Lego 31102: Dragon + Kids Books to Match

Lego sets like these, which have 3 sets of instructions, are such a wonderful gift. Kids will see different ways of using the same pieces and hopefully apply these techniques to their own spontaneous building. I also love to see some unique pieces in lego sets, and the pieces fo the wings are very cool.

This dragon looks fairly angry and mean, but not all dragons are. I’ve listed some dragon-y books below which you could pair with this set for a wonderful kids’ present.

Where is the Dragon?, by Leo Timmers

I think I can find just about any excuse to gift a Leo Timmer book or blog about his books. This picture book has been loved by every kid I’ve read it to. The premise is creatively simple. At the king’s behest, three knights go out to find and fight a dragon, but their limited light means the shadows of the night trick them.

Despite this book being set in the dark of night, there is so much richness to the colour in the illustrations. There are deep blues and encompassing blacks, but all that sets a wonderful backdrop to the lit-up portions of the pictures. This is a masterpiece for the 2-7-year-old age range.

Zog and Zog and the Flying Doctors, by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

These have been staples in our home library for a number of years. Zog is determined to win a golden star and continues to practice everything Madam Dragon teaches. To become a real dragon, he needs to capture a princess. Princess Pearl is kind and capable

Jill and Dragon, by Leslie Barnes

The illustrations of this book are so unique, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this style in a children’s book before. Dragon doesn’t fit in, but Jill is willing to help. Jill shows Dragon about fashion and flower arranging, but these aren’t a good fit. Surely there is something Dragon can do to be of value.

How To Train Your Dragon series, by Cressida Cowell

We watched the movies before we came across the books, which I’m not sure was the right way to do things. I was a little put off by how very different they are, but it didn’t worry Jude at all. He’s gone through the series a few times. It’s probably time I choose the first one as a family read-aloud to see if anyone else could get hooked on them.

The really great thing about a set like this is that if they love the first one, there are hours of reading promised as they work their way through the set.