Diverse friendships (characteristics)

The Dragon and the Turtle

By Donita K Paul and Evangeline Denmark

In this picture book a young, pirate-playing turtle named Roger becomes lost and a small, bug-eating dragon named Padraig helps him find his way home. Padraig must use all his senses; sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell, to help bring his new friend home. Roger gives directions that take some time to follow—his house looks brown, sounds like singing, smells like baking, feels like sand, and tastes like strawberries—and along the way, Roger and Padraig become friends. This book would help a child develop their emotional intelligence by showing them that they can be friends with someone who does things differently than they do. By recognizing that that the dragon may do things differently than the turtle, a child can see that the way they do something may not be the only right way. A child can visualize and learn acceptance through this tale.