Hello there! Today, we’re going to dive into a fun story called “When A Dragon Moves In.” It’s a tale about a boy, a sandcastle, and a very special dragon. Let’s see what happens when you use your imagination!
Imagine you’re at the beach, and you build the most amazing sandcastle ever. Guess what? A dragon decides to move in! This dragon is super cool. He can toast marshmallows, help you float on the water, and even fly a kite for you. And the best part? No one would dare mess with your sandcastle when a dragon is inside!
But having a dragon means you have to be sneaky. You need to hide his smoky breath from the lifeguard and cover up his footprints in the sand. When you tell your family about the dragon, they might not believe you. Your mom might think the dragon’s roar is just the ocean, and your dad might say the dragon’s feather is from a seagull. But you know the truth!
Your dragon loves to eat! He’ll munch on all the peanut butter sandwiches, even the ones for your sister. His fiery breath makes the lemonade bubble, and he sneaks brownies from the cooler. When your family sees the mess, they might not believe it’s the dragon. But you and your dragon know better!
Eventually, your dragon might get a little too mischievous. You might have to tell him to leave until he learns some manners. But don’t worry, you can always build another sandcastle tomorrow and invite him back!
This story is all about using your imagination. Even if others don’t see what you see, it’s important to believe in your dreams and ideas. Your imagination is a powerful thing, and it can take you on amazing adventures!
Thanks for joining our storytime! Remember, there are many more stories to explore. Keep reading and let your imagination soar!
Build Your Own Sandcastle: Next time you visit the beach or play in a sandbox, try building your own sandcastle. Imagine what kind of creature might move in. Is it a dragon, a unicorn, or maybe a friendly giant? Draw a picture of your sandcastle and the creature living inside. Share your drawing with your family and tell them all about your imaginary friend.
Dragon Footprints Hunt: Create your own dragon footprints using paper and crayons. Cut out the footprints and hide them around your house or yard. Invite your family or friends to go on a dragon hunt to find all the footprints. As you search, think about what other clues a dragon might leave behind and how you would explain them to someone who doesn’t believe in dragons.
Imagination Journal: Start an imagination journal where you can write or draw about your adventures with your dragon or other imaginary friends. What games do you play together? What new places do you explore? Share your journal entries with your classmates and see what exciting adventures they have imagined too!
Welcome to Storyline Online, brought to you by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. My name is Mark Duplass, and today we will be reading the wonderful book “When A Dragon Moves In,” written by Jody Moore and illustrated by Howard McWilliam.
If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in. He’ll settle in all cozy and peek at you from inside, and you’ll wonder how you ever got so lucky. With a dragon in your castle, you’ll have a built-in marshmallow toaster, your very own raft, and a kite that practically flies by itself. Best of all, no beach bully would dare stomp your castle with a dragon inside.
Of course, there are rules on the beach, so you’ll have to hide his smoke from the lifeguard and erase the dragon prints from the sand. Eventually, you’ll want to share the great news with your family. “There’s a dragon in my castle,” you’ll call to your mom. “Mmmm…hmmm,” she’ll answer. “Listen to him roar,” you’ll say. “I hear the roar of the ocean,” she’ll reply. “See this feather from my dragon’s wing?” you’ll ask your dad. “That’s a nice seagull feather,” he’ll say. “And you know what feathers are good for.” “Feel my dragon’s sharp teeth!” you’ll shout. “Those are just broken shells,” your big sister will say. But you and your dragon will know better.
Just about then, your dragon will demand to be fed. First, he’ll eat all the peanut butter sandwiches, even the ones that were supposed to be for your sister. Then his fiery snout will make the lemonade sizzle. “Stop blowing bubbles in your drink,” your mom will say. “That wasn’t me,” you’ll answer. “That was the dragon.” And you’ll hear a chuckle from deep inside the sandcastle.
Finally, since dragons love dessert, he’ll sneak into the family cooler and nibble the brownies when no one is looking. “Whose fingerprints are in the brownies?” your dad will ask. “Not fingerprints,” you’ll try to explain. “Dragon prints.” “There’s no such thing as a dragon,” your sister will say. Then your dragon will snicker again and spray sand all over her. “Young man, I don’t think this is funny,” your mom will say. “That wasn’t me,” you’ll answer. “It was the dragon.” “I think we’ve had enough of this dragon business,” your dad will say. “I guess I’ve had enough of this dragon business too,” you’ll sigh.
Then you’ll march over to your sandcastle and order your dragon to leave until he learns some manners. And you will vow never to build a perfect sandcastle again. At least until tomorrow.
The end.
This book is about the power of imagination and the importance of those around you who may not always honor your imagination. The key takeaway is that no matter what others say, if you believe it in your mind and can see it in your heart, you must hold on to it.
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