Georgie Grows a Dragon
on Goodreads (26)
What’s inside...
The brilliant third book from a rising star of the picture book world, tipped as 'one to watch' by The Bookseller magazine. Georgie is a keen gardener who can grow anything, until one morning she discovers she has grown a dragon! This dragon is bigger, grumpier, hungrier, and more troublesome than any of her other plants. As Georgie learns to keep him happy, she also seeks to find out where he came from. This colorful and surreal romp is packed with funny details that animal lovers and little gardeners will adore.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it would be like to have a dragon as a pet?
How did Georgie feel when the dragon first started growing, and how did his feelings change throughout the story?
Why do you think the dragon acted the way it did?
What would you have done if you were in Georgie’s place?
How did the characters in the book solve their problems? What can we learn from them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the characters to life, altering your voice for different characters to maintain your child's interest.
Pause at key moments in the story to ask your child how they think a character is feeling. This helps develop empathy and understanding.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their version of a dragon and describe its unique traits, linking back to the dragon in the story.
Discuss the idea of responsibility, relating it to how Georgie cared for his dragon, and draw parallels with responsibilities they have at home.
Focus on the resolution of conflicts within the story, prompting your child to think of times they have resolved conflicts themselves or how they could handle similar situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'Georgie Grows a Dragon,' Georgie learns to take care of a dragon, which teaches children about responsibility through nurturing and looking after someone else.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking on small responsibilities at home, such as feeding a pet or helping with chores, which fosters a sense of accountability and care.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The book showcases Georgie's creativity in managing unusual situations that arise from growing a dragon, sparking imagination in young readers.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to use their imagination to solve problems and create games, which aids in cognitive development and creative thinking.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Georgie faces various challenges while caring for the dragon, teaching children the importance of perseverance in overcoming obstacles.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the value of persisting through difficulties they encounter, whether in school or in personal endeavors.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The story highlights how Georgie learns to understand and cater to the dragon’s needs, emphasizing the role of empathy.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be more aware of the feelings and needs of others around them, improving their social interactions and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: As unexpected problems arise, Georgie must think quickly and creatively to solve them, which demonstrates effective problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and come up with solutions when they face challenges, be it at home, school, or in their interactions with friends.