Friend For Dragon [Hardcover]

Dav Pilkey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1991 | Age Level: 4 and up | Series: Dragon

Dragon becomes such close friends with an apple that he deeply mourns its loss and is overjoyed when more grow to take its place.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the first title of this new series, A Friend for Dragon, a snake plays a joke on gentle Dragon that is carried too far. Tricked into believing that an apple is his new friend, Dragon is brokenhearted when a hungry walrus eats it. He buries the apple core, and eventually the seeds sprout and grow into a tree that bears a new apple. Dragon Gets By is a lighter, comical tale in which the beguiling blue creature wakes up groggy and does everything wrong. "First he read an egg and fried the morning newspaper." He sweeps his dirt floor so diligently that he accidentally digs himself a basement, then he has a zany adventure at the grocery store. Children will laugh at Dragon's antics while enjoying Pilkey's ( 'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving ) bright, inviting illustrations. Each episode constitutes a chapter; beginning readers will take pride in being able to read a chapter book independently. With his excellent vocabulary choices and crafty characterizations--small squiggles carry large meanings--Pilkey has created a positively precious prehistoric prototype. Ages 6-8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

"Considered one of the most popular contemporary authors for readers in elementary school, (Dav Pilkey) is also regarded as a talented artist and inventive humorist as well as a subtle moralist. ...He underscores his works--even at their most outrageous--with a philosophy that emphasizes friendship, tolerance, and generosity and celebrates the triumph of the good-hearted."
-The Educational Book & Media Association

Dav Pilkey is the Caldecott Honor Award-winning creator of more than 40 books for children. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 46 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (March 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531059340
• ISBN-13: 978-0531059340
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,004,310 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"Considered one of the most popular contemporary authors for readers in elementary school, (Dav Pilkey) is also regarded as a talented artist and inventive humorist as well as a subtle moralist. ...He underscores his works--even at their most outrageous--with a philosophy that emphasizes friendship, tolerance, and generosity and celebrates the triumph of the good-hearted."

-The Educational Book & Media Association

Dav Pilkey is the Caldecott Honor Award-winning author and illustrator of more than 40 books for children. Check out his award-winning website at www.Pilkey.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pilkey shows wonderful creativity and versatility., May 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Friend For Dragon (Dragons) (Paperback)

Most kids have been lonely at times, and can readily identify with Dragon when he quickly takes to his new friend. Pilkey also encourages kids to feel sympathetic to Dragon when things don't go his way. Combined with stunning artwork, at times reminiscent of Van Gogh, Pilkey's "Dragon Tales" offer a wonderful way for kids to explore feelings while enjoying a good, fun story. My kids (ages 5 and 6) love all of Dav Pilkey's books, including "Captain Underpants," but the "Dragon Tales" are among our favorites.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable! Dave Pilkey's best story!, August 29, 2002

By 

S. Brand "sandra807" (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Friend For Dragon (Dragons) (Paperback)

I know Dav Pilkey has written a lot of funny books which can make both kids and adults laugh, but I consider his Dragon series to be the best, and of those, A Friend for Dragon is tops! I have returned to this book many times to read to school children, and they are glued to the gullible dragon who falls for the trick that an apple is alive and can speak. We laugh as Dragon tries to communicate with his best friend, the apple, and worry when the apple is bitten into and finally dies. Dragon goes through a grieving process, but the story ends on an upbeat, optimistic tone, and we are all touched by the sweet humor and poignancy of this story. This is one of my all-time favorite children's books.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SWEET!, September 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: A Friend For Dragon (Dragons) (Paperback)

I bought this book because I was doing a unit on Friendship with my students. I loved this book as did my own children and students! It is a chapter book that can be read in one sitting. We were all touched by the fact that Dragon was looking for a friend. While the kids laughed at how he made friends with an apple, they learned for science the life cycle of an apple! I love the part where Dragon takes Apple to the Dr. and at the end of that part he took home a brown mushy thing. It is really a sweet book with great illustrations. I love all Dav Pilkey books! I highly recommend this book. I plan on getting others in this series!