Cedric the Dragon loves his place in the Auckland Zoo (NZ), where children can climb all over him.
One day he meets a girl called Tig who tells Cedric he is,
“…a spectacular dragon.”
They are chatting when a lizard arrives, accusing Cedric of being,
“…a pretend dragon.”
Other animals join in, making Cedric uncomfortable, despite Tig sticking up for him.
Cedric decides to leave Auckland Zoo home, with Tig along for the ride. She tells them all before he leaps into the sky with her on his back, that they don’t deserve him!
It’s not long before young zoo visitors come looking for their favourite dragon. They ask the zoo keepers where he’s gone, and all are left wondering whether he will ever return? How will they find him again?
This beautifully illustrated book will be a great read in kindys and classrooms alike.
Discussions about feelings, teasing or even bullying can be launched after reading, along with questions asked about how Cedric was treated and how he might be feeling?
The Dragon at the Zoo is a thought provoking story set in Auckland (NZ), with the Sky Tower and the Harbour Bridge also starring in a dragon’s escape. New Zealand birds are here too – coming to the rescue.
Author – Melanie Koster
Illustrator – Craig Phillips
Picture Book
Find more books about Dragons here
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(2026, Scholastic NZ, Dragons, Animals, Bullying, Teasing, Auckland Zoo, Aotearoa New Zealand, Native Birds, Rescue)