Inspired by: The Trouble with Dragons - Week 1

In the book "The Trouble with Dragons," the front cover plays a crucial role in setting the stage for the story within. It serves as an invitation for readers to make inferences about the narrative and the characters' emotions. The cover illustration depicts a dragon and its friends, all exuding a sense of joy and contentment. The activity encourages children to explore these emotions further by asking them to articulate how they believe the dragon and other characters, such as the fox and polar bear, are feeling and to justify their thoughts. Additionally, children are prompted to list any other animals they can identify on the cover, engaging their observational skills and attention to detail.

The title of the book, "The Trouble with Dragons," suggests a theme of conflict or mischief, and the learning activity delves into this by discussing the dragon's personality. The dragon is described as friendly but somewhat unaware of the consequences of its actions, often causing unintended upset among the other animals. Children are asked to brainstorm ways in which the dragons might create trouble and to consider the impact of these actions on the other characters. This exploration extends to imagining parental guidance in response to the dragon's behavior and comparing this story to other dragon tales they may know. The activity concludes with an invitation to speculate on the setting of the story, encouraging children to use their imagination and draw upon their knowledge of dragon lore.