Zog and the Flying Doctors
By Julia Donaldson
What's special about this book?
Imagine a world where dragons soar through the skies, and princesses swap their tiaras for stethoscopes! In 'Zog and the Flying Doctors', kids will be captivated by Princess Pearl's daring spirit and her journey to show that being a princess can mean helping others in extraordinary ways. Parents and educators will appreciate the book's empowering themes of self-discovery, teamwork, and breaking stereotypes, all beautifully wrapped in Julia Donaldson's delightful rhymes and Axel Scheffler's whimsical illustrations.
Read-aloud tips
Set the scene for 'Zog and the Flying Doctors' by creating a bright and cheerful reading nook that reflects the adventure of flying through the skies. Use an animated and playful tone while reading, especially during moments of excitement or when introducing the quirky characters like Zog and Princess Pearl. To engage your child further, pause at key moments and ask them how they think Princess Pearl might solve the problems she encounters, encouraging them to think creatively and interact with the story.
Discussion questions
- What are some of the things that Zog, Princess Pearl, and Sir Gadabout do as flying doctors?
- Have you ever wanted to help someone in a special way like Princess Pearl does? What did you do?
- If you could have any job in the world, like being a flying doctor, what would it be and why?
Fun activities
After reading 'Zog and the Flying Doctors', gather some paper and markers to create your very own 'helping heroes' poster! Encourage your child to draw Zog, Princess Pearl, and Sir Gadabout, and then add drawings of themselves as a helping hero too. They can think about what kind of help they would offer to others and write a short description underneath their pictures. This activity not only sparks creativity but also reinforces the book's themes of kindness, courage, and the importance of helping others in unique ways.