A Sky Full of Dragons
#1 of 1 in The Wand Keepers Series
What’s inside...
Gr 3-7–Dr. Seuss meets Harry Potter in McDaniel’s latest book—a romp through a world that is both wild and weird, bubbling over with unexpected insights and charming details. Spella De-broom Cauldroneyes, an orphaned eight-year-old, lives with her aunt in the Hungry Snout Forest. She’s happy there, but she feels out of place. She isn’t a thread witch like her aunt, and her blue freckles set her apart even among magical folk. Everything gets worse when Aunt Cauldroneyes disappears, and Spella must search for answers at Dragon’s Knob, the school for wand keepers like herself. Across Spella’s journey, she encounters a thousand small delights—grumbling desks, miniature dragons, teachers with birds in their hats and marsh water in their shoes. She and her friends grapple with everything, from disability to the after-effects of climate change, but their lessons are always gentle and never didactic. Spella’s coterie of friends, from flying hats to mummified cats, provides an endearing support system for her as she navigates the highs and lows of leaving home for the first time.
Discussion points
What do you think it feels like to fly with dragons in the sky?
How would you help a scared dragon who's afraid of heights?
If you could have a dragon as a pet, what would you name it and why?
What lessons did the characters learn about friendship in the story?
How would you solve a problem if you were one of the characters in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story and ask how they might feel in similar situations.
Use expressive gestures or voices to mimic characters and scenarios, making the story more vivid and engaging.
Relate themes or challenges in the book to your child’s personal experiences to deepen their connection and understanding.
Ask follow-up questions to encourage deeper thinking or to clarify your child’s thoughts and feelings about the story.
Praise your child’s responses and insights to boost their confidence and encourage a love for reading and discussion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: The story showcases how dragons and humans work together to solve problems they encounter, emphasizing the value of cooperation and teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in collaborative activities at school or during play, learning to value and respect others' contributions.
Example Lesson: Courage in Face of Adversity
Explanation: Characters in the book confront challenges and fears bravely, teaching children the importance of courage and resilience.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to face their own fears, whether it's trying new activities, standing up for themselves or tackling difficult tasks.
Example Lesson: Importance of Understanding and Tolerance
Explanation: As humans and dragons come to understand each other's worlds, the story promotes themes of empathy and acceptance.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of embracing differences and understanding others, which is crucial in school and as they form diverse friendships.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The fantastical elements of dragons and their world foster a sense of wonder and stimulate children's imaginations.
Real-World Application: This can inspire creative thinking and problem-solving skills in real-life situations, encouraging children to think outside the box.
Example Lesson: Environmental Consciousness
Explanation: The narrative may include how the dragons’ habitat is affected by various factors, teaching children to be mindful about nature and the environment.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children develop a sense of responsibility towards nature, encouraging practices like recycling and conservation in their daily routines.