & Make-Believe
Not a Box
Antoinette Portis
A rabbit transforms a simple box into anything imagination allows.
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