Ignis

What good is a fire-breathing dragon if he cannot breathe fire?  That was the question of this little dragon named Ignis.  He could run faster and jump higher than all the other dragons, but he was unable to breathe fire.  The book Ignis, is the tale of a little dragon who sets off to find his fire.  Everyone loved him for who he was, but he was unable to accept himself.  

Ignis longed to breathe fire like the other dragons.  He visited other animals to see if perhaps he belonged with them instead.  With each encounter he felt the fire inside him grow stronger.  

He met a little girl with whom he spent a week.  They had many great experiences and the flame in his heart grew even stronger.  He continued his search until he found the thing that would ignite the flame that was growing in his heart.

There have long been folktales about men and dragons.  This one is a sweet story that all can relate to.  The author said of this story, "It echoes everyone's need to discover identity and somewhere to belong" (Wilson, 2001).  
Galda, Cullinan, & Sipe (2010) explain that quality folklore should explore universal themes, preserve the structure of oral stories, and echo spoken language, with uncluttered plots, clearly defined conflicts, and decisive resolutions (p. 178, 184).  I feel like this book contains those features.  The telling of the tale is not in verse or a rhythmic style, so I don't know how easy the word by word retelling would be, but I feel that the story is one that is easily reworded without losing meaning of the storyline.  

One of the best features of this book are the illustrations!  They really give a feel for the mood and setting of the story.  Even the title page gives an old, folklore-type feel to the story. It was also incredible to me how life-like the little girl in the story was portrayed.  This book was beautifully illustrated in watercolor paint.  

Reader Response Questions:
1. If Ignis had not gone on his journey do you think he would have found the spark that ignited his internal flame? Explain why you feel this way.
2. If everyone accepted him for just the way he was, why do you believe Ignis did not feel complete without the ability to breathe fire?
3. What are some ways you are trying to improve yourself even when the others around you don't require you to do so?

Motivational Activity
Think of someone you know who is trying to ignite the flame they have in themselves.  Write them a letter expressing some great qualities or abilities you see in them that they may not see in themselves. 

References

Galda, L., Cullinan, B., & Sipe, L. (2010). Literature and the child 
         (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.

Wilson, G., (2001). Ignis. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.