Leo and the Lightning Dragons by Gill White

Today I am thrilled to be part of this fantastic Blog Tour for Leo and the Lightning Dragons by Gill White.

Many thanks to Kelly at Love Books Group Tours, Fledgling Press and the author for a copy of the book, which I have reviewed honestly.

Please take a look at the Blog Tour Poster below to see all the lovely book bloggers who are taking part in this really important children’s book launch.

Blurb
Everybody in the kingdom is supporting the brave knight Leo in his battle against his fearsome dragons. They try lots of different things to help him defeat them but eventually Leo realises that the most important thing to do is to believe in himself. This beautifully illustrated book with a poignant and uplifting rhyming story encourages children to persevere and find strength in the face of adversity, even when it seems that nothing is working. Written by Gill White for her son Leo who suffers from Ohtahara Syndrome, an extremely rare form of epilepsy, and beautifully illustrated by Fife artist Gilli B, this story has been positively received by parents of children with complex needs, by care workers and medical staff and by parents of healthy young children who love the book simply as an adventure story. All royalties from the sale of this book will go to CHAS (Children’s Hospices across Scotland).  

 

My Review

My first impression of Leo and the Lightning Dragons was that it was a beautifully illustrated rhyming storybook about Knights and Dragons. On closer inspection, it becomes clear that the story is actually about a little boy with a rare form of epilepsy.

To both the sufferer and their loved ones, epilepsy is a scary condition, which is almost impossible to explain to a small child. The book uses rhyme, eye-catching pictures and sensory stories to explain what it is like to be epileptic. The back of the book explains how the lightning bolts and crackles can be demonstrated with the use of plasma balls and kitchen foil.

The royalties from the book are going to CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland) and a special mention should go out to Leo himself “the bravest knight of all”