Happy Birthday, Dear Dragon

Dear Dragon

by Margaret Hillert, Carl Kock (Illustrator)

A youngster is delighted with his birthday present, especially when it helps him do such things as toast marshmallows.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Margaret Hillert has written over 80 books for children who are just learning to read. Her books have been translated into many languages and have helped children throughout the world learn to read. She first started writing poetry as a child and has continued to write for children and adults throughout her life. As a first grade teacher, Margaret realized that the books available for students just learning to read were beyond their comprehension. She then began to write her easy readers and poetry for children. Her first collection of poetry Farther Than Far was published in 1969. Her many awards include the Chicago Children's Reading Round Table Annual Award for outstanding contributions to the field of children's literature. Other honors include the David W. Longe Prize and the Michigan Bookwoman of the Year Award. A teacher for 34 years, she is now retired and lives in Michigan where she continues to write stories and poetry.

Reviews

[Sophie Klockow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: Kinda cute but extremely unrealistic and didn't say much about the birthday. Basically, a birthday boy's father takes him to the pet store and is willing to push him towards all kinds of options for he will pay for whatever the boy wants, and the boy chooses a dragon.
Connections: I've never had an experience like that where my parent is so willing to get me what I want and where money is an issue.
How you would use it: I originally was thinking of reading it on a child's birthday but it doesn't have much to do with birthdays. I might have it in my classroom library but probably not a book I would go waste money on because it will give children unrealistic expectations on their birthday and it doesn't even have much of a plot or really story here.
Subject heading: Birthdays--Fiction.
Dragons--Fiction

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very simple, beginner text tells the simple story of a child whose parents buy him a dragon for his birthday.

The vibrant 70s illustrations were fun, but the outdated view of pets and pet care rubs the wrong way. The kid is taken to a pet store where he is shown a variety of animals in small cages, including dogs, and asked to choose one without any forethought on the part of the parents or child.

[Kevin Denizard · Rating 3 out of 5]

1) 1st-3rd grade
2) no awards
3) This book starts out on the day of a young boy's birthday. His father takes him to the pet store for his present. The boy turns down all the animals until he stumbles upon a pet dragon.
4) I love how the book uses reputation in its text.Although I do not like the book's illustrations

5) A lesson on phonemics awareness, and simple text comprehension questions

[Annie · Rating 2 out of 5]

You might expect that it's the 🐉's birthday but it's just a little boy's birthday, and he picks out a small green dragon from the pet store. The dragon is valued for his utility: he pulls the little boy's wagon and uses his fire to roast marshmallows. If you like text like this, you'll like this book: "Here we go. Run, run, rub. What fun. What fun."

[Konner Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single book in the large Dear Dragon series is perfect for your kindergartener! Focus on this and the "There wad an Old Lady" books and your midget will be reading ahead of their classmates in no time!

[Juan Carlos]

learn english

[Karah Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Today was the little boy's birthday and he was having a wonderful day. His father took him to the pet store to pick out a new family pet, but the boy did not want any ordinary pet. He say a baby dragon that looked perfect! This book would be perfect for a young reader because it is very easy to follow along too, along with it introduces new, more difficult words at the same time. A child would enjoy this book, because the child reading could pretend they are the one who received a dragon for their birthday, and this can excite their imagination.

[Grace and Madeline Eakes Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This

[Miri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm surprised that these are as popular as they seem to be... Maybe I need to read some of the others.

[Todd Stansbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

No, this books a little boring. I don't really like the rhymes or the story. The pacing is a little off. Definitely feels like a seventies book.