Volunteers needed in May!   Click here to sign up.
 Site Areas: 
  HOME  
  ABOUT US  
  FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS  
  HOW TO HELP  
  NEWS  
  READING CLUBS  
Printer-friendly version   

The Knight and The Dragon



Last updated Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Author: Tomie dePaola
Date of Publication: 1980
ISBN: 0399207074
Grade Level: Kindergarten    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Feb. 2010

Synopsis: What happens when a sheepish knight and a not-so-fierce dragon fight for the very first time? Well, it's no ordinary battle since the knight has to go to the castle library to learn about dragon-fighting and the dragon must dig through his ancestor's things to find out how to fight a knight! Spontaneity of line and feeling are backed by zesty colors and a jovial, tongue-in-cheek tone to which children can relateA top springtime choice. --Booklist

Note to readers:
•  Pages are storybooks—no words.
•  For these pages, have the kids make up their own stories from the pictures. Engage the kids with the pictures, talk about what is going on in each scene and have them guess what the knight and the dragon are saying.
•  Hear and see this book read aloud on YouTube

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Are dragon’s real?
•  What do they do?
•  What is a knight?
•  Do dragons and knights fight? Or are they friends?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Have you seen a library? Where? (at the school, in the neighborhood, downtown)
•  Have you seen a mobile library?
•  Do you make time to play? To read? To exercise?
•  How did the dragon and knight use their differences to help each other?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a dragon, knight and princess Valentine for your friends.
•  Make a lance out of construction paper.
•  For the girls, make a cone hat out of construction paper. For each, roll the construction paper in the shape you need. Decorate the items with strips of paper.
•  Make a dragon mask from construction paper. Add strips of red/orange paper for the fire!
•  Have the kids act out the jousting scenes.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!