I rarely choose to read classics at my book club, and My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett is, without doubt, a classic. I’m waiting for those wide-eyed comments about it having been published in NINETEEN FORTY-EIGHT!
But this is one of those classics that I’m convinced will be good fun to read with my book club. It’s quirky, imaginative, and full of unexpected twists and turns from the very first page. A talking cat, tigers that love chewing gum, a rhinoceros that wants a white horn … each chapter is full of marvels! Best of all is that the story is not about rescuing someone from a dragon; it is about rescuing the dragon itself. I love it!
Here’s what we will do with the book at my reading programme.
Wild Island
Like all lovely works of fantasy, My Father’s Dragon begins with a map. The map of Wild Island says ‘my father doesn’t know what’s on this side of the island’, which is perfect for us to imagine anything we like! What do you think we’ll find on the island? What adventures do you think we could have there?
Being Prepared
The talking cat advises Elmer Elevator to carry rubber bands, a comb, a brush, chewing gum, toothpaste and a toothbrush, lollipops … all rather unlikely things to take on a mission to rescue a dragon, wouldn’t you think? When we reach the first section where Elmer puts one of these to use, I’d love for the children to imagine different uses for a few for some of the other unusual things Elmer takes with him on his adventure.
Talking Animals
If you could meet a talking animal, what would you like to meet? Beginning with the simple question of what animal you’d choose to talk to, we will do a basic character exploration of what kind of creature this animal would be and how someone like Elmer could outwit them.
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