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< Picture Books Library
Categories: Dentists & Dental Care, Friendship & Getting Along, Getting Dressed, Kindness, Listening & Co-operating, Manners & Politeness, Tidiness & Helping Out, Washing & Good Hygiene

When a Dragon Comes to Stay

This lovely picture book promotes positive behaviour, but also gently suggests that even the most good-mannered and co-operative amongst us may struggle to be 'good' sometimes. A great starting point for a conversation about manners, treating others well and sharing.
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When a Dragon Comes to Stay by Caryl Hart

Author: Caryl Hart
Illustrator: Rosalind Beardshaw
Publisher: Nosy Crow

If the dragon in the story is anything to go by, mythical beasts make excellent house guests. Instead of snatching toys, she shares and plays co-operatively. She has good table manners and eats her lettuce, helps with the washing up and bathes willingly. She cleans her teeth and goes to bed without drama. BUT, if she’s ‘overtired or sad, that’s when a dragon might turn bad’. The story concludes with some advice for the reader: dragons need love and patience to help them through the difficult times (the children are illustrated supporting the dragon with loving hugs and bedtime stories).

A playful and good-humoured picture book with gorgeous illustrations by Rosalind Beardshaw, the story serves as a reminder for us grown ups to have realistic expectations when it comes to the behaviour of children!

This video link is provided to help an adult assess the book's suitability for a child's situation before purchasing it. It has been filmed by a third party and hosted on YouTube and is not made by Little Parachutes. More info

The messages we found in this book:

Acknowledgement:

  • Nobody is perfect! Dragons , just like humans, can ‘turn bad’ when they’re overtired or sad. The dragon in the story has a very loud snore which keeps the children awake – there is a subtle suggestion that we should accept each other, faults and quirks and all (“She is a dragon after all”). 

Guidance:

  • We all need love, comfort and support when we’re feeling bad.
Review by: Claire Ward-Dutton

Categories: Dentists & Dental Care, Friendship & Getting Along, Getting Dressed, Kindness, Listening & Co-operating, Manners & Politeness, Tidiness & Helping Out, Washing & Good Hygiene
Tags: behaviour, co-operation, eating, rudeness, sharing, stubbornness, table manners



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What is a Parachute Book?

A challenging experience can make a young child feel as if they are in emotional free fall. As a parent, you can’t stop them falling, but you can offer them a softer landing:
a Parachute Book.

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The information provided on the Little Parachutes website is not a substitute for professional care by a qualified practitioner, and is not intended to provide medical advice. If you are concerned about the health and wellbeing of yourself or children in your care, you should always consult an appropriate healthcare professional.