Today I’ve got a special treat for you dragon and fairy tale fans!
Bianca Schulze has visited my blog before. She is the founder and editor of The Children’s Books Review – a resource devoted to children’s literature and literacy. Bianca is also the author of the popular Don’t Wake the Dragon series (translated into 20 languages) and the bestselling 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (an Amazon “Book of the Month”). She is a reader, reviewer, mother, and children’s book lover. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Bianca now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado. You can learn more about her at her website.
Bianca is hosting a blog tour and shared a copy of this book with me in order for me to share my opinion. She has asked that I share my review is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review, but I haven’t received any remuneration for this. As always, the opinions are mine and freely given. 😉
A NEW FRIEND FOR DRAGON is another dragon story that is interactive for the very young readers. This time Dragon wants to be friends with the new knight who has come to town, but the knight doesn’t want to be friends. This series really is the most delightful meta series I’ve seen yet for readers who are just learning to read. This particular story turns fairy tale tropes on their heads in the funniest of ways, while also exploring what makes a friend someone you really want to be friends with. If you haven’t read any of the books in this series (remember Bianca stopping by my blog for a previous book in the series), you really need to check them out. They’re a really fun series with the sweetest main character. You won’t want to miss them!
Welcome back Bianca!
Me: This is your fifth book in the Dragon series. I love that you challenged the knight and dragon relationship stereotypes with this one! What gave you the idea for this story?
Bianca: My editor at Clever Publishing and I discussed writing a story for Dragon in which she would make a new friend. With all the issues going on in the world, from political unrest here in the US to horrific wars abroad, there are often so many blanket statements made that group people together in some pretty appalling stereotypes. My biggest wish is that everyone in the world could be friends, no matter who you are or your beliefs. The idea for this story came from wanting to challenge traditional stereotypes and teach children about overcoming preconceptions. Knights and dragons are often portrayed as enemies in classic tales, so I thought exploring what might happen if they tried to become friends instead would be interesting. It’s a gentle and safe way to introduce young readers to the idea that we shouldn’t judge others based on first assumptions.
Me: I love that! And I love these books and how interactive they are. Five books into the series, is it hard to keep coming up with fresh plots for the same characters? What made you want to write a sequel?
Bianca: I have so much fun creating stories for Dragon. I know her well now, so if my publisher keeps asking me to write more stories about her, the answer would be yes! The positive response from young readers and their parents has been a huge motivation to continue the series. I keep writing more Dragon books because it allows me to explore different layers of her personality and personal growth themes, which keeps the creative process exciting. While it can be challenging to keep the stories fresh within a series, Dragon’s relatable personality (complete with a wide range of emotions and regular oopsies) provides a solid foundation for plenty of new adventures. The interactive aspects (like having to turn pages very slowly, blowing kisses, waving, shaking or rocking the books) also offer new opportunities for me to stretch my imagination to engage children in unique ways. Honestly, it’s the best job ever!
Me: After the fifth book, your dragon stories all must include certain things: brief text, fun interactive moments, similar characters, etc. Was it hard to continue all those things in such a brief text? How many revisions did this story undergo?
Bianca: Maintaining the series’ hallmarks within a brief text is certainly a challenge, but it’s also a rewarding part of writing these books. The key is to distill the story to its essence while keeping it engaging and meaningful. A New Friend for Dragon underwent several revisions—I’d estimate around 5-6 drafts. Each revision focused on refining the interactive elements, ensuring the message was clear, and maintaining the playful tone readers expect from the series.
Me: After several books in this series, can you still be surprised in creating them? What is one thing that surprised you in writing this story?
Bianca: Absolutely! What surprised me most in writing this story was how naturally the theme of challenging stereotypes emerged. As I developed the story, I realized how powerful it could be to show Dragon and Sir Fiero overcoming their preconceptions about each other. It was a pleasant surprise to see how a simple premise of making a new friend could evolve into a meaningful narrative about open-mindedness.
Me: The young kids I teach just assume a new kiddo is an instant friend. I love that you’re showing young readers that someone isn’t always going to be their friend just because they want them to be. Why did you want to start this discussion? Why is it important to you to share that with young readers?
Bianca: I wanted to address this topic because it’s an important life lesson that children often encounter as they grow and socialize. While it’s wonderful that children are usually open to new friendships, it’s equally essential for them to understand that relationships take time to develop and that not everyone will become an instant friend. By exploring this in the story, we can help children navigate social situations with more realistic expectations and resilience. It’s crucial to me that young readers discover and learn these social-emotional skills in a gentle, supportive way.
Me: Have you read any of the Dragon books aloud to group of young readers yet (classroom, story time, etc.)? Do you have a great deal of fun incorporating young reader involvement in the actions the book tells them to take (i.e., winking, kissy noises, etc.)? How do the kids react?
Bianca: Yes, I’ve had the pleasure of reading all the Dragon books to groups of children, and it’s always a fantastic experience! The interactive elements are particularly fun in a group setting. Children love participating in the story by making faces, sounds, or gestures. Their reactions are priceless—there’s usually a lot of giggling and excitement. Seeing how engaged they become with the story and characters is heartwarming. These read-aloud sessions often become lively, joyful experiences that remind me why I love creating these books.
Me: The illustrations by Samara Hardy are pitch perfect for this series. They’re so bright and captivating. Did you have any illustration surprises? Any favorites?
Bianca: Samara’s illustrations never cease to amaze me! One delightful surprise in this book was how she depicted Sir Fiero. I had a general idea of a shiny knight in armor, but Samara’s interpretation with the sparkling silver sword and the knight’s expressive face, even with the helmet, really brought the character to life in ways I hadn’t imagined.
As for favorites, I’m particularly fond of the scenes where Sir Fiero wants to rescue the princess, but “She absolutely, positively, DOES NOT need saving!” Samara captured this moment of contentious friendship so beautifully. The contrast between Sir Fiero’s confused expression and her expression of disdain perfectly tells this moment of the story and makes me laugh.
Another favorite is the final spread where Dragon and Sir Fiero are thoroughly enjoying each other’s company. The joy and warmth in that illustration really embody the message of the book. Samara’s ability to convey emotion through her art, especially in the characters’ expressive faces, never fails to impress me. The bright, vibrant colors she uses throughout the book also deserve a mention. They make each page pop and draw young readers into the story so easily. Her illustrations are a crucial part of what makes this series so engaging for children. I’m so grateful to have my words paired with her art.
Jena, thank you so much for taking the time to ask me these great questions! And a shoutout to you and your lovely new picture book, KAUAI’S CALL! Kauai is one of my favorite places in the world, and your story captures a beautiful, nuanced experience that anyone who’s ever visited the island would immediately respond to with their heart—well done!
Aww! Thank you for that. And thank you for stopping by my blog again today Bianca.
But wait, dear readers! There’s more! Bianca is hosting an incredible giveaway of a signed copy of A NEW FRIEND FOR DRAGON, two Hydro Flask cups (one for a child and one for an adult), and Dragon stickers to decorate them. Click here for the entry form: https://www.