Elliot is a lad just about to forsake everything decent in his life – his gran has just died, and he can see no need for the music that has been his constant companion ever again. Meanwhile Olio is about to go off on a harum-scarum adventure, concerning a magical train and a dragon in a hat that might or might not be the guardian he needs. Oh, and both characters are one and the same child, if you needed telling.

I wanted to love this, and it really did seem a crazy attempt at a perfect three-way blend of story about remembering the dead and carrying on as one always had before their passing, a story about the powers of music, and of course a rollicking adventure kind of story. But there were times when it felt very clumsily written – at least in the draft as I read it. More stars than ever seen before are out on a rainy night. The dragon totes a lamp with it at all times and yet the street is dark. More important things we need to learn, about how much ghostly activity is involved with Elliot/Olio going in and through a piano, and later other people, don't seem given the clarity they needed.

That said, the story does manage to do a heck of a lot of what it intended, and even if this kind of redemptive mission, Scrooge-like journey, story can seem very, very predictable, there is a lot here that can only be enjoyable. It's a draft away from being outstanding, but it certainly proves to be a clever and engaging read, and definitely four stars.

What a super book. This story is the journey of Elliot and how he deals with his grief following the loss of his gran. He attempts to deal with his grief by shutting out the thing he enjoyed most with her - music. Enter Kimorin the dragon guardian, a mysterious train ticket and the adventure of a lifetime if Elliot is brave enough to take the chance. I loved the use of the train journey to mimic the journey through grief. The dragon guardian is at Elliot's side throughout to offer comfort and challenge as needed. The imagery in the book is gorgeous, especially the dragon with his sticky-out belly.

A friendly dragon. A magical train. A journey beyond your wildest dreams.

Not long after his grandma Ellen passes away, Elliott finds a strange ticket under his pillow. The night after, forgetting all about the ticket a small, well-dressed dragon appears in his room and asks for the tickets and so begins an adventure of a lifetime.


An exploration of loss, grief, love, and hope. Brooks writes a fantastic tale of how we deal with things and how sometimes you have to stop asking questions and listen to the music.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it onwards to friends with younger children.

What a lovely book for young readers who have been suffering bereavement, either personally or through a friend. The concept of the journey and highlighting the happy memories is something that needs to be done and the delightful dragon provides support and understanding.