Customer Reviews

The Popcorn Dragon

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is one of my three-year-olds favorites! We borrowed it from the library and she liked it so much, we had to buy it. Dexter the dragon learns the consequences of showing off, but also learns what it means to have friends. You'll read this one over and over.

This book is about a little Dragon named Dexter and the day he realizes he can make clouds of smoke come out of his nose. When he sees his friend's, Dexter begins showing off. But soon Dexter becomes unbearable. First he watches his own reflection in the river in order to admire the smoke. Then he puffs it in the faces of his friends. His friends decide that they don't want to play with him anymore. Dexter becomes very sad and runs into the cornfield. He falls asleep there and when he wakes up, he is surrounded by popcorn... I liked this book for two reasons: the pictures and the moral behind the story. The author does a very good job of getting across the fact that nobody likes a show off. The illustrations in this book are very colorful and go along with the story very well. I think it is a great story to use to teach children a good lesson about friends.

Although the pictures are simplistic, the message in the book can be expanded in several ways. The dragon discovers what happens when you show off to your friends. He learns how to make friends again with the animlas by using his special talent- breathing hot air. Overall, The Popcorn Dragon is a light hearted book with a super message. It would be a great addition to any library.

I read this way back in 1st Grade, age 6. I would NOT give this book to a child because it has an unfair message. It teaches kdis that you should never display your special talents because that's "showing off" and it'll make people not like you. So in a nutshell, the lesson of the book is "when you show people what you can do, you're bad, and deserve ostracism".

I recieved this book as a childhood gift, over 15 years ago, and have loved it ever since! The characters are fun, and colors are nice, and most importantly, the message it sends to children is timeless: You have to be a friend to make friends. "The Popcorn Dragon" would be an excellent choice to give or read to any child, boy or girl, over the age of three. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Great book! Beautiful illustrations and a charming story! Kids will love it. Good time to make some popcorn too!

Every child loves to show off a new achievement, whether it is hopping on one foot, tumbling, or using new words. Every parent has been exasperated when the child's pride turns into bragging and becomes offensive. The dragon in Jane Thayer's book depicts these traits, and children can see how obnoxious the little dragon is and how he hurts his friends. When the dragon realizes that his friends no longer want to be around him, he finds a way to use his new talent and win back the affection of the other animals. The story provides opportunities for parents and children to talk about using abilities in a sharing manner.

While on a recent trip to our local toy store, my son, age 2 1/2, became fascinated by some dragon figurines located on a rack of knights/castle items. I thought it was cute, until I noticed that all the dragons looked mean or fierce and all the knights carried swords or other weapons -- not exactly the playthings I wanted for him. When I mentioned this to my daughter's preschool teacher, she recommended "The Popcorn Dragon" as a way to introduce dragons to our son in an age-appropriate manner. He LOVES this book. We were able to locate an unarmed, friendly dragon figure and he flies it around the room making imaginary popcorn for all my daugher's dolls! It's a cute story with colorful illustrations. We read it every night and highly recommend it!

When my kindergartener brought home her first library book I was thrilled to be the one to read it to her. I imagine the aim of this book is to teach kids to not show off. What it does instead is teach kids that if they have a special talent not only should they not enjoy it but envious kids that do not share the same ability are justified in using mean words like , "We don't like him, do we" and "go away". BUT when the special ability can provide something desirable for the mean kids all of a sudden it's fine that the child excels at something. No wonder that "smart kids" have a hard time socially when kids are taught that being special is a bad thing unless they can appease their peers.

This is a fun wonderfully illustrated book that is innovative and teaches children about the importance of learning to get along with others.