A Friend for Dragon: An Acorn Book (Dragon #1): Volume 1

In this story the dragon treats an apple like a friend and becomes concerned when it starts looking worse over time. Dragon asks "Are you sick? are you hurt? are you dead?" and when the apple doesn't answer it says, Dragon "dug a hole and put his friend into the hole and covered it with dirt." Then he was very sad and did not want to eat and could not get out of bed, and did not want to leave his house for a long time. He slowly starts to feel better. At the end he goes to the spot where he buried his "friend" and looks up and there is a tree filled with apples. Kind of strange/morbid for a kids story. BTW, this same author wrote the Dogman and Captain Underpants books which are way weirder and feature bullying and gross jokes. 🙄

The Dragon series is always a favorite in my 1st grade classroom. I can't keep enough in the book basket, so I try to stock up on them as often as I can. Dragon will make you laugh. He will also make you feel empathy & compassion for him. Great books for 6-8 year olds.

I loved reading this book. The pictures are delightful and the story contains a good message. The author shows Dragon to be of good character and caring although a little naive. I found him to be quite funny. I read this book over and over. It led to reading other stories by the same author with the same main character, Dragon. Children will have you read it to them over and over again. I began reading them to practice my spanish but ended up reading them because they are so enjoyable.

My sons loved Captain Underpants, so when I saw this book I grabbed it for my 4 year old, who is beginning to recognize words. He loves this book, and especially that it is a chapter book. It makes him feel grown up, like his brother. But, it is an easy reader and a superb picture book at the same time. After having heard it read to him a few times, he read it to me last night! We've read Dragon's Fat Cat also, and it too is a winner.

Dragon is lonely and no one will play with him. Then a snake plays a trick on him and talks for an apple, "Hi, I'll be your friend." He takes the apple home, prepares food for him, never suspecting that he can't really talk. (Dragon is sweet, but not too bright) Finally, he does become worried and takes apple to the doctor where apples health suddenly worsens. He realizes that apple is dead, grieves until he meets lots of new friends. My 4 & 6 love this story.

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.