James Mayhew’s Who Wants a Dragon, illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner introduces Little Learners to ‘a dragon all fiery and bright … a lost baby dragon, alone in the night.’
‘A dragon is much more fun than a cat!’ he tries to convince a witch in a hat. They soon realize dragons are not the best thing for the broom.
Next Baby Dragon asks the knight brave and bold, ‘how could he leave him outside in the cold?’
Poor knight, inside his helmet , ‘he’s certain the dragon will give him a bite!’
And so the tale continues, a sleepy princess, The King and his Queen, even the Fairy, until, at last
He finds someone ‘who’d cuddle a dragon, someone who’ll love him just right, SHE will cuddle him, and kiss him and help him sleep tight’
James Mayhew’s Who wants a Dragon, is another of the many just for fun books I often read to K1 Little Learners during the first weeks of the new school term. Lindsey Gardiner’s wonderful, whimsical illustrations charmed Little Learners and their teacher alike.
I especially like the unpretentious rhymes presented in each scenario. They are simple rhymes, but are important, too often Little Students do not always understand what rhyme means. Once that hurdle is conquered most Little learners begin to realize that words that rhyme can increase their reading speed and understanding too.
During the first readings I simply read the book, before it was placed into the basket to be one of the chosen for fun reading during DEAR reading time. Who Wants a Dragon was often the first chosen.
As the school term progressed and Little Learners became more confident and comfortable with listening and reading and enjoying I began working on the words that sound alike; rhyme.
Even when Little Learners do not yet understand what rhyme means, I rarely found a student who did not enjoy the rhymes.
I particularly like Who Wants a Dragon for the opportunities it presents for class discussion. What a lovely comforting notion for children of all who live in the world the one who is most likely to love, want and adore any of us, is our very own Mama. I have found children who feel loved, wanted and adored are much more comfortable, confident and able to progress in most situations.
Osage County First Grade loved Who Wants a Dragon, I am happy to recommend for the school, classroom, and public library. It is a nice book for gifting a child who may be hesitant to start their school career, it is a lovely book for students to gift their new class and teacher.
Available Amazon hardcover paperback, audio with cassette, accessory with book
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Reviewed by: MOLLY REVIEWS BOOKS molly martin
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http://www.AuthorsDen.com/mjhollingshead
35+ years classroom teacher
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AMAZON Author Biography Born in 1964, James Mayhew studied illustration at Maidstone College of Art, graduating in 1987 with first class honours. His first book for children Katie's Picture Show (Orchard Books) was published in 1989, beginning his million-selling series of books introducing the work of famous artists to children. There are now nine books about Katie, exploring artists from the Italian Renaissance to Post-Impressionism.
Lindsey Gardiner website Profile I have a WASPS studio at Meadowmill in Dundee which I share with my high-maintenance but lovable dogs, Lola and Yuki. I pretty much spend most of my life there apart from one day a week when I teach textiles at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art.
Although I write my own books, I also illustrate other people's stories which has been a successful venture for me. My book 'Doing the Animal Bop', written by Jan Ormerod, was short listed for the 'Early Years Awards' and my book 'Who Wants a Dragon' by James Mayhew was short listed for The Sheffield Book Prize.
