The Different Dragon

Bryan, Jennifer. The Different Dragon. Illus. Danamarie Hosler. Ridley Park, PA: Two Lives, 2006.

Noah is a young boy living with his two mothers, little sister, and a plethora of pets. Although he no longer needs much help getting ready for bed he still loves to have a bedtime story told to him by his mom, Go-Ma. In a collaborative effort, Go-Ma and Noah weave a fantastical tale about journeying on a sailboat to a faraway land and meeting a dragon who may not be as fierce as he first seems.

Most of this book centers around the interaction between Noah and Go-Ma. While Noah’s other mother is pictured, she is never named. The illustrations depict Noah’s mothers as the matriarchs of a loving home, simply helping their children with all of those familiar bedtime routines. The fact that Noah comes from a family with same-sex parents merely frames the narrative. The central focus is Go-Ma and Noah’s bedtime story which carries a positive message about character, expectations, and acceptance. Jennifer Bryan presents Noah's family as normal part of his life, incidental to the overall story of The Different Dragon.

Illustrator Danamarie Hosler creates a beautiful home for Noah and his family, sprinkled with all the charms of a family living with two young kids. She is able to seamlessly transport the reader into the dreamy world of Noah and Go-Ma’s bedtime fairytale, making this a perfect book for anyone’s bedtime routine.