A How to Train Your Dragon: A Journal for Heroes
How to Train Your Dragon Series
on Goodreads (68)
What’s inside...
This companion to the New York Times bestselling How to Train Your Dragon series is a must-have for all heroes! Within this journal, you'll find brave quotes from Viking hero and dragon-whisperer Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, rousing Viking songs, and jokes that Toothless thinks are very funny indeed. And don't miss the useful Dragonese phrases, scenes from your favorite How to Train Your Dragon adventures, and blank pages for you to fill with your own dragon doodles and heroic musings.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
176 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Hiccup Horrendous Haddock Iii
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make a good hero in the story?
How do the characters in the book face their fears, and what can we learn from them?
Can you relate to any of the characters' adventures? How would you handle their situations?
What does friendship mean to the characters, and why is it important?
How do the dragons and humans learn to trust each other, and what does that teach us about relationships?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story by relating it to their own experiences. Ask them to imagine themselves in the world of Vikings and dragons, and discuss what character they would be and why. Highlight the importance of courage, friendship, and understanding, emphasizing these values in both the story and real-life contexts.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage and overcoming fears
Explanation: Throughout the book, the protagonist faces numerous challenges which require bravery and stepping out of comfort zones.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own fears and challenges boldly, understanding that personal growth often comes from overcoming difficulties.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship and teamwork
Explanation: The book highlights how working together with friends can lead to accomplishing seemingly impossible tasks.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to value teamwork and collaboration, teaching them to seek and offer support in group settings such as school projects or sports.
Example Lesson: Importance of perseverance
Explanation: Characters in the book persist in their quests despite setbacks, demonstrating the importance of not giving up.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of persistence in achieving goals whether in academics, learning a new skill, or building relationships.
Example Lesson: Understanding and empathy
Explanation: The interactions between humans and dragons show the importance of understanding beings who are different from oneself.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to be empathetic towards others who may seem different, fostering inclusiveness and respect in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Creativity and problem-solving
Explanation: The book’s characters often use creative solutions to navigate challenges, highlighting the importance of innovative thinking.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to think creatively in problem-solving, be it in academic challenges or personal projects.