{"id":456400909,"title":"Me and My Dragon: Christmas Spirit","handle":"me-and-my-dragon-christmas-spirit","description":"\u003ch6\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten \u0026amp; Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/david-biedrzycki\" title=\"David Biedrzycki bio\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDavid Biedrzycki\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen Dragon finds the Christmas spirit,\u003cbr\u003e it’s not his fiery breath that will warm your heart.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this third book in the Me and My Dragon series, rejoin the young boy and his pet dragon as they prepare for Christmas. The boy is concerned that Dragon doesn’t understand what “Christmas spirit” is all about. Christmas spirit means giving, helping others, spreading joy—all things the boy knows but doesn’t necessarily put into action.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe boy wants to buy Dragon the perfect gift, so they both take some odd jobs from the newspaper’s \"Help Wanted\" section to earn money. Dragon puts his own dragon-esque spin on these jobs, with hilarious results.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe boy comes to realize that there are others around him who are truly in need of the money, so he admirably donates the contents of his piggy bank. And with a warm feeling in his heart, the boy, his mom and dad, and Dragon celebrate Christmas morning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Biedrzycki’s detailed and humorous illustrations bring the antics of the boy and Dragon to life, and in the end reveal a wink from Dragon . . . he had the Christmas spirit all along!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/charlesbridge.blogspot.com\/2018\/04\/charlesbridge-unplugged-4-david.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eListen\u003c\/a\u003e to David talk about his books on Charlesbridge Unplugged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/products\/me-and-my-dragon\" title=\"Me and My Dragon\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMe and My Dragon\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/products\/me-and-my-dragon-scared-of-halloween\" title=\"Me and My Dragon: Scared of Halloween\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMe and My Dragon: Scared of Halloween\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/me-and-my-dragon-christmas-spread.jpg?17498273368179713507\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Biedrzycki has been creating illustrations for book publishers, advertising agencies, magazines, and design firms since 1980. His art has graced the cover of KidSoft magazine, New England Aquarium billboards and children's software packaging, such as “The Amazon Trail” and “Odell Down Under.” He is the author\/illustrator of the Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective series as well as \u003ci\u003eMe and My Dragon\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eMe and My Dragon: Scared of Halloween\u003c\/i\u003e. He also illustrated \u003cem\u003eThe Beetle Alphabet Book\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eDory Story\u003c\/em\u003e. David lives in Medfield, Massachusetts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Author\/Illustrator David Biedrzycki\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/david-biedrzycki\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about David.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the third story in the Me and My Dragon series, the red dragon and the boy who owns him find a new way to celebrate Christmas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe unnamed, dark-skinned boy with straight, black hair and Dragon work together to earn money to buy Christmas gifts for their family members. They take all sorts of freelance jobs, mostly ones that come with gag opportunities, such as selling toasted marshmallows, cleverly roasted with Dragon’s fiery breath, on a stick. After babysitting for free for a single mom with seven kids, the boy and his pet see that the family can’t afford to heat their house. The boy donates his funds to an agency that provides fuel to needy families, and with his earnings, Dragon buys some of the latest toys for the children of the family. Instead of giving store-bought presents to one another, the boy and Dragon make simple gifts at home for their family, and both find their Christmas of helping others the “Best Christmas ever!” Bold, digital illustrations have an animation aesthetic and use a pleasing variety of perspectives and page formats, and the dragon with its bulging yellow eyes is quite a scene stealer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe idea of giving to others as the best way to celebrate Christmas is certainly not new, but the treatment here is fresh enough thanks to the help of the charming red dragon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWho needs Santa when you have a dragon? This third book in Biedrzycki's picture book series finds his young narrator trying to help his bright red dragon get into the holiday spirit. In order to buy gifts, the two embark on a series of money-making ventures, learning—among other things—that selling dragon-heated hot chocolate is a better wintertime option than (frozen) lemonade. Biedrzycki's digitally created illustrations have the same cinematic energy and visual humor of the previous books (in one early sequence, the dragon zips two pedestrians across the street after they wait an eternity for the traffic light to change), but the author steers the story in a nobler direction as the boy decides to use his earnings to help a family in need. It's a well-balanced mix of humor, Christmastime generosity, and fire-breathing fun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA boy and his dragon discover the true meaning of Christmas. In droll, matter-of-fact text, an unnamed hero explains all the ways that his pet dragon doesn’t understand the spirit of Christmas (belied by the hysterically funny illustrations, which show the dragon making donations, singing carols, and helping strangers, while his oblivious human dreams of holiday gifts). The boy comes up with the perfect gift for dragon, but when he strikes out on the parental front for financial assistance, he realizes that he’d better find a way to earn some money. Fortunately, his pet dragon is there to help. They try out a number of jobs and are surprisingly successful—so much so that they have time to do a little free babysitting for Mrs. Jones, who has a large family. In the end, it turns out both boy and dragon had a very good understanding of the true meaning of Christmas, right from the start. VERDICT A terrific holiday read-aloud that imparts an important lesson in a funny and entertaining manner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eBookPage\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn David Biedrzycki's \u003cb\u003eMe and My Dragon: Christmas Spirit\u003c\/b\u003e, the boy-and-beast team are preparing for the holidays. Lacking the funds to buy Christmas gifts, they take on odd (very, very odd) jobs for cash. Dragon's fire-breathing abilities prove lucrative: He broils up menu items at the Burger Barn and toasts marshmallows, which his enterprising little partner sells for 50 cents. But when it's time to go shopping, the boy has a change of heart, and he donates his money to a worthy cause. As for Dragon, he contributes homemade cookies (although his baking skills are questionable). Biedrzycki's clever digital illustrations are crammed with Christmas goodness—snowy sidewalks, costumed carolers and two happy friends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/me-and-my-dragon-christmas-cvr.jpg?17498273368179713507\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/me-and-my-dragon-christmas-hires.zip?11168087741652464497\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePaperback\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-623-8\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eE-book\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-907-5 EPUB\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: 978-1-60734-908-2 PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 4-8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 40\u003cbr\u003e11 x 8 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCorrelated to Common Core State Standards:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade K. Standards 1-7, 10\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade 1. Standards 1-4, 6, 7, 10\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2015-04-14T14:44:00-04:00","created_at":"2015-04-14T14:00:31-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 3-6","Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Holidays","Browse by Subject_Story Time \u0026 Play"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":false,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":44036201840877,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"96238","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":12940177375311,"product_id":456400909,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-10-07T17:12:37-04:00","updated_at":"2020-04-13T13:16:50-04:00","alt":"Me and My Dragon: Christmas Spirit book cover","width":600,"height":464,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/me-and-my-dragon-christmas-cover.jpg?v=1586798210","variant_ids":[44036201840877]},"available":false,"name":"Me and My Dragon: Christmas Spirit - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":369,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":0,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"deny","barcode":"9781580896238","featured_media":{"alt":"Me and My Dragon: Christmas Spirit book cover","id":2474917625935,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.293,"height":464,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/me-and-my-dragon-christmas-cover.jpg?v=1586798210"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/me-and-my-dragon-christmas-cover.jpg?v=1586798210"],"featured_image":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/me-and-my-dragon-christmas-cover.jpg?v=1586798210","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"Me and My Dragon: Christmas Spirit book cover","id":2474917625935,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.293,"height":464,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/me-and-my-dragon-christmas-cover.jpg?v=1586798210"},"aspect_ratio":1.293,"height":464,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/me-and-my-dragon-christmas-cover.jpg?v=1586798210","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch6\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten \u0026amp; Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/david-biedrzycki\" title=\"David Biedrzycki bio\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDavid Biedrzycki\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen Dragon finds the Christmas spirit,\u003cbr\u003e it’s not his fiery breath that will warm your heart.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this third book in the Me and My Dragon series, rejoin the young boy and his pet dragon as they prepare for Christmas. The boy is concerned that Dragon doesn’t understand what “Christmas spirit” is all about. Christmas spirit means giving, helping others, spreading joy—all things the boy knows but doesn’t necessarily put into action.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe boy wants to buy Dragon the perfect gift, so they both take some odd jobs from the newspaper’s \"Help Wanted\" section to earn money. Dragon puts his own dragon-esque spin on these jobs, with hilarious results.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe boy comes to realize that there are others around him who are truly in need of the money, so he admirably donates the contents of his piggy bank. And with a warm feeling in his heart, the boy, his mom and dad, and Dragon celebrate Christmas morning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Biedrzycki’s detailed and humorous illustrations bring the antics of the boy and Dragon to life, and in the end reveal a wink from Dragon . . . he had the Christmas spirit all along!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/charlesbridge.blogspot.com\/2018\/04\/charlesbridge-unplugged-4-david.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eListen\u003c\/a\u003e to David talk about his books on Charlesbridge Unplugged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/products\/me-and-my-dragon\" title=\"Me and My Dragon\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMe and My Dragon\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/products\/me-and-my-dragon-scared-of-halloween\" title=\"Me and My Dragon: Scared of Halloween\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMe and My Dragon: Scared of Halloween\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/me-and-my-dragon-christmas-spread.jpg?17498273368179713507\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Biedrzycki has been creating illustrations for book publishers, advertising agencies, magazines, and design firms since 1980. His art has graced the cover of KidSoft magazine, New England Aquarium billboards and children's software packaging, such as “The Amazon Trail” and “Odell Down Under.” He is the author\/illustrator of the Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective series as well as \u003ci\u003eMe and My Dragon\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eMe and My Dragon: Scared of Halloween\u003c\/i\u003e. He also illustrated \u003cem\u003eThe Beetle Alphabet Book\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eDory Story\u003c\/em\u003e. David lives in Medfield, Massachusetts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Author\/Illustrator David Biedrzycki\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/david-biedrzycki\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about David.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the third story in the Me and My Dragon series, the red dragon and the boy who owns him find a new way to celebrate Christmas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe unnamed, dark-skinned boy with straight, black hair and Dragon work together to earn money to buy Christmas gifts for their family members. They take all sorts of freelance jobs, mostly ones that come with gag opportunities, such as selling toasted marshmallows, cleverly roasted with Dragon’s fiery breath, on a stick. After babysitting for free for a single mom with seven kids, the boy and his pet see that the family can’t afford to heat their house. The boy donates his funds to an agency that provides fuel to needy families, and with his earnings, Dragon buys some of the latest toys for the children of the family. Instead of giving store-bought presents to one another, the boy and Dragon make simple gifts at home for their family, and both find their Christmas of helping others the “Best Christmas ever!” Bold, digital illustrations have an animation aesthetic and use a pleasing variety of perspectives and page formats, and the dragon with its bulging yellow eyes is quite a scene stealer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe idea of giving to others as the best way to celebrate Christmas is certainly not new, but the treatment here is fresh enough thanks to the help of the charming red dragon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWho needs Santa when you have a dragon? This third book in Biedrzycki's picture book series finds his young narrator trying to help his bright red dragon get into the holiday spirit. In order to buy gifts, the two embark on a series of money-making ventures, learning—among other things—that selling dragon-heated hot chocolate is a better wintertime option than (frozen) lemonade. Biedrzycki's digitally created illustrations have the same cinematic energy and visual humor of the previous books (in one early sequence, the dragon zips two pedestrians across the street after they wait an eternity for the traffic light to change), but the author steers the story in a nobler direction as the boy decides to use his earnings to help a family in need. It's a well-balanced mix of humor, Christmastime generosity, and fire-breathing fun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA boy and his dragon discover the true meaning of Christmas. In droll, matter-of-fact text, an unnamed hero explains all the ways that his pet dragon doesn’t understand the spirit of Christmas (belied by the hysterically funny illustrations, which show the dragon making donations, singing carols, and helping strangers, while his oblivious human dreams of holiday gifts). The boy comes up with the perfect gift for dragon, but when he strikes out on the parental front for financial assistance, he realizes that he’d better find a way to earn some money. Fortunately, his pet dragon is there to help. They try out a number of jobs and are surprisingly successful—so much so that they have time to do a little free babysitting for Mrs. Jones, who has a large family. In the end, it turns out both boy and dragon had a very good understanding of the true meaning of Christmas, right from the start. VERDICT A terrific holiday read-aloud that imparts an important lesson in a funny and entertaining manner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eBookPage\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn David Biedrzycki's \u003cb\u003eMe and My Dragon: Christmas Spirit\u003c\/b\u003e, the boy-and-beast team are preparing for the holidays. Lacking the funds to buy Christmas gifts, they take on odd (very, very odd) jobs for cash. Dragon's fire-breathing abilities prove lucrative: He broils up menu items at the Burger Barn and toasts marshmallows, which his enterprising little partner sells for 50 cents. But when it's time to go shopping, the boy has a change of heart, and he donates his money to a worthy cause. As for Dragon, he contributes homemade cookies (although his baking skills are questionable). Biedrzycki's clever digital illustrations are crammed with Christmas goodness—snowy sidewalks, costumed carolers and two happy friends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/me-and-my-dragon-christmas-cvr.jpg?17498273368179713507\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/me-and-my-dragon-christmas-hires.zip?11168087741652464497\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePaperback\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-623-8\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eE-book\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-907-5 EPUB\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: 978-1-60734-908-2 PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 4-8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 40\u003cbr\u003e11 x 8 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCorrelated to Common Core State Standards:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade K. Standards 1-7, 10\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade 1. Standards 1-4, 6, 7, 10\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}

Me and My Dragon: Christmas Spirit


Written & Illustrated by: David Biedrzycki

When Dragon finds the Christmas spirit,
it’s not his fiery breath that will warm your heart.

In this third book in the Me and My Dragon series, rejoin the young boy and his pet dragon as they prepare for Christmas. The boy is concerned that Dragon doesn’t understand what “Christmas spirit” is all about. Christmas spirit means giving, helping others, spreading joy—all things the boy knows but doesn’t necessarily put into action.

The boy wants to buy Dragon the perfect gift, so they both take some odd jobs from the newspaper’s "Help Wanted" section to earn money. Dragon puts his own dragon-esque spin on these jobs, with hilarious results.

The boy comes to realize that there are others around him who are truly in need of the money, so he admirably donates the contents of his piggy bank. And with a warm feeling in his heart, the boy, his mom and dad, and Dragon celebrate Christmas morning.

David Biedrzycki’s detailed and humorous illustrations bring the antics of the boy and Dragon to life, and in the end reveal a wink from Dragon . . . he had the Christmas spirit all along!

Listen to David talk about his books on Charlesbridge Unplugged.

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David Biedrzycki has been creating illustrations for book publishers, advertising agencies, magazines, and design firms since 1980. His art has graced the cover of KidSoft magazine, New England Aquarium billboards and children's software packaging, such as “The Amazon Trail” and “Odell Down Under.” He is the author/illustrator of the Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective series as well as Me and My Dragon and Me and My Dragon: Scared of Halloween. He also illustrated The Beetle Alphabet Book and Dory Story. David lives in Medfield, Massachusetts.

Read more about David.

Kirkus Reviews

In the third story in the Me and My Dragon series, the red dragon and the boy who owns him find a new way to celebrate Christmas.

The unnamed, dark-skinned boy with straight, black hair and Dragon work together to earn money to buy Christmas gifts for their family members. They take all sorts of freelance jobs, mostly ones that come with gag opportunities, such as selling toasted marshmallows, cleverly roasted with Dragon’s fiery breath, on a stick. After babysitting for free for a single mom with seven kids, the boy and his pet see that the family can’t afford to heat their house. The boy donates his funds to an agency that provides fuel to needy families, and with his earnings, Dragon buys some of the latest toys for the children of the family. Instead of giving store-bought presents to one another, the boy and Dragon make simple gifts at home for their family, and both find their Christmas of helping others the “Best Christmas ever!” Bold, digital illustrations have an animation aesthetic and use a pleasing variety of perspectives and page formats, and the dragon with its bulging yellow eyes is quite a scene stealer.

The idea of giving to others as the best way to celebrate Christmas is certainly not new, but the treatment here is fresh enough thanks to the help of the charming red dragon.

Publishers Weekly

Who needs Santa when you have a dragon? This third book in Biedrzycki's picture book series finds his young narrator trying to help his bright red dragon get into the holiday spirit. In order to buy gifts, the two embark on a series of money-making ventures, learning—among other things—that selling dragon-heated hot chocolate is a better wintertime option than (frozen) lemonade. Biedrzycki's digitally created illustrations have the same cinematic energy and visual humor of the previous books (in one early sequence, the dragon zips two pedestrians across the street after they wait an eternity for the traffic light to change), but the author steers the story in a nobler direction as the boy decides to use his earnings to help a family in need. It's a well-balanced mix of humor, Christmastime generosity, and fire-breathing fun.

School Library Journal

A boy and his dragon discover the true meaning of Christmas. In droll, matter-of-fact text, an unnamed hero explains all the ways that his pet dragon doesn’t understand the spirit of Christmas (belied by the hysterically funny illustrations, which show the dragon making donations, singing carols, and helping strangers, while his oblivious human dreams of holiday gifts). The boy comes up with the perfect gift for dragon, but when he strikes out on the parental front for financial assistance, he realizes that he’d better find a way to earn some money. Fortunately, his pet dragon is there to help. They try out a number of jobs and are surprisingly successful—so much so that they have time to do a little free babysitting for Mrs. Jones, who has a large family. In the end, it turns out both boy and dragon had a very good understanding of the true meaning of Christmas, right from the start. VERDICT A terrific holiday read-aloud that imparts an important lesson in a funny and entertaining manner.

BookPage

In David Biedrzycki's Me and My Dragon: Christmas Spirit, the boy-and-beast team are preparing for the holidays. Lacking the funds to buy Christmas gifts, they take on odd (very, very odd) jobs for cash. Dragon's fire-breathing abilities prove lucrative: He broils up menu items at the Burger Barn and toasts marshmallows, which his enterprising little partner sells for 50 cents. But when it's time to go shopping, the boy has a change of heart, and he donates his money to a worthy cause. As for Dragon, he contributes homemade cookies (although his baking skills are questionable). Biedrzycki's clever digital illustrations are crammed with Christmas goodness—snowy sidewalks, costumed carolers and two happy friends.

Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-58089-623-8

E-book
ISBN: 978-1-60734-907-5 EPUB
ISBN: 978-1-60734-908-2 PDF

Ages: 4-8
Page count: 40
11 x 8 1/2

Correlated to Common Core State Standards:
English Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade K. Standards 1-7, 10
English Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade 1. Standards 1-4, 6, 7, 10