A super fun book It did a good job explaining how fairy tales may be outdated now, but back when they were written, they aligned with the way people thought. It also explained very well that even though these tales may be outdated, we can't go changing everything to our liking. The illustrations were adorable and that dragon was my favorite.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

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What a Wild Story, Minimoni! was such a delightful book! When the children choose the story of Saint George and the dragon for their school play, the girls wonder why they need a boy to save them. Even the friendly dragon feels he’s been given a bad reputation. Their trip to the library shows them that a classic story can be retold in many different ways.

I loved that the children put on the play as written, then imagined how they might tell it today. Perhaps Little Red Riding Hood would wear a green cape because green is her favorite color. And perhaps people wouldn’t fall in love and get married after knowing each other for only five minutes! It’s a playful way to invite children to think about the stories they hear and make room for their own ideas.

The illustrations are colorful, whimsical, and absolutely wonderful. I loved the entire book and highly recommend it!

I was blessed to receive an advance review copy. My opinions are my own and unbiased.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
This was such an imaginative and cute story, I could see myself absolutely loving this book as a kid. Perfect for everyone with a big imagination, people who love theatre or class plays (or remember them from when you were younger!), and those who always ask questions like "what about...?" The children are very smart, very curious, and have many questions. As always, Minimoni is a wonderful character who raises objections of their own!
A very sweet and short read sure to become a favorite.

That was delightful! I love the story-in-a-story structure (students performing a play) and the illustrations were adorable. The publisher recommended age range is 3-6, but personally I’d move the lower age up to 4 or 5 depending on the individual child. The author/illustrator, Rocio Bonilla, did a great job of adding in the modern commentary and acknowledging our changing views in a way that was both humorous and accessible to the age group. It's a wee bit scary, but in a way that is age-appropriate and exciting for early elementary kids.

The illustrations and typeface change a bit in style to help differentiate between the present day production of the play and the play itself. Both styles are charming and fit their story elements well. I think this is a great book for its own sake and to facilitate conversations with older children about how culture and storytelling has changed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Albatros Media for providing me with an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

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What a Wild Story, Minimoni! was such a delightful surprise.

What begins as a playful retelling of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon quickly becomes a thoughtful conversation about how we engage with classic stories. Rather than arguing that old stories should be rewritten—or that they should never be questioned—the book encourages children to understand historical context, think critically, and appreciate that new interpretations can exist alongside the originals.

I especially appreciated the balance. The librarian never dismisses the children’s concerns about the story, but she also doesn’t dismiss the classic itself. Instead, she explains that stories reflect the time in which they were written and encourages curiosity rather than prescribing a single “right” answer. It’s a remarkably nuanced message for a picture book.

The illustrations are absolutely wonderful. Oliver the dragon quickly steals the show, and the pages are filled with expressive characters, visual humor, and delightful background details. From Oliver carrying his tiny umbrella to the hilarious school play complete with ketchup standing in for blood, the artwork expands the story rather than simply illustrating the text.

While the publisher recommends this for ages 3–6, I think children closer to 5–9 will get the most from its thoughtful conversations about storytelling, history, and perspective. Younger readers will certainly enjoy the humor and illustrations, but older children will likely connect more deeply with the underlying ideas.

This is the kind of picture book that invites discussion long after the final page. I would happily recommend it to families, teachers, librarians, and anyone who enjoys fractured fairy tales that encourage curiosity instead of simple answers.