Hello, everyone! I’m Ryan Legod, and I’m Craig Tovey. We’re so happy you’re here for Story Time with us. If you love stories, you can find more at ryanandcraig.com. Today, we’re reading a special book called “Drew the Lonely Dragon” by Tara Erickson, with pictures by Scott Grove.
Drew is a little dragon who feels very lonely. He used to have a mom who loved him a lot. She taught him how to fly and made yummy pancakes. But one day, she got sick and had to leave. Drew was very sad and stayed in bed for a long time.
One day, Drew remembered his mom saying that dragons are tough. So, he decided to get out of bed and try to make pancakes. But his fire was too strong, and he burned them! Then, he tried to fly, but he went too high and got lost in the clouds. He came crashing down in the middle of a town!
When Drew landed, the people in the town were scared and hid. Drew felt bad and started to cry. Just then, he heard a voice. It was Princess Katrina, and she wasn’t afraid of Drew at all. She told Drew that she missed her mom too and asked if they could go for a ride together.
Drew was excited! He flapped his wings, and they flew high in the sky. They sang songs together, and Drew felt happy. Even when he accidentally breathed fire, Katrina wasn’t scared. She was a true friend.
They landed near a lake where Katrina’s animal friends came to play. Ralphie Raccoon, one of the animals, wanted to ride on Drew’s back. But first, Drew needed to learn how to control his fire. Ralphie showed Drew a safe place to practice, called Ralphie’s Retreat.
Drew practiced his fire skills with his friends cheering him on. He learned to make perfect pancakes with just the right amount of fire. Everyone was so proud of him, and they all enjoyed a delicious breakfast together.
Princess Katrina invited Drew to live with her in her tower. She said his fire could help keep her safe. Drew was no longer lonely. He had friends and felt loved. Even though he still missed his mom, he knew she would be proud of him for being so brave.
Sometimes, when family isn’t around, friends can become like family. Drew learned that with the help of Princess Katrina and his new friends. Love and friendship can always be found, even when things seem tough.
We hope you enjoyed the story of “Drew the Lonely Dragon.” Remember, you’re never alone when you have friends by your side!
Dragon Pancake Party: Just like Drew learned to make pancakes, you can try making your own pretend pancakes! Use playdough or paper to create pancake shapes. Decorate them with colorful toppings like paper fruits or beads. Share your creations with your friends or family and talk about what makes each pancake special. How do you think Drew felt when he finally made the perfect pancakes?
Flying Adventure Map: Imagine you are Drew and create a map of your flying adventure. Draw the places you would like to visit, like a magical forest or a candy mountain. Use crayons or markers to add details and colors. Share your map with a friend and tell them about the exciting places you would explore together. What would you see and do in each place?
Friendship Circle: Gather with your classmates or family and sit in a circle. Take turns sharing a story about a time when a friend helped you feel better or when you helped a friend. Discuss how friendship can make tough times easier. What are some ways you can be a good friend like Princess Katrina was to Drew?
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any informal language and clarifying the content:
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[Music]
Hello, I’m Ryan Legod, and I’m Craig Tovey. Welcome to Story Time with Ryan Legod and Craig Tovey. Remember to visit ryanandcraig.com for 208 unique read-alouds, or you can send us a message.
I have something to say, Craig.
Did you forget what you were going to say?
Yes.
Okay, today’s book is “Drew the Lonely Dragon” by Tara Erickson, illustrated by Scott Grove.
Tara Erickson—why do I know that name?
I remember what I was going to say! Do you remember when Tara Erickson was on our show?
Yes, from “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.”
Yes, she wrote this book. She’s an author, and my cousin illustrated it. I helped edit the book and get it made.
You’re a creator and an editor!
Let’s get started.
“Drew the Lonely Dragon” by Tara Erickson, illustrated by Scott Grove.
[Music]
Drew the little dragon was all alone, but it wasn’t always just him. He once had a mom who loved him dearly, who helped him to fly and see things more clearly. She always made pancakes, which helped him grow, but one day she got sick and had to go.
It’s really sad when people have to go.
Yes, it makes me sad. I had a friend I didn’t see for a while, and I really missed him.
What was he like?
He was funny and had curly hair and a mustache.
Are you talking about me?
No, I’m talking about a different friend.
You don’t know him; he has long curly hair and a mustache?
Yes, it’s a weirdo.
It’s me!
No, it’s not you. I missed you, and you’re gone.
Drew stayed in bed for days on end.
What am I going to do now? Drew said. He remembered his mom saying dragons are tough, so he jumped out of bed and said, “That’s enough! Dragons are tough!”
He thought, “I’ll make pancakes,” but they came out all wrong; they were burned up because his flame was too strong.
Drew said, “You know what? I think I’ll go fly.” But before long, he was way too high up in the clouds. He got all turned around and yelled, “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” and came crashing down.
Uh-oh! Drew landed in the middle of town.
He quickly jumped up and looked around at cute dogs, bright flowers, and even a slide.
“Oh no!” yelled the people. “A dragon! Let’s hide!”
“I’m sorry,” said Drew. “I’ll be off in a flash!” But out shot his flame, turning a street lamp to ash.
That’s tough—you know when you crash land in the middle of town and burn up a street lamp.
Yes, I remember when I crash-landed, but I didn’t burn up a street lamp. I ended up living with a child and his little sister in their room and pretended to be their dolls.
Drew started to cry. “I never wanted to scare them,” he sighed. Then Drew the dragon hid under his wings.
“A hug from my mom would sure fix a few things.”
Drew heard a voice as he sat there dismayed.
“I’m Princess Katrina, and I’m not afraid.”
He looked up and saw a princess in the tower above, whose eyes were full of love.
“Dear dragon,” she said, “you look terribly sad. I miss my mom so much; it feels really bad.”
“I know what that’s like. Shall we go for a ride? If you fall, it’s okay; I’ll stay by your side.”
“Yay!” Drew said. “I’ll flap my wings and take flight.”
She jumped on his back, and they flew high as a kite.
“Wow, cool! I love taking flight. I wish I could fly on the back of a dragon or something like that.”
“Oh yes, when I first learned how to fly on my broom, it was such a good time.”
“Wouldn’t you mean like in a plane?”
“No, you can’t bring brooms on the plane; you’d have to check that.”
“When I fly on my broom, we play Quidditch. You see, I have my scar right here—it’s kind of like a lightning bolt.”
“Nobody knows who I am. Don’t say my name.”
“Harry Potter!”
“Oh yeah, you can say my name; I’m not evil.”
Drew and Katrina flew to the spot where Drew’s mom used to say, “Sing as loud as you want; go ahead, it’s okay.”
So they both started singing, and the princess did too.
“Hello clouds, hello world, hello sky so blue.”
As the small dragon sang out his last note, a great ball of fire came out of his throat.
“Forgive me,” he said. “I got carried away.”
Katrina replied, “I’m not scared; it’s okay.”
Then Drew got tired and needed a break, so they flew down and landed near a lake.
A bunch of furry animals ran up to play; they were friends with Katrina, who lived far away.
“We missed you, dear princess!” the fuzzy friends cheered. “And what a big dragon you brought!”
As they neared, Ralphie Raccoon, so brave and small, said, “Wow, can I ride him? I’m not scared at all!”
Drew smiled, and the princess did the same.
“Yes, but first he needs help controlling his flame.”
Then Ralphie Raccoon said, “I know of a tunnel in the back of a cave, so follow me there; it’s a safe place for fire. I call it Ralphie’s Retreat, where I often retire.”
“Ralphie’s Retreat? What a cave! That’s so cool!”
“I’ve always wanted to have a cave to hang out in.”
Drew practiced his flame as his friends cheered him on. They clapped and applauded from dusk until dawn.
He learned to fire a little and fire a lot; he learned to cook pancakes perfectly in one fiery shot.
All his friends voted, and he got a good grade. Then they all filled their tummies with the breakfast he made.
Drew said to Katrina and Ralphie, “Let’s fly!”
They jumped on his back and shot into the sky.
The princess said, “Now that your flame is perfected, come live with me and help keep me protected.”
“The tower?” he asked.
“I would love to come stay! Your fire can help chase the bad people away.”
Drew the dragon was happy and no longer alone. He had friends and became really well-known in town.
Though he still missed his mom and the hugs that she gave, he knew she’d be proud and would call him so brave.
With the princess beside him, he felt joy all around because even in loss, love can always be found.
That’s nice! I’m so happy for the dragon.
Yes, sometimes if you don’t have family around, your friends can become your family.
I know what that’s like.
Let me guess—you and your puppy friends got jobs with the city and patrol the city with your paws because you’re Paw Patrol?
Do you think I’m Paw Patrol?
No, I don’t.
Okay, you mean…
I know I’m just saying that’s what you’re probably going to say.
No, I’m going to talk about when I moved to New York in my early 20s.
Okay, and I moved into an apartment across from Rachel and Monica with my good friend Chandler. We were friends, but we were also family.
That’s the sitcom “Friends.”
Yes, so no one told you life was going to be this way.
[Music]
“Drew the Lonely Dragon” by Tara Erickson, illustrated by Scott Grove.
[Music]
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