George and the Dragon: a wonderful dragon book

Dragons are wonderful for catching the imagination.

We read about Chinese dragons as part of our Lunar New Year fun, and expanded to books about dragons who breathe fire, fight with knights, kidnap princesses (or princes), live in Honalee, are lonely for friends or are afraid of mice.

Yup.  Afraid of mice. A fire-breathing, princess stealing, treasure hiding dragon, afraid of mice.


George and the Dragon
written and illustrated by Christ Wormell
published by Random House, 2006
fiction
amusing for children 3-7
themes: dragons, mice, fractured fairy tale setting

how the book begins
Far far  away in the high, high mountains in a deep, deep valley in a dark, dark cave ... there live a mighty dragon. 

story summary
Far, far away in the darkest cave in the deepest valley amongst the highest mountains there lives a huge and terrifying dragon. With his fiery breath and mighty strength, this awesome beast fears no man. But there is something he is afraid of? Enter George: he may not look like much of a hero, but a hero he turns out to be. (from the inside front cover)

why I love this book
The Independent called George and the Dragon "quirky and ebullient".  I agree.  I love how the dragon's fierceness is built up  - this is a dragon that should definitely not be messed with.  But he has a fatal flaw, an Achilles heel.  One with whiskers and a tail.  This flaw made my kidlets laugh.  A great big, fierce, fire breathing dragon afraid of something tiny wee.  Maybe it's not so bad to be small after all.  

resources
George and the Dragon is a story that begs to be acted out and retold.  Luckily, I had a castle, a dragon and a George.  


The kidlets added a princess.  Then a prince and a knight.  The director found a clipboard and became quite adept at calling "places" and "quiet on the set".  Everyone always lived happily ever after.

Dragons are great fun to draw.  

The kidlets and I did a directed drawing of a dragon, and then their creativity went wild.  They were sharing ideas, telling each other the story of their dragon, even complimenting each other's work.


One of our brilliant grade 1/2 teachers down the hall painted dragons with her kidlets.  It was wonderful to see the creativity and talent of some of my former kidlets.  


Some other dragon books that we know and love are





What are some of your favourite dragon books?




15 comments

  1. What a great post on Dragons!
    I have "Puff the Magic Dragon" at my Listening Center and the kids love it! I am definitely adding your books to my wish list!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Julie
    Ms. Marciniak's First Grade Critter Cafe
    Celebrate and Join my 100th Follower Ultimate Giveaway: Skype Author Visit!

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    1. We have been enjoying listening to Puff in the classroom too. The kids will be doing their thing, and will spontaneously join in with the chorus. It's quite delightful.

      sandi

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  2. You included my favourite - The Paper Bag Princess =)

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    2. I am sure that I read it to you - once or twice!!

      mum

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  3. Great minds and all that. http://1stinmaine.blogspot.com/2012/05/ppbf-george-and-dragon.html :) Check out my dragon unit from last year! http://1stinmaine.blogspot.com/2012/05/beholdthe-dragons.html and http://1stinmaine.blogspot.com/2012/05/dragons-rock.html

    Kimberley

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    1. Looking forward to checking out your dragon ideas. Thanks

      sandi

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  4. Very cute! We love The Sunflower Sword about a little boy who intends on warring with a dragon, but they end up becoming very good friends. http://www.marshmallowmudpie.com/2012/01/sunflower-sword.html

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    1. Thanks Melinda. I had not run across that book - will have to check it out.

      sandi

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  5. I love your props for retelling the story. My very first unit in my very first practicum a million years ago was a dragon theme. I can barely remember it now:) so it's good to get some great dragon ideas. I think I'll go check out Kimberley's suggestions, too!
    ❀Barbara❀
    Grade ONEderful
    Ruby Slippers Blog Designs

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    1. I have a K and S theme pack about dragons from many many years ago. I like the scope for the imagination that dragons present. The dragon stories the kids are telling and playing are amazing.

      sandi

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  6. This book looks really cute! I like that dragon on the cover. Thanks for all the cool ideas!

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  7. This sounds wonderful, Sandi! I will have to read it. I LOVE The Paper Bag Princess, and will have to look for a couple of the others you showed. Thanks for adding this one and the fun activities!

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  8. Funny, just read two others this past week - one illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, and another by Michael Foreman.

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  9. My class is fascinated with dragons this year. I'll have to check out your recommendation!
    Bobbie
    The Daily Cupcake…A Kindergarten Blog


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