The Dragon's Egg
on Goodreads (15)
What’s inside...
George uncovered a dragon at the bottom of his garden, the dragon's name was Sniffy and he was recovering from a cold. George listens to Sniffy's stories as he is drawn into a magical world of wicked, weak, greedy and gentle dragons. This is a collection of interlinked dragon stories. George and Sniffy the dragon become firm friends as the gentle dragon recovers from a dreadful cold to recount some of the most amazing dragon stories of past and present.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
240 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the dragon's egg symbolizes in the story?
How did the characters' feelings about the dragon's egg change throughout the book?
If you found a dragon's egg, what would you do and why?
What can we learn from the way the characters worked together?
How do you think the story would change if the dragon's egg was never found?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story and consider what they would do in similar situations.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and ask your child to give examples from their own experience where working with others helped them.
After reading the book, engage in a creative activity like drawing what they imagine the dragon's egg and the dragon look like.
Use the story as an opportunity to discuss handling unexpected responsibilities and the importance of care and compassion towards others.
Pose hypothetical questions to help your child think critically about the story's themes and relate them to their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'The Dragon's Egg,' the main character learns the importance of responsibility when they take care of a mysterious egg, which later hatches into a dragon.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking on small chores or caring for a pet, learning that their actions directly impact others and their surroundings.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: The journey to protect the dragon's egg requires courage, teaching children that bravery is not the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome it.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children face new challenges at school or in social situations, understanding that it's okay to be scared as long as they don't let fear stop them.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: As the protagonist interacts with others who help along the journey, the story highlights the value of friendship and collaboration.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to build strong relationships and value teamwork, aiding in social development and cooperation in group settings.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Caring for the dragon’s egg teaches the character to understand and share the feelings of another, fostering empathy through their actions.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be considerate and understand the perspectives of their peers, which is vital in developing interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: The protagonist's quest to learn more about the mysterious egg exemplifies the natural human trait of curiosity and the drive to seek knowledge.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to explore new subjects, ask questions, and delve into learning opportunities both in and outside of school.