Friday, March 9, 2012

Perfect Picture Book Fridays - Who Wants a Dragon?



This review is part of Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book series. Visit her site to see the other books recommended. 



Title: Who Wants a Dragon?

Author: James Mayhew


Illustrator: Lindsey Gardiner


Publisher: Orchard Books October 1st 2004

Suitable for ages: Pre-K - 3 Grade

Themes: Humor, Fantasy, Feelings & Emotions 

Opening Sentences:

Who wants a dragon?

All fiery and bright?

A lost baby dragon,

Alone in the night?


Why I like this book:

    Who Wants a Dragon is fun and easy to read out loud to your little ones. It has big colorful pictures done in pastels. The baby dragon is polka dotted with patches and just plain adorable. I also like that book is done in rhyme using under two hundreds words, great for those early readers.

Synopsis:

Taken directly from School Library Journal-

PreSchool-Grade 1– “A lost baby dragon searches through a castle for someone to love him. However, everyone he meets–a witch, a knight, a princess, a king and queen, and a fairy–runs away in fear. The exuberant illustrations show the rosy-pink, polka-dotted creature frowning as he is rejected again and again. Finally, his mother appears to "cuddle him, and kiss him, and help him sleep tight." The rhyming text is soothingly predictable and the repeated refrain of "Who wants a dragon?" will help young listeners focus on the story...” Reviewed by James K. Irwin, Nichols Library, Naperville, IL

Resources

1) Illustrator site: Lindsey Gardiner has coloring sheets for her books-http://books.lindseygardiner.com/fun_stuff/

2) Lesson Plan from the Bright Hub website: Melissa Elizondo writes, “Students will love decorating their own dragons.” http://www.brighthub.com/education/early-childhood/articles/56852.aspx 

Materials you'll need for this project-

•Blue construction paper—one per student
•Dragon outline (big and small)—two per student
•Paint
•Paintbrushes (optional)
•Scissors
•Glue sticks
•Crayons/markers


3) Get crafty with Activity Village’s website: Make your own an egg carton dragon- http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/egg_box_chinese_dragon.htm



4) Author James Mayhew's website: http://jamesmayhew-katiespictureshow.blogspot.com/
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34 comments:

  1. Susanna Leonard Hill3/9/12, 7:39 AM

    Oh, this book looks SO CUTE! And I love your activities! Thanks so much for sharing this one - we seem to have a few this week for the younger PB crowd - it's nice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown3/9/12, 2:30 PM

      Yeah, I noticed a few younger ones. Thanks for your kind words Susanna

      Delete
  2. Jenny S. Morris3/9/12, 11:18 AM

    My latest WIP has dragons. I am totally making the egg carton dragon with my kids, they will love it. Thanks for the books suggestions.

    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown3/9/12, 2:31 PM

      Do you, how neat?! Have fun making your egg carton dragon and have a wonderful weekend :)

      Delete
  3. Emily R. King3/9/12, 11:54 AM

    I haven't read this yet. We're going to the library today. I'll have to check it out (literally). Thanks, Jennifer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown3/9/12, 2:32 PM

      You're welcome, hope you enjoye your library visit:0)

      Delete
  4. Eric VanRaepenbusch3/9/12, 1:08 PM

    This certainly sounds like a great book for little ones! I like that egg carton dragon activity too! Thanks for the review Jennifer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown3/9/12, 2:33 PM

      Oh good, glad you do Eric! Thanks for your visit :)

      Delete
  5. Joanna3/9/12, 1:22 PM

    Oh, I am so worried now what happens to that poor baby dragon? Great activity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown3/9/12, 2:33 PM

      I feel bad for that poor baby dragon too, but all ends well. :) Thanks for stopping by Joanna

      Delete
  6. Patricia T.3/9/12, 1:24 PM

    Charming book Jennifer. I love the polka dotted dragon. Sounds perfect for our great granddaughter -- and don't count. Bold and colorfulis great for kids. Great review. Enjoyed your resources.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown3/9/12, 2:35 PM

      Thank you Patricia! My daughter who is five really enjoyed it. Have a wonderful weekend :)

      Delete
  7. Robyn Campbell3/9/12, 1:51 PM

    Awesome activity with a super book. The dragons have always help a special place in our hearts at this farm. (Six boys and one girl) :-) Love the cover. What a cool looking dragon. :-) Thanks for adding it to the list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown3/9/12, 2:37 PM

      Wow, that's a whole lotta boys! lol. Dragons are a favorite in our house too. :)

      Delete
  8. Stacy S. Jensen3/9/12, 2:58 PM

    My boy would like this one. Love the activities too. The egg carton one is adorable. Not sure ours would turn out like that, but we're willing to give it a dry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown3/9/12, 6:51 PM

      Thank you Stacy! Yeah, I think I'll try out the egg carton one soon. Maybe I'll take some pictures.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous3/9/12, 4:14 PM

    Wow, that egg carton Chinese dragon is something else. This books looks fun, and the illustrations are adorable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown3/9/12, 6:52 PM

      Thanks Kirsten! So glad you stopped by :)

      Delete
  10. Heather3/9/12, 9:39 PM

    This book sounds so sweet! I love dragons :) Great activities, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous3/10/12, 7:34 AM

    This is a GREAT book! Your activities look really fun especially the egg carton dragon. The baby dragon is so cute :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown3/10/12, 12:45 PM

      Thank you Erik! So glad you liked the review

      Delete
  12. Cheryl Velasquez3/10/12, 9:59 AM

    Sounds like a fun book Jennifer. I love the activities.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Margaret G.3/10/12, 10:57 AM

    Looks cute -- and under 200 words! Very impressive. The activities look very fun -- my daughter has been wanting to do a craft with an egg carton -- this is yet another craft we'll have to do. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown3/10/12, 12:43 PM

      Have fun making the egg carton! So glad you stopped by

      Delete
  14. Penny Parker Klostermann3/10/12, 1:16 PM

    That egg carton dragon is just the cutest thing ever. I am forwarding the link to a friend who teaches 1st grade. I am definitely reading this book. Thanks for your review :•)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Amy D3/10/12, 4:17 PM

    All of your resources look amazing! And dragons are always a hit around here. Thanks for the recommendation!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous3/11/12, 4:39 AM

    What a cute book and lovely review, thankyou so much. Loved the pastel illustrations. Loved your resources and making the dragon..lol.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Tracy MacDonald3/11/12, 7:54 PM

    I love rhyming and dragons and that coloring page is great. This sounds like a really fun and sweet story. I'm adding it to my list!
    A2ZMommy and What’s In Between

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown3/12/12, 10:35 AM

      Thanks you Tracy for stopping by. Happy you like the review

      Delete

Love to hear what you have to say!

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