Luma and the Grumpy Dragon

Leah Mohammed's Luma and the Grumpy Dragon is a cosy, funny story for 6 year olds about a pet dragon who is NOT happy about his owner's new friend.

What happens

Luma's pet Timir looks like an ordinary grey puppy to everyone else. But when it's just Luma, or her nani next door, he's a little dragon with a purple flame. He talks too (though only Luma and Nani can understand him).

Today Luma's new school friend Ella is coming over to play. Timir has already decided he doesn't like her. He hasn't even met her!

Ella has already asked for the purple teacup, and purple is HIS colour. There are going to be peanut butter sandwiches, and peanut butter is too sticky. And after lunch Luma and Ella are off to a soft play centre where dogs (and dragons) aren't allowed.

So Timir sulks. He kicks his toys out of bed. He scatters the teddies Luma has lined up for a tea party. Then the dice start disappearing from the board games.

But then things start getting stranger. Little shimmery bubbles float past Luma's nose. Timir's eyes flash into diamond shapes. And he starts grabbing everything in sight and saying "Mine". Is this still just a grumpy dragon, or is something else going on?

Little readers will probably love how babyish and loveable Timir is. He wants "more snuggles" and "three teaspoons" of marmalade on his muffin. His bottom lip wobbles when he's in trouble. Anyone with a little brother or sister will recognise the jealousy straight away.

Luma is lovely too. She's patient with Timir, even when he's being very naughty, and she's desperate for her friend and her pet to get on. It's a kind, simple way into those big feelings about sharing someone you love.

Nani's birthday needs sorting out too. Zayan, Nani's own dragon, has gone missing, and he always turns up for her birthday. So Luma and Timir go looking for him.

What to read next

If your reader falls for Timir, go back to Luma and the Pet Dragon. That's where Luma wakes up on her seventh birthday expecting to pick a rescue puppy and ends up with something much more surprising.