The Boy Who Grew Dragons
#1 of 6 in The Boy Who Grew Dragons Series
on Goodreads (2,191)
What’s inside...
When Tomas discovers a strange old tree at the bottom of his grandad's garden, he doesn't think much of it. But he takes the funny fruit from the tree back into the house - and gets the shock and delight of his life when a tiny dragon hatches! The tree is a dragonfruit tree, and Tomas has got his very own dragon, Flicker. Tomas soon finds out that life with Flicker is great fun, but also very unpredictable. Yes, dragons are wonderful, but they also set fire to your toothbrush and leave your pants hanging from the TV aerial. Tomas has to learn how to look after Flicker - and quickly. And then something extraordinary happens - more dragonfruits appear on the tree. Tomas is officially growing dragons.
Discussion points
What would you do if you found a dragon fruit that could hatch a dragon?
How does Tomas change throughout the story, and what do you think caused those changes?
Which character would you want to be friends with and why?
What lessons do the dragons teach Tomas and his friends about responsibility and friendship?
If you could grow a magical creature, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine their own magical creature, discussing its traits and how they would care for it.
Use the book’s theme of growth and change to connect to your child’s personal experiences with trying new things or making new friends.
Discuss the importance of responsibility, using Tomas's actions and decisions as starting points for deeper conversation.
Highlight the dynamics of friendship within the story and relate them to your child’s interactions with their own friends.
Ask your child to draw or describe their favorite scene from the book, encouraging creative expression tied to the narrative.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The main character learns to take care of a dragon, which teaches him the importance of being responsible for another living being.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking on small tasks at home, like feeding a pet or helping with chores, to develop a sense of responsibility.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: As the protagonist navigates the complexities of life with a dragon, he learns to understand and share the feelings of another creature.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the importance of considering others' feelings and perspectives, enhancing their social interactions and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: Facing the challenges that come with growing dragons requires bravery, which the main character demonstrates throughout the book.
Real-World Application: Children learn that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. They can be encouraged to face their own fears and try new things.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The story celebrates imaginative solutions to problems, as the boy devises unique ways to accommodate the dragon in his life.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use their imagination to solve problems and think outside the box, which can be applied in both academic and social settings.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: The book shows how the boy's decisions affect not only himself but also those around him, illustrating the ripple effect of actions.
Real-World Application: This lesson reveals the importance of thinking things through and understanding that actions have consequences, which is an important aspect of decision-making in a child’s life.