Dear Dragon is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 550 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
"Dear Dragon" by Josh Funk is a heartwarming story about two pen pals who find unexpected friendship. The story follows George, a young boy from the city, and Blaise, a young dragon from a medieval village. Through their exchanged letters, they share details about their lives, families, and interests. What they don't realize is that George thinks Blaise is a human pen pal, while Blaise believes George is a fire-breathing dragon like him. As the school's pen pal day approaches, both George and Blaise become anxious about revealing their true identities. However, when they finally meet, they discover that friendship transcends differences and appearances. With vibrant illustrations and a touching message about acceptance, "Dear Dragon" celebrates the power of friendship and the joy of finding common ground.
 USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.
- Have students practice their questioning skills as you read the book.
- Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
- Read the book to students without showing the pictures. Encourage them to close their eyes and visualize the story. Discuss their visualization as a class.
- Identify how authors use time order words in their writing.
- Teach students a new suffix and give examples from the book.
- Teach students about the importance of having a growth mindset using examples from the book.
- Discuss the importance of kindness.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30Â writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.
- Same, Same but Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
- Dear Mrs. Larue: Letters from Obedience School by Mark Teague
- The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
- Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
- The Love Letter by Anika Aldamuy Denise
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
