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Mariana (Mari) Valente grew up seeking to surround herself with animals. Whether they were big or small, tamed or wild, fluffy or slimy, she loved them all and, given the chance, was very likely to try to pet them. If she wasn't out there looking for creatures to adore, she would probably be in her room drawing them or admiring beautifully illustrated books and animations. She thought she would grow up to become a veterinarian but, to her astonishment, she graduated in advertising in 2004.
Fortunately, this led to a career as an illustrator, mainly doing ad
campaigns with some opportunities for editorial work and a bit of art.
All that while, she also fostered the desire to write a children's book, but the muse wouldn't come...
It came in 2018, with the birth of her daughter, Elis. The Girl and the Dragoness is the author's first book, where all of her passions meet, born anew by looking at the world through the kind and curious eyes of her five year old daughter.
Reviewed by Tania Staley for Readers' Favorite
In Mari Valente’s The Girl and the Dragoness, there is a street where many kids and their special pets play. Some have dogs, while others have cats. One has a hamster. Ellis has a weird dragon. Lily the dragon can’t breathe fire or fly. She’s clumsy, and she drools. But to Ellis, she is the perfect companion. They dance, play, and climb trees together. Lily is loyal, kind, and amusing. If only all the other kids and their pets could see just how special Lily is too.
The Girl and the Dragoness by Mari Valente is a feast for the eyes and the soul. It is sure to leave readers smiling and hugging their unique pets a little closer (even those that drool or screech or make a mess at the most inopportune times). As a pet owner myself, who spent the morning trying to get her quirky, screeching cat to stop meowing, this book made me laugh and appreciate my old companion just a little bit more. The illustrations immediately drew me in. The colors are vibrant, the characters are cute and colorful with plenty of quirks to amuse, and even the font that is used dances across the page with unique formatting and styles. But the text is just as strong as the illustrations. The story is full of heart and is sure to be beloved by readers young and old alike. I truly hope to read more children’s literature from Mari Valente because this one was a joy to read.
