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The Extra Ordinary Life of Henrey Dragon
Henrey Dragon is, in every sense, an ordinary dragon. He is average, unremarkable, and thoroughly middle-of-the-road. He does not shine at football, tennis, music, art, or much of anything else. While other young dragons discover their gifts and begin to stand apart, as Henrey’s brothers do, Henrey moves through life without any obvious talent to call his own. For his family, that absence feels disappointing. For Henrey, it is simply his reality. Then everything changes.
A near-tragic accident at sea suddenly thrusts Henrey into the spotlight. When a ship is in danger, he acts without hesitation and rescues those on board. Yet his heroic deed brings an unexpected twist. Rather than receiving recognition, Henrey is mistaken for the Loch Ness Monster. From that moment on, his future feels uncertain. Could this strange incident become the defining event of his life? And will it ultimately prove to be a blessing or a burden?
The Extra Ordinary Life of Henrey Dragon, written and illustrated by T. Thomas Seelig, is a children’s book filled with elaborate, colorful artwork. It is aimed at younger readers, especially children who are beginning to read independently.
Seelig’s illustrations are every bit as captivating as the story itself, and in many ways they steal the show. Bright, energetic, and richly detailed, they bring Henrey and his world vividly to life. The story is narrated by Benjamin Bixby, Henrey’s best friend, whose voice guides readers through Henrey’s life and introduces the circumstances leading up to the dragon’s unforgettable rescue.
Henrey’s struggle to find where he fits in will feel familiar to many young readers. The fear of not standing out, of not excelling, of not yet knowing what makes you special is a deeply relatable theme. Henrey’s rescue of the ship’s passengers gives that theme a fresh turn. Instead of immediate celebration, he faces a case of mistaken identity, which offers a memorable reminder that even good actions can lead to unexpected consequences.
In the end, this is a children’s book, and the story resolves in a reassuring way. Young readers are likely to enjoy returning to it, both for the adventure and for the lively illustrations. The book also offers an added learning element, with new vocabulary words highlighted in extra-large print, making the reading experience both entertaining and accessible.
Pages: 36 | ISBN : 1964012945
Tommy Turtle
Tommy Turtle is a young shy land turtle. He wants to play with the other turtles at the park, but fear keeps him inside his shell, away from the others. Tommy watches from his hiding place in a hollow tree stump as the others splash in mud puddles and has a good time. Soon another turtle named Jerry walks over and introduces himself to Tommy. He convinces Tommy to give playing in the puddles a try but takes him to a less crowded area of the park. There Tommy opens up and starts to play and have fun until another turtle comes over. Once more, Tommy hides in his shell till she convinces him she won’t make fun of him. Together, the three go on to meet other turtles in the park and play.
Authors Mary and Michael Schmidt have created a heartwarming picture book for children to understand what shyness is and how to treat their peers that are shy. The storyline is well thought-out, giving kids an accurate representation of what shyness is and what the child that is shy is thinking and feeling. In addition, it explains how to approach and encourage children that are sky to make new friends and try new things in a child-appropriate way.
Tommy Turtle is a wonderful resource for schools to use in the education of emotional empathy and social skill development. Teachers, especially in kindergarten, can use this story to help children become comfortable with new situations and people as they learn to be in a classroom together for the first time. The emphasis on self-esteem and acceptance of others blends into this engaging story, and children will want to see Tommy make new friends while understanding why it is so hard for him. This children’s book is a must-have for families and schools.
Pages: 33 | ASIN : B09XNTKRDQ
