Member Reviews

I really enjoyed this book, and the artwork is beautiful. However, part of me worries a little about the beginning. The dragon wants to be helpful, but no one will let him help. The knight wants to learn on his own and runs away from the castle. The dragon tries to help but Jeffrey keeps saying no leave me alone. Baxter is dedicated. I love this sentiment and when I was a child you were taught to be kind and to offer help and that sometimes you had to offer friendship more than once. But in our modern society, where no means no this could be considered a harmful practice. So I like the book and maybe I’m reading too much into it, but there may be parents who object to it.

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I loved the illustrations in this book, it tied along with the story very well and made it so fun to read. This book was about a boy named Jeffrey who was learning to become a knight but kept getting upset with those around him who were trying to help. Baxter was a dragon that was very helpful but no one wanted to accept his help because he is a dragon and they are afraid. When Baxter offers to help Jeffrey and Jeffrey realizes he needs Baxters help, he accepts it. He then realizes sometimes it is good to get help from others and it is important to understand that this is okay. Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC. Here is my honest review.

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Jeffrey had big dreams and was determined to achieve them, but first, he needed to learn a few valuable lessons. Along with his friend Baxter, they forged ahead on a journey filled with delightful escapades. It is an educative and fun read.

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I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Baxter and Jeffrey is a fun picture book for children about a young boy named Jeffrey who is learning to be a knight but is frustrated from people trying to help him every step of the way. Baxter is a dragon who really wants to help everyone around him (and is an excelled helper), but all the animals are too scared of him to accept the help he tries to give. When the pair meet in the forest, Jeffrey has his favourite book with him - how to be a Knight but gets cross at Baxter trying to help him. When Jeffrey learns from the book that one step in becoming a Knight is kindness, he finally accepts Baxters' help and realises that learning things by yourself is important, but learning with others and accepting help is fun too.

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Adorable and Fun

My son has a great love for dragons, so I got this book to read to him at bedtime. He loved it! It has a great message about the importance of being kind and appreciating the kind helpfulness of others. The illustrations are so colorful and clever, too. They made the story even more delightful.

Thank you to Ariane and Todd Erickson and to NetGalley for the free advance reader's copy of Baxter and Jeffrey. I'm under no obligation to give a positive review, but I'm very happy that I can. It's a terrific book!

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Absolutely loved this! Great moral, beautiful illustration and fun characters. It reminded me of Pickle Chiffon Pie, one of my favorite childhood books!

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This is such a cute book. The best thing about it, in my opinion, is the beautiful and detailed illustrations. There is a lot of detail and vibrant colors. This would be a great bedtime book for a little boy. I know my son would have enjoyed it when he was young. This book's message is also wonderful - kindness, helpfulness, and friendship.

I appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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This book has stunning illustrations and a very sweet message. I highly recommend for young children.

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This was a sweet book about a very helpful dragon and a boy who wants to learn to be a knight. Baxter, the dragon, wants to help Jeffrey, the boy, become a knight, but Jeffrey does NOT want help! The lesson of this book is Be kind! Kindness makes the world a better place!
The illustrations were adorable. I absolutely loved Baxter!

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A very cute book about teamwork and kindness yielding better results than trying to go through life alone. Suitable for kids in Grade 1-2.

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What a lovely little read! 𝗕𝗔𝗫𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗝𝗘𝗙𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗬 are both looking for a purpose. Jeffrey wants to be a knight and Baxter wants to be helpful. Both end up getting what they wish for and become friends in the process. This book with its bright and engaging illustrations will appeal to young readers. A definite must have in any personal or classroom library.

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Fun art, but I didn't care for the story. Frankly, the main character was a jerk—rude to everyone around him, with no consequences for his actions. I'm just not a fan of anything that normalizes toxic relationships, especially for children who are still learning how to navigate the world and the people in it.

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Baxter and Jeffery

Written by Ariane and Todd Erickson
Illustrations by Gabriel San Martin

Baxter, the dragon want to make and help his friends in the forest, but they are scared of him and don’t want his help. Jeffery, a young boy in the castle, wants to become a knight all on his own with no help from anyone, even a dragon. Baxter continues to try and help Jeffery, but Jeffery gets mad at Baxter, until he needs his help. What will happen if Jeffery accepts Baxter’s help? Will Baxter ever make friends?

Although some of the sentences written in the book don’t flow as well as they should and seem choppy, the idea of making friends and accepting the help of others is a life lesson everyone should learn. The illustrations by Gabriel San Martin are cute, colorful and bring the story to life and really help with the comprehension of the story. Overall, a good book that I would recommend for a bedtime story.

Thanks to Ariane and Todd Erickson, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the Ebook ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Jeffrey lived in the castle and wanted to prepare to be a knight ALL BY HIMSELF. Baxter lives in the forest and wants to do kind things for everyone but they are afraid because he is a DRAGON. Can they learn that it is all more fun TOGETHER?
The illustrations by Gabriel San Martin are fun, brightly colorful, and delightful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to EVERYONE, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley. Thank you!
#NorseGaelBooks

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This book was a easy and fun read. I loved the illustrations that will engage any child. It is a good lesson to learn. You have a helpful dragon Baxter and all he wants to do is help. Unfortunately no one wants his help including Jeffery who wants to become a brave knight on his own. This is a very heartwarming story and it will appeal to all children.

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I loved the illustrations but felt that the story started out a little flat, started getting a little better, but then finished a little flat. I wish that the author had gone more into what it means to be kind, and how sometimes it's good to ask for help. I feel it was a little disjointed where things didn't click or connect well.

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Baxter and Jeffrey is an adorable picture book about a boy, who wants to be a knight, and a dragon, who wants to help his friends. The illustrations are adorable & definitely drew me in to this book.

The plot is simple & there were times that I wanted the characters to be fleshed out a little more, but I was never bored reading this book. It will be perfect for the kiddos! I loved that Jeffrey, the dragon, tried so hard to help his friends even when they weren't interested in his help.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ariane Erickson, and BooksGoSocial for the chance to read & review!

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A cute story about ambitions, dreams and friendship in a medieval-like setting. It's full of humour and adventure. The illustrations are fun and engaging, but I wasn't entirely sold on the style, especially the facial expressions. Anyway, it's a nice enough read!

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I loved the illustrations, the length of the book was perfect for my three year old son, and the story was sweet.

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‘Baxter and Jeffrey’ by Ariane and Todd Erickson is a delightful children's book that successfully balances simplicity with meaningful messaging. It’s an excellent read for young children, offering an engaging story complemented by charming illustrations.

Plot: ★★★★★
The plot of ‘Baxter and Jeffrey’ is very simple, which works perfectly for its target audience. The straightforward narrative is great for conveying its message without overwhelming young readers. This simplicity allows children to easily grasp the story’s themes and enjoy the book without confusion.

Characters: ★★★★★
The characters in this book are very cute and relatable for children. Baxter and Jeffrey are well-crafted, with endearing qualities that young readers can connect with. Their interactions and adventures provide both entertainment and gentle life lessons, making the characters memorable and lovable.

Illustrations: ★★★★★
The illustrations in ‘Baxter and Jeffrey’ are gorgeous. Each page is a visual delight, with vibrant and detailed artwork that brings the story to life. The illustrations perfectly complement the text, enhancing the overall reading experience and keeping children engaged.

Engagement: ★★★★★
This book is very engaging. The combination of a simple plot, relatable characters, and beautiful illustrations ensures that children will be captivated from start to finish. It’s a story that is likely to be requested again and again, making it a staple in any child’s collection.

Readability: ★★★★★
‘Baxter and Jeffrey’ has excellent read-aloud quality. The text flows smoothly, making it easy for parents or caregivers to read to children. The rhythm and language are well-suited for young listeners, ensuring that storytime is an enjoyable experience for both the reader and the audience.

Enjoyment: ★★★★☆
Overall, ‘Baxter and Jeffrey’ is a very enjoyable book. It captures the hearts and minds of children with its charming story and illustrations. While it might not be the most groundbreaking children's book, its simplicity and warmth make it a delightful read that young readers will love.

‘ Baxter and Jeffrey’ by Ariane and Todd Erickson is a highly recommended read for young children. Its simple plot, adorable characters, and beautiful illustrations make it a standout book that is sure to become a favourite in any child’s library.

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