Meet the Dragon Your Family Will Want to Read Again and Again

Why Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue Is One of Those Books Families Will Return To

There are books that kids enjoy once, and then there are books that become part of a family rhythm. Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue is squarely in that second category.

Created by Phoenix author Ellie Moss, this picture book — along with its companion coloring book Lickitypop Dreams — doesn’t just entertain little ones. It invites them (and their caregivers) into a world where imagination, kindness, and calm curiosity matter more than shouting, rushing, or saving the universe before bedtime.

Here’s why this one is worth putting on the shelf (and in the heart):

A Dragon Who Gets It

Dibs isn’t an average dragon. He isn’t fiery or ferocious or trying to prove anything. He’s thoughtful, gentle, and seeking connection — exactly the kinds of qualities many hope to reinforce with children.

When he meets Mooch, a marshmallow mole stuck in the sticky depths of Squishpuff Swamp, it’s not brute force that solves the problem. It’s empathy, creative thinking, and helping without being asked. That’s a lesson that sticks.

For parents, those are the moments they want children to internalize — in their own time, through play and story, not pressure or drills.

Beautiful Language That Builds Confidence

Anyone who has watched a toddler struggle with a new sound, then suddenly master it, knows how powerful language practice can be.

The rhythm and repetition in Dibs the Dragon make these moments feel fun, not forced. Playful alliteration and expressive words invite kids to try things out loud, giggle, repeat — and feel proud in the process. It’s reading that feels like a game.

Sweet, Soothing Illustrations

Many families know the drill: some picture books are lively and flashy. Others are chaotic and overstimulating.

Dibs the Dragon is different.

Soft pastel illustrations make this book a great choice for calm time, bedtime, or any time a peaceful read is needed. It doesn’t shout; it welcomes. For sensory-sensitive children (and adults who share their books), that matters.

Beyond the Story: Real Family Connection

Here’s where it gets even better: the Lickitypop Dreams coloring book — filled with scenes from the story — invites families to create together.

Whether a caregiver is coloring with a toddler at the kitchen table, setting up a quiet afternoon activity, or giving older siblings something collaborative to do, this isn’t just “a coloring book.” It’s a way to extend the story, spark conversations, and share creative time without screens or stress.

And for families who love to talk through stories as they read, Dibs the Dragon naturally leads into meaningful questions like:

“What would you do if you found a friend in trouble?”
“How would you help someone who’s stuck?”
“Why is kindness powerful?”

These arise organically — no parent coaching required.

A Book That Works for Many Moments

Bedtime? Perfect.
Quiet afternoon? Absolutely.
Homeschool reading time? You bet.
Road trip read? Soothing and engaging.
Library night? A favorite pick.

This book doesn’t rely on spectacle. It relies on connection — between characters, between readers, and between caregiver and child.

Why Moms Are Loving Lickitypop

Here’s what is already being heard from families:

Kids ask for it again and again
Even reluctant listeners stay engaged
It naturally encourages empathy, not just entertainment
Coloring together sparks intentional connection time
It feels calming, not hectic

It’s the kind of book families pull out not because they have to, but because children ask for it — and because the shared time is genuinely enjoyable.

Final Thoughts

Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue isn’t here to be the loudest story on the shelf. It’s here to be the one families reach for when they want: