Review by Camille Alexa: Like every Folkmanis puppet I’ve so far seen, the Baby Dragon Puppet is a marvel of workmanship for the price: carefully stitched seams, articulated wings, darts along the inside of the limbs and belly to allow for movement and keep shape. The tag tells us it’s made in China, so we know who to thank.

I’m struck by how utterly soft this little plushie is — eminently suitable for a baby dragon if not for its parent. And like a baby, this little guy has a teensy pot belly, rounded and cute, filled with just enough stuffing to give him some heft without making him feel bulky or awkward; just the right amount of stuffing to invite you to go ahead and slide him on like a puffy green glove, give him a try.

Inside is considerably less soft, no fur — probably wise to line with moisture-wicking material where the grubby mitts go. The tail, too, is stuffed to perfection, not too much nor too little, so it curves up and away, retaining life of its own while the puppet is occupied. The outer material, perhaps not aided by the choice of ‘gator green, is more reminiscent of mock croc than fireproof scales. If the mouth is a bit stiff compared to other puppets, the arms are a nice fit for the fingers, in keeping with the excellent planning and design of the puppet’s stitching and stuffing.

Most exciting discovery: Baby Dragon’s lovely deep nostrils — so perfectly detailed, lined in soft rose to match the interior of his dragony mouth — go all the way through from one side to the other. This is not some lapse in construction, but a planned detail! I imagine staging a play with Baby Dragon, imagine making my own flames out of something stiff and colorful, like construction paper or crinkly tissue, or maybe something soft, like fluttering red silk. How cool would THAT be when you turned on the fan? Fire away!

Huh. Guess it brought out the kid in me. A success, then, yes?

Camille Alexa shares her Edwardian home in the Pacific Northwest with an array of fossils, dried willow branches, pressed flowers, and other very pretty dead things. Her first book, PUSH OF THE SKY, earned a starred review in Publishers Weekly and was a finalist for the Endeavour Award. She likes her humor dark and her horror funny, and can be found on twitter @camillealexa or on LiveJournal as camillealexa.