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Emma Yarlett's Post Pals
Dragon Post
A fiery story about friendship and asking for help from award-winning author-illustrator Emma Yarlett.
One day Alex finds a dragon living under his stairs. He isn't sure what to do - but luckily he knows just who to ask for help. Open the envelopes and read the hilarious letters Alex receives from the fire brigade, the butcher and more as he tries to take care of his new friend. Who would have thought having a dragon for a pet would be so tricky? A joyful, touching and vibrantly-illustrated interactive book.
One day Alex finds a dragon living under his stairs. He isn't sure what to do - but luckily he knows just who to ask for help. Open the envelopes and read the hilarious letters Alex receives from the fire brigade, the butcher and more as he tries to take care of his new friend. Who would have thought having a dragon for a pet would be so tricky? A joyful, touching and vibrantly-illustrated interactive book.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2018
5 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Emma Yarlett
48 books124 followersEmma Yarlett graduated with honors in illustration from University College Falmouth in 2011. Her other work includes a nonfiction book by Julia Donaldson and animation for the Waterstones Children’s Book Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
November 6, 2018
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
One day little Alex finds a baby dragon hiding in the cupboard under his stairs. He knows that dragons can breathe fire and is worried the dragon will set fire to the house so he writes to the fire brigade to ask them what he should do. He then wants to know what the dragon should eat so he writes to the butcher, plus he also needs to know if the living conditions are right for the dragon, so he writes to the wildlife centre.
Alex receives handwritten letters back from everyone he writes to, plus he also receives a letter from a solicitor too.
Dragon Post is a brilliantly funny book that not only lets the child read the story, it also lets them join in by being able to open five letters from various people. The story is told and written by Alex in what looks like crayon and child-like handwriting. It is a tale of friendship and also about asking for advice when you don’t know what to do.
The illustrations are just divine and they certainly draw the eye to the pages. I absolutely adored this book and believe that children will love it too. Just keep it out of the way of very small kiddies hands as you don’t want the letters, which can be removed from the book, going missing or getting ripped.
One day little Alex finds a baby dragon hiding in the cupboard under his stairs. He knows that dragons can breathe fire and is worried the dragon will set fire to the house so he writes to the fire brigade to ask them what he should do. He then wants to know what the dragon should eat so he writes to the butcher, plus he also needs to know if the living conditions are right for the dragon, so he writes to the wildlife centre.
Alex receives handwritten letters back from everyone he writes to, plus he also receives a letter from a solicitor too.
Dragon Post is a brilliantly funny book that not only lets the child read the story, it also lets them join in by being able to open five letters from various people. The story is told and written by Alex in what looks like crayon and child-like handwriting. It is a tale of friendship and also about asking for advice when you don’t know what to do.
The illustrations are just divine and they certainly draw the eye to the pages. I absolutely adored this book and believe that children will love it too. Just keep it out of the way of very small kiddies hands as you don’t want the letters, which can be removed from the book, going missing or getting ripped.
July 8, 2024
What an endearing, brilliant book! Who says we just turn pages of picture books? Why not open letters, from envelopes?
Alex shows initiative in writing letters to the fire brigade (this dragon might set fire to the house), to the butcher (what to feed a dragon? He's not a fan of jam sandwiches). After the dragon ate twenty-three steaks, ten hams and half of my umbrella his than you roars were very loud! He receives a threatening letter from the legal representatives of neighbour Mrs Arabelle Smirk.
A stiger-bitten suggestion comes from the director of World Animal Welfare. The dragon might be suffering from CRAMPED-INDOORS-IVITUS, and recommends a flight each day.
Sadly, Alex and the dragon share a last happy day, then he sets him loose in the wild. And receives a final Dragon Post.
I am most impressed that all the letters remain intact in a library book.
More outside-the-square formats, please, Walker Books!
Alex shows initiative in writing letters to the fire brigade (this dragon might set fire to the house), to the butcher (what to feed a dragon? He's not a fan of jam sandwiches). After the dragon ate twenty-three steaks, ten hams and half of my umbrella his than you roars were very loud! He receives a threatening letter from the legal representatives of neighbour Mrs Arabelle Smirk.
A stiger-bitten suggestion comes from the director of World Animal Welfare. The dragon might be suffering from CRAMPED-INDOORS-IVITUS, and recommends a flight each day.
Sadly, Alex and the dragon share a last happy day, then he sets him loose in the wild. And receives a final Dragon Post.
I am most impressed that all the letters remain intact in a library book.
More outside-the-square formats, please, Walker Books!
June 9, 2020
Querido lector:
Te escribo esta carta para recomendarte un libro que me ha fascinado: El correo del dragón, de Emma Yarlett.
¿Recuerdas cuando leímos El cartero simpático? Nos enamoró su formato con cartas en el interior. Pues este libro nos lo recuerda mucho. Y, ya sabes, los que amamos el placer de escribir y recibir cartas, no nos podemos resistir a la curiosidad de ver qué hay dentro de cada sobre. ¡Es muy emocionante!
¿Sabes de qué trata el libro? Ésta es la historia de Álex y un dragón que ha encontrado en su casa. ¿Y tú sabes qué hay que hacer con un dragón? Álex recurre a la correspondencia para conseguir los consejos que necesita. Y aprende a cuidarlo, pero... ¿Crees que el mejor lugar para un dragón es una casa? Efectivamente.
Este cuento, divertido y tierno, nos habla de la amistad y la necesidad de afrontar la despedida.
El estilo de Emma Yarlett es fresco y sencillo. Disfrutarás con las texturas gráficas que nos recuerdan a los garabatos infantiles y verás, en cada página, recursos visuales sorprendentes. Es muy interesante cómo construye los espacios, ¡ya verás!
Espero recibir noticias tuyas.
P.D. He olvidado decirte una cosa: ¡me he encontrado un dragón en casa! Ahora no sé qué hacer... ¿Me das algún consejo?
Atentamente,
Te escribo esta carta para recomendarte un libro que me ha fascinado: El correo del dragón, de Emma Yarlett.
¿Recuerdas cuando leímos El cartero simpático? Nos enamoró su formato con cartas en el interior. Pues este libro nos lo recuerda mucho. Y, ya sabes, los que amamos el placer de escribir y recibir cartas, no nos podemos resistir a la curiosidad de ver qué hay dentro de cada sobre. ¡Es muy emocionante!
¿Sabes de qué trata el libro? Ésta es la historia de Álex y un dragón que ha encontrado en su casa. ¿Y tú sabes qué hay que hacer con un dragón? Álex recurre a la correspondencia para conseguir los consejos que necesita. Y aprende a cuidarlo, pero... ¿Crees que el mejor lugar para un dragón es una casa? Efectivamente.
Este cuento, divertido y tierno, nos habla de la amistad y la necesidad de afrontar la despedida.
El estilo de Emma Yarlett es fresco y sencillo. Disfrutarás con las texturas gráficas que nos recuerdan a los garabatos infantiles y verás, en cada página, recursos visuales sorprendentes. Es muy interesante cómo construye los espacios, ¡ya verás!
Espero recibir noticias tuyas.
P.D. He olvidado decirte una cosa: ¡me he encontrado un dragón en casa! Ahora no sé qué hacer... ¿Me das algún consejo?
Atentamente,
July 18, 2022
Adorable!!!!!!
September 20, 2022
Precioso!
July 8, 2024
A cute story about a boy who finds a dragon in his basement.
It includes 5 letters, in envelopes, that he gets in response to letters he has written asking for help, or events that have happened.
It includes 5 letters, in envelopes, that he gets in response to letters he has written asking for help, or events that have happened.
July 1, 2019
Fun and clever! Reminiscent of the Ahlberg's THE JOLLY POSTMAN. When a dragon shows up in your house, you likely need some advice on how to care for it. Advice letter after advice letter arrives. My 3-year-old grandson enjoyed the text of the story and pulling the letters out of the envelopes, but the letters were kind of long for the preschool set. So this will have to be book that grows with him.
June 12, 2020
Puiki, įtraukianti, su nuostabiomis iliustracijomis, kurias galima būtų kabinti ant sienos kaip paveikslus. Vaikams labai patiko ☺️
October 27, 2021
Ms. Yarlett delights readers again -- with her story, with her illustrations, and with her "5 Urgent Letters to Open." Highly recommended!
February 22, 2022
Väldigt mysig och roliga brev att öppna. Hade älskat denna så mycket som barn
April 16, 2023
Un coup de cœur absolu, c’était trop kiki 😭 c’est bourré d’humour, mignon et sans prise de tête. En plus avec toutes les petites lettres c’est interactif, j’adore
February 18, 2024
3,5 ✨
Eenvoudig verhaal (met moeilijke brieven) met grappige prenten.
Mijn favoriete detail is het adres: St.-Jorisbos
Eenvoudig verhaal (met moeilijke brieven) met grappige prenten.
Mijn favoriete detail is het adres: St.-Jorisbos
October 5, 2024
Muy chula la idea de las cartas ❤️
March 12, 2022
Love the little letters that are built into the book ❤
October 25, 2019
This book is quite fun to read. There are letters that come in the mail and it makes it all even more fun.
I do wish the letters had jokes that younger children enjoyed. I get some of the jokes but kids do not.
I do wish the letters had jokes that younger children enjoyed. I get some of the jokes but kids do not.
February 10, 2020
Doesn't quite achieve the charm of the Jolly Postman books, but I may also be biased in that regard. A bit of an anticlimactic ending (I think this could have been punched up), but still very fun and very appealing to kids.
April 7, 2025
My son loved this. Who doesn't like a story with dragons🤷♂️ good story, nice illustrations and really cool with the envelopes ans letters you can pull out and read.
I can imagine my son requesting this again.
I can imagine my son requesting this again.
April 14, 2019
Review by my 5 year old.
I love it!
My favorite part was the picture of the campfire.
It was super silly just like you promised, a Mom.
I love it!
My favorite part was the picture of the campfire.
It was super silly just like you promised, a Mom.
June 20, 2022
Alex discovers a dragon living in the basement of his house. The story is told through different letters to help the main character (Alex) solve his problem – owning a dragon. The letters are engaging and written with a hidden humorous tone. The illustrations are beautiful and also tell simple parts of the story - children can discuss what is happening through these different images. The letters act as a fantastic resource within the story which link the events together. The letters are written from different businesses which the main character asks for help and the children can guess who he is writing to from the problem faced. Each reply is presented in the form of a letter which can be removed from an envelope presented in the book. Children can see how to write a letter and the purpose of writing a letter. The story can be relatable for children by asking others for help when they have experienced a problem and need a solution. This can be used with an English lesson when looking at different styles of letter writing and receiving an appropriate response, whilst also looking at different language. Children could also create their own letters writing to Alex how they think he could look after the dragon – or the children could write advisory letters to other as to how to look after specific pets. This book would be a great class read or a guided read as children can interact with the book whilst the teacher models how to read through the different letters.
May 5, 2023
An incredible take on a traditional lift-the-flap book. Last Christmas I came across Santa Post by Emma Yarlett, and it was the most well considered and thoughtful Christmas lift-the-flap style of children's book that I had come across. Now, I have the dragon equivalent and life feels complete!
This book, alongside others by Emma Yarlett (no, I honestly don't know her but I am swiftly becoming a BIG fan of her work so it feels only fair to endorse it!), takes lift-the-flap and in my opinion a considerably lacking population of dragon based literature, to an entirely new level. The detail is the main selling point for me, and whilst this does mean you'd most likely need to be a reading assistant to your little reader as some of the dragon post is more challenging to read, it makes for a much more immersive reading experience.
In this story, Alex is a little boy who has a dragon - a big dragon - in his house. The dragon is taking some taking care of actually, and Alex is writing to all sorts of people to get some advice on how best to care for the dragon. The advice comes in the form of pull-out letters, each a little bit funnier than the next.
I adored this. I truly did. It's a keeper.
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
This book, alongside others by Emma Yarlett (no, I honestly don't know her but I am swiftly becoming a BIG fan of her work so it feels only fair to endorse it!), takes lift-the-flap and in my opinion a considerably lacking population of dragon based literature, to an entirely new level. The detail is the main selling point for me, and whilst this does mean you'd most likely need to be a reading assistant to your little reader as some of the dragon post is more challenging to read, it makes for a much more immersive reading experience.
In this story, Alex is a little boy who has a dragon - a big dragon - in his house. The dragon is taking some taking care of actually, and Alex is writing to all sorts of people to get some advice on how best to care for the dragon. The advice comes in the form of pull-out letters, each a little bit funnier than the next.
I adored this. I truly did. It's a keeper.
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2022
Dragon Post is told through a mixture of simple and compound sentences and letters that can be accessed from envelopes in the book. The pictures are used to add detail to the fairly simple sentences that are used. The letters are more complex in their nature and provide a lot more detail and more characters to the story. The letters offer advice to Alex on how to look after his dragon. There is a running theme through the book on how to look after something, in this case a unexpected pet that you might not know much about. It would be useful for children to have knowledge on how they have looked after something so that they can connect with this text. Also, A dragon is the unexpected pet in this book, so some understanding of what a dragon is would be useful so that children can gage why it would be hard to keep as a pet. Overall this was a great book to read and use with my year 1 class. It is accessible enough to be read independently, but provides stretch in the reading through the more complex letters. I used this as a class book and based many literacy lesson around this book.
March 15, 2023
Descobri este livro através da Poets and Dragons Bookshop há uns meses, e não resisti a adquiri-lo para oferecer a uma sobrinha querida. "Dragon Post" reforça o desejo máximo do imaginário de um rapaz, com todas as responsabilidades inerentes.
E se um dia chegássemos a casa para encontrar um Dragão?? Para além de enorme parceiro de brincadeiras, é preciso alimentá-lo, cuidar que não nos queime a casa toda e fazer pouco barulho para não incomodar os vizinhos...
e sendo uma criança, nada como ir pedindo ajuda a quem sabe (ou acha que sabe) sobre o assunto, que lhe respondem via cartas hilariantes interactivas (são retiradas dos envelopes). Ensinando empatia e a parceria das brincadeiras, Emma Yarlett traz-nos ilustrações deliciosas e uma história bastante divertida.
E se um dia chegássemos a casa para encontrar um Dragão?? Para além de enorme parceiro de brincadeiras, é preciso alimentá-lo, cuidar que não nos queime a casa toda e fazer pouco barulho para não incomodar os vizinhos...
e sendo uma criança, nada como ir pedindo ajuda a quem sabe (ou acha que sabe) sobre o assunto, que lhe respondem via cartas hilariantes interactivas (são retiradas dos envelopes). Ensinando empatia e a parceria das brincadeiras, Emma Yarlett traz-nos ilustrações deliciosas e uma história bastante divertida.
April 7, 2024
Voilà un album interactif fort amusant à lire et à manipuler. Il s'agit de l'histoire d'Alex, qui adore les dragons et qui en découvre un à sa porte. Mais comment prend on soin de ce gros lézard sympathique? Qu'est-ce que ça mange, où aime-t-il faire la sieste? Alex a donc demandé l'avis de plusieurs habitants de la ville pour le conseiller.
L'album est donc épistolaire, entre les lettres de question d'Alex et les lettres de réponses des habitants, le tout ponctué d'images rigolotes.
J'ai beaucoup aimé la forme, car on peut littéralement prendre les lettres dans nos mains! Et le dragon est vraiment mignon.
Une belle trouvaille.
Catégorisation: Album fiction britannique, littérature jeunesse débutante, 1er cycle primaire, 6-7 ans+
Note: 8/10
L'album est donc épistolaire, entre les lettres de question d'Alex et les lettres de réponses des habitants, le tout ponctué d'images rigolotes.
J'ai beaucoup aimé la forme, car on peut littéralement prendre les lettres dans nos mains! Et le dragon est vraiment mignon.
Une belle trouvaille.
Catégorisation: Album fiction britannique, littérature jeunesse débutante, 1er cycle primaire, 6-7 ans+
Note: 8/10
November 27, 2019
Alex finds a dragon under the stairs in his house. When he faces hiccups in his budding draco-human relationship, he sends out letters to get advice, and gets letters (which readers can open and read) in return.
I haven't seen such a delightful, epistolary-filled book about dragons since Graeme Base's Discovery of Dragons. This is much shorter than Base's book, but still plenty of fun. Take special note of the names of the people who write Alex letters, they often include a clever (or groan-worthy) pun. The situations Alex and his dragon face are funny and handled splendidly. Hand this to your favorite dragon lover and humor fan.
I haven't seen such a delightful, epistolary-filled book about dragons since Graeme Base's Discovery of Dragons. This is much shorter than Base's book, but still plenty of fun. Take special note of the names of the people who write Alex letters, they often include a clever (or groan-worthy) pun. The situations Alex and his dragon face are funny and handled splendidly. Hand this to your favorite dragon lover and humor fan.
January 13, 2021
Los libros para niños que tienen dragones, suelen ser geniales y éste no es la excepción.
El bello detalle de añadir cartas, además de ser interactivo, añade bastante interés y estética al libro, ¡misivas! ¡para niños! ¡de un niño! ¡y un dragón!
Colores vibrantes, frases cortas, y además un par de entrañables personajes. El final no me terminó de gustar, lo sentí "light" (lo cual no funciona luego de haber leído las misivas del carnicero y el departamento de seguridad) y creo que pudo haber tenido mayor impulso. Es mi opinión personal y realmente quiero animar a todo aquel que tenga hijos a que lea el libro.
O a quien tenga dragones....quién sabe....
El bello detalle de añadir cartas, además de ser interactivo, añade bastante interés y estética al libro, ¡misivas! ¡para niños! ¡de un niño! ¡y un dragón!
Colores vibrantes, frases cortas, y además un par de entrañables personajes. El final no me terminó de gustar, lo sentí "light" (lo cual no funciona luego de haber leído las misivas del carnicero y el departamento de seguridad) y creo que pudo haber tenido mayor impulso. Es mi opinión personal y realmente quiero animar a todo aquel que tenga hijos a que lea el libro.
O a quien tenga dragones....quién sabe....
January 11, 2024
I absolutely love picture books with interactive elements and I also love writing snail mail and sending out postcards.
This book combines those interests and this book is just right up my alley!
It comes with five letters that the main character receives after seeking advice on what to do with a dragon they discovered in their house.
The story is very endearing and heartwarming. Very well written and punny!
Illustrations are really cute and the letters are just wonderfully crafted!
The decorations are also very well thought off. Think letters with burned edges, animal bites, etc.
I was just smiling from page to page!!
A must read for fans of dragons and letters!
This book combines those interests and this book is just right up my alley!
It comes with five letters that the main character receives after seeking advice on what to do with a dragon they discovered in their house.
The story is very endearing and heartwarming. Very well written and punny!
Illustrations are really cute and the letters are just wonderfully crafted!
The decorations are also very well thought off. Think letters with burned edges, animal bites, etc.
I was just smiling from page to page!!
A must read for fans of dragons and letters!
January 13, 2025
We’ve owned this book for several years. It used to be a favorite of my son’s (back before anyone really tracked reading) and is now quickly becoming a favorite of my daughter’s.
We love the letters you have to take out of their envelopes to make the story more interactive and the grown ups appreciate the word plays like Fire Chief H.Y. Drant.
The story teaches about how sometimes, even though you want a thing really badly and want to hold on to someone/something, you really can’t possess someone and sometimes, depending on the circumstances, it’s best for everyone to be where they can get what they need.
A great story of friendship - and a reminder to send a letter sometimes.
We love the letters you have to take out of their envelopes to make the story more interactive and the grown ups appreciate the word plays like Fire Chief H.Y. Drant.
The story teaches about how sometimes, even though you want a thing really badly and want to hold on to someone/something, you really can’t possess someone and sometimes, depending on the circumstances, it’s best for everyone to be where they can get what they need.
A great story of friendship - and a reminder to send a letter sometimes.
January 4, 2019
Imagine discovering that you have a dragon living in the cupboard under your stairs? Alex knows just who to contact to get advice on how to care for his new dragon! Alex receives 5 urgent letters back for your kids to open and read, find out what Alex does with his surprise visitor!
My 6 year old daughter and 2 year old son loved this book, especially the when they were able to take the letters out of each envelope! Definitely recommend this adorable read! https://n7971.myubam.com/search?q=dra...
My 6 year old daughter and 2 year old son loved this book, especially the when they were able to take the letters out of each envelope! Definitely recommend this adorable read! https://n7971.myubam.com/search?q=dra...
July 7, 2019
I love this book! Thought this book was creative and innovative. I thought that the idea of finding a dragon living in your home is a standard creative story but, what I thought was fascinating was the inclusion of letters in said book. I thought the author's addition of letters for assistance on how to take care of a dragon was genius. Little ones reading the story saw the importance of correspondence and the letters where crafted well enough that they could understand them. I thought this was a wonderful way to convey the importance of the power of a handwritten letter. Bravo, Emma Yarlett!
November 13, 2019
One day, Alex finds a dragon inside his house. He really wants the dragon to stay, so he does the obvious thing and seeks advice from various experts. If you love dragons and books with real letters (inside real envelopes) inside books, then this is the book for you! The illustrations are delightful as is Alex's desire to take care of his dragon. This one is going in the Christmas stocking for a very lucky little boy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews