King Jack and the Dragon by Peter Bently - ADVISABLE

Bently, Peter.  King Jack and the Dragon, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury.  Dial Books for Young Readers, 2011. $17.99. PICTURE BOOK.  Jack, Zack, and Caspar head out to play and create a den for King Jack and his men.  Thy gather materials like a box, some sticks, and some trash bags in order to make this den.  FInally, they end up with a castle, but then they must defend it from dragons and beasts.  When two giants (adults) come and collect two of the children, Jack is left by himself as the day turns to night.   Will he be brave, or will a dragon attack?  I like this book.  It does allow for younger readers to learn more about playing imaginatively.  But I couldn't help thinking while I was reading that the book is trying too hard to be imaginative.  It felt a little forced.  Still, it is a good book, and I liked the illustrations.  Pre-K, EL(K-3), EL - ADVISABLE.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher