ALA Booklist (Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2012)

"Phoosh," says Little Dragon as he delights in emitting puffs of flame. But when he gets sooty, he needs a bath. "Oh, no!" Little Dragon hates bath time. When his wooden toy boat catches fire, he douses it d himself. "Oh, no!" He loses his spark. Afraid that his mother won't love him if he can't breathe fire, Little Dragon tries a series of remedies for problems that ensue. Averbeck brings this familiar theme of an enduring mother's love to a new level, almost mocking the genre with Mama Dragon's saccharin reply: "I'd never stop loving you because you are the spark of my heart." Fortunately, that's not the end of the book; the full-circle narrative, with an illustration as the last word, cleverly turns a tried-and-true message on its ear. The illustrations of this endearing, whimsical blue dragon have a childlike simplicity; the flames, which look like photographed fire, lend a special effect that will ignite young listeners.

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2013)

Some overactive bath play results in fire-breathing Little Dragon losing his "spark." His failed attempts to revive it (bundling up in winter clothes, scarfing down chili peppers) are amusing; his means of success--getting a kiss from his mom--is perfect. Averbeck's art makes broad-lined cartoony characterizations seem like a natural fit with what looks like photos of actual flames.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Thanks to the "spark in his heart," Little Dragon is having a scorching good time-as evidenced by the "PHOOSH" sound effects and realistic digital flames that shoot from his mouth. But when an accidental "glug" of bathwater extinguishes Little Dragon's flame, he is beset by anxiety. Will anything bring back his spark? And if not, will Mama Dragon still love him? Little Dragon tries self-help (belly rubs, eating chili peppers), but it's Mama's kisses that finally do the trick. This feels more like a work in progress than Averbeck's previous books (Except If; In a Blue Room), an impression that isn't mitigated by the lazy "OH NO!" refrain and muddled motivation (the relationship between Mama and her son barely registers, yet it becomes the emotional linchpin of the story). Averbeck's artwork is more successful, especially when portraying Little Dragon's authentically toddlerlike acts of mischief and his fire-breathing talents (he's way beyond smoke rings-he can make hearts and pyramids, too). Despite the story's weaknesses, this endearingly impish hero should find fans. Ages 2-6. Agent: Deborah Warren, East West Literary Agency. (Aug.)

School Library Journal (Tue May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2012)

PreS-KB right blue Little Dragon accidentally squelches his fire in the bathtub. He vainly attempts to rekindle it with a belly rub, layering on winter clothes, and then by consuming chili peppers. Mama's reassurance that no matter what, he is the spark in her heart, causes his insides to warm into a "phoosh" of artistic flames that cover him in soot, requiring a more cautious bath. Backgrounds of outlined stone walls and curved windows serve well to feature the feisty hero and his flames, done in oil pastels on textured paper, and digitally assembled. Details like a tiny skull stool and a Viking helmet faucet add to the viewing pleasure. Although the theme of unconditional motherly love is not new, the antics along the way provide amusement. Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA