Book Review of Just Be Yourself, Dragon
The Children’s Book Review

What to expect: Dragons, humor, interactive story, the first day of school, nerves

Our favorite dragon is back and ready for her first day of school!

Or is she?

Dragon is a little…nervous. It’s going to take some fun young readers to lure dragon out from under the bed to come and have the delicious breakfast that the castle cooks have made!

Once she’s eaten her fill, Dragon has to leave the castle and walk to school with her friends, the Prince and Princess, which is another new thing that makes Dragon nervous. And when she’s at school, Dragon experiences so many new things, it’s a little overwhelming!

Sitting criss-cross applesauce, using a see-saw (turns out she’s a bit too heavy!), and stacking blocks all present sweet and sometimes silly challenges for our beloved friend. But Dragon is very brave and keeps going, remembering the advice she was given: Just be yourself!

At lunch, she has to find a spot to sit and eat her dino-nuggets. Our young readers come to the rescue, pointing out an empty seat, and Dragon is very brave and asks to sit down. Success! Dragon makes a new friend, and enjoys her lunch! Plus, when lunch goes a bit awry, it’s Dragon who saves the day, using her fiery dragon breath to make an awesome grilled cheese that everyone wants!

Dragon’s first day of school isn’t awful at all – it’s wonderful! Hooray for Dragon!

Perfect for children starting school or learning how to conquer their fears, JUST BE YOURSELF, DRAGON is a sweet and catchy interactive story that will delight young readers. With their trademark style and empowering themes, author Bianca Schulze and illustrator Samara Hardy have created another hit in their third picture book featuring lovable Dragon. Recognizing how powerful those feelings of nervousness and newness are, JUST BE YOURSELF DRAGON gives practical examples and helpful advice to young children starting school. And with fun interactive elements, catchy rhymes, and colorful and engaging illustrations, it’s a wonderful story to read and enjoy.

JUST BE YOURSELF, DRAGON is an exciting addition to the DRAGON series that is sure to become a family read-aloud favorite! 

Highly recommended!

Buy the Book

About the Illustrator

Samara Hardy is the illustrator of Don’t Wake the Dragon and Who Loves the Dragon?. An experienced illustrator and designer, she has created artwork for clients across the globe for greetings cards, stationery, homewares, children’s books, and much more. She lives in Surrey, England.

Just Be Yourself, Dragon!, written by Bianca Schulze and illustrated by Samara Hardy, was reviewed by Denise Mealy. Discover more books like Just Be Yourself, Dragon! by following our reviews and articles tagged with Back-to-School, Dragons, First Day of School Books, and Interactive Books.