Title: The Story of Winifred and Desmond
Author: Roger Flemming
Publisher: Pen Culture Solutions
ISBN: 978-1638123729
Pages: 58
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book / Young Readers
Reviewed by: Jennifer Bailey
Pacific Book Review
Desmond has spent his whole life believing he was a lamb, until the day Winifred the witch crashes into his life. As soon as she learns he can breathe fire, she tries to lead him down the wrong path. But young Desmond knows what is right and what is wrong, and tries to run away. On his journey he finds a job assisting a blacksmith in his forge. Ashamed of her behavior, Winifred learns where Desmond is and convinced Desmond to become her friend again. With their friendship renewed they have a grand party and hopefully will find themselves on many more adventures.
The Story of Winifred and Desmond is a spectacular novel for young readers. It helps them develop their reading skills through an entertaining story. This is a tale that portrays doing what is right verse doing what’s wrong, and knowing the difference. Readers see Desmond wanting the friendship, but not wanting to do bad things, a sort of young internal conflict. Author Roger Flemming does a beautiful job painting the setting and characters for his young audience, making them want to keep reading and see what other adventures Desmond and Winifred could get into.
Flemming gives his young readers a character they can easily relate to, a recognizable friend, and experiences they could picture themselves doing. Paired with beautiful and colorful illustrations, Flemming’s storytelling easily brings the tale to life. There are many elements that make this story perfectly enchanting and adorable, such as Desmond sleeping in a dresser drawer of clothes and befriend a cat. This is a delightfully clever, silly, and bewitching novel. Mr. Flemming disguises life lessons, imagination, and learning in a mesmerizing tale of friendship, adventure, and finding out where one belongs in the world. It is easy to follow along without extensively large words. This children’s tale is the perfect length to capture and hold a young reader’s attention until the very end.
The Story of Winifred and Desmond is an enjoyable and exciting read about an enchanting dragon and his charismatic witch friend. It is the perfect rainy day book, or bedtime reading tale. Children of all ages are bound to fall in love with this tale and make it an instant classic.
