Dragon Slayer

Book Review: The Dragon Slayer by Tatyana Feeney

Since it’s International Women’s Day, what better way to celebrate than by sharing this incredible book? 💜

Fantasy writing has completely taken over my classroom lately! My Grade 2s and 4s have been diving deep—crafting elaborate settings, developing main and secondary characters, and even designing their own magical systems.

I love when friends and colleagues recommend books that inspire both me and my students, so a huge THANK YOU for this gem!

One of our mentor texts, The Dragon Slayer, beautifully explores the nature of imagination. The simple yet expressive drawings make it a perfect book for young artists to replicate, and the split narrative structure? A brilliant way to introduce different storytelling techniques!

Beyond the fantasy, this book is a powerful social-emotional learning tool. It highlights themes of perception vs. reality, challenging expectations, and how reputation should never dictate our actions. And let’s talk about the girlpower! The way the protagonist navigates her journey was so well done—it’s exactly the kind of representation young readers need.

I also want to give a huge shoutout to Carl Anderson—his new book Teaching Fantasy Writing is a game-changer! Educators, you need this book in your classroom. It’s packed with strategies that elevate student storytelling and bring creativity to the forefront.

This book sparked so many discussions in our class, and I highly recommend it to educators, parents, and young storytellers alike.

Swipe to see some of the amazing fantasy drafts my Grade 2s and 4s have been working on!