Night Sky Dragons
What’s inside...
A rousing narrative by Carnegie Medalist Mal Peet and his wife, Elspeth Graham, with atmospheric illustrations by acclaimed artist Patrick Benson. Yazul loves making kites with his grandfather, but all he truly desires is the approval of his father. Yazul's father, lord of a han along the Silk Road, is a man made stern by loneliness, and Yazul's love of kite-making only seems to elicit disappointment. 'Travel and trade are what matters,' his father says. But when the han is attacked by bandits, Yazul has an idea. With the help of his grandfather, he might just be able to use his kite-making skills to scare the bandits away and save the han. Will Yazul's courage and cleverness make his father proud?
Age
4-8
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Yazul
Yazul'S Father
Discussion points
What do you think the dragons in the night sky represent?
How do you think Yazul felt when he was creating his own dragon?
What can we learn from the way the villagers worked together?
Why is it important to preserve and pass down family traditions and stories?
How did the story change your thoughts about courage and creativity?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine their own mythical creature and describe its features and powers, linking it to the dragons in the story.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and community by reflecting on how the villagers in the story cooperate.
Relate the story to your child’s experiences by asking them about a time they had to solve a problem creatively.
Highlight the cultural aspects of the story, discussing with your child the significance of storytelling in preserving history and morals.
Ask your child to draw parallels between Yazul’s journey and personal challenges they face, fostering empathy and understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage and bravery
Explanation: The characters in 'Night Sky Dragons' demonstrate courage when they defend their caravanserai from bandits, showcasing their bravery despite facing larger, more powerful adversaries.
Real-World Application: Children learn to stand up for themselves and others, even when they feel scared or intimidated. This can apply in situations like confronting a bully or dealing with new challenges at school.
Example Lesson: Importance of storytelling
Explanation: The story highlights how tales and legends, passed down from the grandfather, not only entertain but also inspire and educate the younger generation, helping them to find bravery within themselves.
Real-World Application: Storytelling can be a powerful tool to instill morals and courage in children. It encourages them to connect with cultural heritage and learn valuable lessons through narratives.
Example Lesson: Creativity and resourcefulness
Explanation: The characters use their creativity to devise a plan to protect their home by creating a dragon from materials they have, showing that resourcefulness can often solve difficult problems.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to use their imagination and available resources to handle issues, such as creating games from simple household items or finding solutions to conflicts among friends.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: The community in the caravanserai comes together, pooling their skills and working as a team to ward off the bandits, emphasizing the strength found in collective effort.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of working with others to achieve common goals, be it in group projects in school or in sports.