The friendly red dragon's expressions are hilarious whether he is joyfully flying a kite, gobbling sandwiches, or has his snout wrapped in a towel to smother his smoke. Readers will enjoy pointing out what could be real-life explanations for everything the boy attributes to it. This story of a runaway imagination will make for an entertaining storytime as well as an enjoyable one-on-one read. - School Library Journal (Sept 1, 2011)
McWilliam's wonderful cartoony art enhances the story and the relationships, as Moore deftly balances wild fantasy and familiar family conflict. - San Francisco Chronicle (US) July 31, 2011
Moore has a light, sure touch, and she gives McWilliam (I Need My Monster) plenty of room to exercise his considerable gifts for operatic expressiveness and expertly choreographed physical humor. - Publishers Weekly (March 14, 2011)
The deadpan text is sure to illicit giggles as it captures the conundrum of an imaginary friend with a child's eye and provides a gentle acceptance of the mild misbehavior that sometimes accompanies imaginative play. - Kirkus Reviews (April 1, 2011)
The author hits a perfect tone, showing great imagination, laugh-out-loud humor, and a real understanding of the boy's problem. Bright, active illustrations nearly jump off the page, supporting this whimsical romp with humorous detail. Kids (and grown-ups too) will love When a Dragon Moves In. - San Francisco Book Review May 11, 2011
I have just read When a dragon moves in book. It's about a boy and his family that go to the beach for a day out. The boy builds a perfect sandcastle its so good that a dragon moves in. The boy and his dragon have loads of fun on the beach and then the boy tries to tell his family about the dragon but they don't believe him, but then the dragon got into all sorts of mischief like spraying sand over the boys sister and eating her peanut butter sandwiches. In the end the boy kicks the dragon out of the castle and tells him to learn some manners, and says 'he will never build a perfect sandcastle again' but he did the next day. I would like a dragon to live in my sandcastle because it would be fun, but I wouldn't want him to eat my sandwiches. My little brother even enjoyed this book and kept going 'RAAR' every time he saw the dragon. - Reviewed by Madison (Age 7) on whatsgoodtodo.com November 2011
[A] funny and creative riff on cause and effect. . . . Colorful, cartoony illustrations brim with humor . . . deadpan text is sure to illicit giggles. . . . A sandy complement to If You Give a Mouse a Cookie . -- Kirkus (April 11, 2011)
The delightfully humorous fantasy introduces the enthusiastic sand architect and the happy, fire-belching dragon on the jacket. . . . The cartoony scenes contrast the usual activities of the family with the imaginary but plausible behavior of the playful dragon. -- Children's Literature (May 8, 2011)
The multimedia illustrations overflow with humorous details and comical expressions and poses. . . . True to its circular format, this book is likely to be read over and over again. -- Bayviews magazine (May 1, 2011)
Warmly caricatured people, cinematic pacing, and gleaming pages give this a look that is just short of animation itself. This is a crowd-pleasing merger of sly text and pictures that will tickle many a funny bone. Highly recommended. -- Library Media Connection (October 2011)
This cumulative tale reminiscent of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie tells of a small boy who believes if you build the perfect sandcastle a dragon will move in, and so he does. . . . The illustrations are . . . large, colorful and full of life. This is a great book for sharing with a group or as a jump start to a writing activity with an older audience. -- Puget Sound Council
This is a really cute book that allows readers to question imagination vs. reality . . . . The illustrations are stellar and I think the cover appeal alone will see this book highly circulated. Stephanie, kissthebook.blogspot.co.il
When a Dragon Moves In was included on Brightly's list of Best Dragon Books for Kids. https://www.readbrightly.com/best-dragon-books-for-kids/?fbclid=IwAR2XO6Ln1GwZcaYYOfqPwAlCrcaIZPMZxu72slhAhBcshC4cAze_zrdqxlo
