Don't Ask the Dragon - by Lemn Sissay (Paperback)

About the Book

"This is the story of a little boy called Alem who goes on an adventure. It's his birthday, but who knows where can he go to celebrate? Maybe the bear, the fox, the meercat, the treefrog, the fruit bat, or the bulldog know? But don't ask the dragon--or he will EAT you!"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Don't Ask the Dragon is a beautifully illustrated picture book exploring friendship, belonging and overcoming your fears

Waterstones - The Best Books of 2022: Baby & Toddler

This is the story of Alem, a curious little boy who realises today is his birthday. The only problem is that Alem does not know where to celebrate, and who to celebrate with.

He goes on an adventure all on his own, meeting exciting animals along the way. He befriends a bear, a fox, a treefrog, a bulldog and more. Every new friend he makes, he asks the same question: where shall I go?

And every time he's met with the same warning: 'don't ask the dragon . . . OR HE WILL EAT YOU'.

The only thing Alem never speaks to is the tiny worm who sits on each page, perhaps it's because the worm is so small!

All alone at the top of a hill, Alem grows frustrated and helpless as he doesn't know where to go. But someone - or something - does and Alem comes face-to-face with the dangerous dragon he was warned about. But just how dangerous is it?

Don't Ask the Dragon is a heart-warming tale with an equally stimulating seek-and-find element. The story of Alem teaches us to never judge a book by its cover and to unabashedly ask questions in order to grow.

Review Quotes

[A] beautifully drawn adventure-- "Daily Mail"

A lovely book, simple and yet profound. There should be a copy in every nursery--JACQUELINE WILSON

A lovely celebration of friendship and belonging, perfect for reading out loud--CERRIE BURNELL

A lovely read . . . beautifully illustrated pages-- "Big Issue"

A stunning new rhyming folk tale for our time, about someone who wonders where is home. The answer is surprising but it tells us all, from the youngest reader to the oldest that you can find home so long as you've got friends. It's moving, loveable and philosophical, in other words, great mind-soup!--MICHAEL ROSEN

A warm-hearted, richly coloured, peril-spiced quest-- "Guardian"

Lemn's dragon is one we all need to meet, want to meet. A dragon with kind teeth, a friend-dragon. A Lemn-dragon! We have grandchildren who will love it. Grandpa loved it too--MICHAEL MORPURGO

The story is perfectly matched by the wonderful illustrations and I love the message of home being inside you--MALORIE BLACKMAN, author of NOUGHTS AND CROSSES

Warm-hearted and cheerful . . . simple but lyrical-- "Sunday Times, Best Children's Books of 2022 So Far"

Warm-hearted and cheerful to look at, it is simple but lyrical, and has an unexpected twist.--Nicolette Jones "The Sunday Times"

About the Author

Lemn Sissay OBE is a BAFTA-nominated, bestselling and award-winning writer and broadcaster. His 2019 memoir My Name Is Why was a number one Sunday Times bestseller. His Landmark poems are visible in London, Manchester, Huddersfield and Addis Ababa. Sissay was awarded an MBE in 2010, the PEN Pinter Prize in 2019 and an OBE for services to literature and charity in 2021. He is Chancellor of the University of Manchester. He is British and Ethiopian.
@lemnsissay lemnsissay.com

Greg Stobbs is an illustrator, street artist and visual development artist from the South East, with an overactive imagination. He has previously worked with the BBC, CBeebies, Urban Outfitters and John Lewis.
@gregstobbs_illustration @squirlart