Don't Ask the Dragon
What’s inside...
Don't Ask the Dragon is a collection of powerful and moving poetry by Lemn Sissay, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning. The poems reflect Sissay's experiences as a black man in Britain and as a child in foster care, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit and the healing power of language. Additionally, Don’t Ask the Dragon is a beautifully illustrated picture book about Alem, a curious boy seeking a place to celebrate his birthday. Despite being warned against asking a dragon, Alem's adventure teaches him to question appearances and seek answers to grow. The story combines friendship, belonging, and overcoming fears, enhanced by a stimulating seek-and-find element.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the dragon feels when he is constantly being asked questions?
Why do you think the characters in the book keep asking the dragon for advice?
How would you help the dragon if you were one of the characters in the story?
What have you learned from the dragon about how to handle situations when you don’t know what to do?
Can you think of a time when you felt similar to the dragon and how you handled it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, validating their responses to foster a supportive environment.
Refer to specific scenes from the book to guide the discussion, making connections to the emotions and actions of the dragon and other characters.
Use the discussion to explore broader themes of wisdom, problem-solving, and the importance of asking for help, tying them back to real-life situations your child may encounter.
Pose hypothetical scenarios to your child where they could apply the lessons learned from the dragon, enhancing their critical thinking skills.
Highlight the values of patience and understanding both in the context of the book and in everyday life, encouraging your child to share and reflect on similar values they believe in.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of curiosity
Explanation: The story follows a young protagonist who asks various animals rather than the wise dragon, sparking a journey of discovery and learning.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore their surroundings and ask questions, fostering a love for learning and critical thinking in real-world situations.
Example Lesson: Value of perseverance
Explanation: Despite facing challenges and receiving incomplete answers, the protagonist continues the quest for knowledge without giving up.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the significance of persistence and resilience, applicable when dealing with academic challenges or learning new skills.
Example Lesson: Understanding diverse perspectives
Explanation: By interacting with different animals, the protagonist hears various viewpoints, highlighting the richness of diverse thoughts.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to appreciate multiple perspectives and promotes empathy, useful in social interactions and teamwork.
Example Lesson: Learning to solve problems creatively
Explanation: The protagonist must think creatively to approach the dragon and solve the quest.
Real-World Application: Instills a mindset of innovative thinking and problem-solving, beneficial in school projects and daily challenges.
Example Lesson: The power of self-reliance
Explanation: Ultimately, the protagonist learns the answer within, demonstrating self-discovery and reliance.
Real-World Application: Empowers children to trust their instincts and abilities, enhancing self-confidence and independence in personal decisions and actions.