EllRay Jakes the Dragon Slayer!
#4 of 9 in EllRay Jakes Series
What’s inside...
EllRay Jakes may be the smallest kid in his class at Oak Glen Primary School, but he’s also his sister Alfie’s big brother. When it appears that Alfie is being bullied by a girl at her school, EllRay feels responsible to help her stand up for herself. However, he soon realizes that handling little sisters and their problems can be more complicated than he anticipated. This book is part of the EllRay Jakes series, which includes 'EllRay Jakes Is Not A Chicken!', 'EllRay Jakes is a Rock Star!', and 'EllRay Jakes Walks the Plank!'.
Discussion points
What do you think made EllRay decide to stand up to the bully? How would you handle a similar situation?
EllRay tries to be brave like a dragon slayer. What does bravery mean to you?
How did EllRay’s friends support him throughout the story? Why is it important to have supportive friends?
In the book, EllRay learns from his mistakes. Can you think of a time when you learned something from a mistake?
How do the illustrations help enhance the story for you? Which illustration was your favorite and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in EllRay's shoes while discussing the key questions, fostering empathy and deeper understanding. Use praise to celebrate your child’s insights, making the discussion a confidence-building activity. Connect the story's themes to real-life experiences your child may face, enhancing the relevance of the conversation. Incorporate drawing or role-playing based on scenes from the book to make the conversation more interactive and engaging.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: EllRay Jakes navigates school dynamics and learns to understand different perspectives, especially when dealing with classmates.
Real-World Application: Children can apply empathy in their interactions with peers, fostering better relationships and reducing conflicts.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Throughout the story, EllRay is tasked with responsibilities at school that teach him about accountability.
Real-World Application: Kids learn the importance of fulfilling their duties, whether in their academics or in household chores, enhancing their reliability.
Example Lesson: Resilience and problem-solving
Explanation: EllRay faces various challenges and learns to address problems creatively, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to persist in solving problems they encounter rather than giving up, boosting their critical thinking skills.
Example Lesson: Honesty
Explanation: EllRay experiences the consequences of dishonesty and learns the value of truthfulness.
Real-World Application: Instills the importance of honesty in children, helping them build trust in their relationships.
Example Lesson: Courage to be oneself
Explanation: EllRay learns to embrace his unique qualities despite peer pressure.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to appreciate their individuality and express themselves authentically, enhancing their self-esteem.