Title: Dear Dragon
Author: Josh Funk
Illustrator: Rodolfo Montalvo
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 6, 2016
Genre/Format: Fiction/Picture Book
Synopsis:
George and Blaise are pen pals, and they write letters to each other about everything: their pets, birthdays, favorite sports, and science fair projects. There’s just one thing that the two friends don’t know: George is a human, while Blaise is a dragon! What will happen when these pen pals finally meet face-to-face?
Book Trailer:
Reading this book took me back to my days in elementary school when I had a pen pal that I would write too. It’s such an amazing experience to be able to exchange letters with someone via pen and paper. To hear what their world is like and how it’s different from yours.
In Dear Dragon, George and Blaise do just that. They are assigned as pen pals for the school year, but not just regular pen pals. Every letter has to rhyme. I loved the twist that Josh incorporates into Dear Dragon. Can you imagine being paired up with a dragon for a pen pal?
I read this book with my five and nine year old and it was such a fun read. They loved the rhymes as well as the letters between George and Blaise. After we read this book we took the time to discuss pen pals (since neither have ever had one), as well as how important letter writing and communication skills are. Basically we took this book and turned it into a lesson and the kids had tons of questions. Once the lesson was finished, they took the time to write a letter themselves. As I mentioned, they don’t have pen pals, so instead they wrote a letter to a family member. I mean, who doesn’t love receiving a surprise letter in the mail?
I’m pretty excited to have had the opportunity to speak to Josh Funk and ask him why he feels that letter writing is an important skill for kids to learn.
Josh on letter writing in a world filled with abbreviated texts and emojis:
I never had a pen pal as a child (or as an adult, for that matter). Maybe that’s partly what attracted me to write Dear Dragon. But I loved getting mail. I mean, who doesn’t? When someone takes the time to put a pen down on the page and draft a letter, address the envelope, and hand it off to the post – that shows so much caring. It’s heartfelt. It’s something that can’t be replicated with an email, text, or tweet.
In the age of emojis, it’s all about the information. Use as few characters as possible, shorten feelings into smiley faces, and transfer it instantly. This is great for getting your point across, but there’s no emotion involved.
But with a letter – especially a real handwritten letter – there’s a story to it. Feelings are poured in. Effort is deposited. The sender held that paper. The envelope traveled on cars, planes, boats, bikes, horseback, or some combination thereof. Think of how many people it took for that letter to arrive! How many hands must have carried it, taking care that those words reached you safely? It’s something you simply can’t take for granted.
Don’t get me wrong. I love technology. I’ve checked Twitter no less than 12 times since I started writing this post. But you can’t carry a tweet around with you like that pen pal’s letter in your pocket.
It’d be impossible to get a Snapchat message to a museum (within ten seconds), but check out the amazing collection of letters, many written by authors, at the Letters of Note website.
And how memorable is the started relationship or got engaged update on Facebook when every pair of people has the same one? It can’t compare with the handwritten notes I found in a box in my grandparents attic from when Julius began courting Pearl.
So it’s not just the skill of writing a letter (yes, it’s crucial to put in a date, address cordially, and sign off appropriately), but it’s the appreciation of what letter writing is that’s important. And it’s also nice to learn the fun you can have with good old-fashioned mail!
About the Author:
Josh Funk is the author of Dear Dragon (Viking/Penguin) and other picture books. Josh is a board member of The Writers’ Loft in Sherborn, MA and the co-coordinator of the 2016 and 2017 New England Regional SCBWI Conferences. Josh grew up in New England and studied Computer Science in school. Today, he still lives in New England and when not writing Java code or Python scripts, he drinks Java coffee and writes picture book manuscripts. Josh is terrible at writing bios, so please help fill in the blanks. Josh enjoys _______ during ________ and has always loved __________. He has played ____________ since age __ and his biggest fear in life is being eaten by a __________. Find out more at www.joshfunkbooks.com and on twitter @joshfunkbooks.
A thank you to Josh for taking the time to share his thoughts with us today.
Be sure to check out the other stops on the blog tour:
LibLaura5 – September 5
The Late Bloomer’s Book Blog – September 6
Teach Mentor Texts – September 7
As They Grow Up – September 8
Emily’s Reading Room – September 9
Reederama – September 10
