Children’s Rhyming Story Book

I was approached by a client who needed content for a children’s book. Ideally, they were looking for someone who could write the story and illustrate the book. I told them quite honestly that, although I am creative and love sketching, I was quite unable to do illustrations for a children’s book but would love to still be involved with the content.

Putting my artistic inabilities aside and recognising my creative writing abilities they gave me the content portion of the project. They needed a rhyming story of 400 words divided over 10 pages. Each page had four lines of text comprising approximately 40 words and one illustration, as the book is aimed at 3 to 5 year-olds. They also wanted me to write a summary.

Draco’s Mouthwash

Summary

When Tony finds a lonely dragon he doesn’t hesitate to take him home. At first his family is happy to let him live in the barn; until they smell his dragon breath. It looks like Draco will have to go back to where he comes from.

Luckily the story has a happy ending when Tony’s mom comes up with a plan. The whole family gets involved with cleaning Draco’s teeth; leaving his breath minty fresh, and meaning he can stay.

1

Little boys and dragons can be the best of friends.
This is where the story starts, we hope it never ends.

Tony found a dragon that had no kith or kin.
The dragon was really lonely and happy to move in.

2

Tony named him Draco, after the dragon in a book.
His parents and his sister came to take a look.

Dad marvelled at his scales; Sister loved his eyes.
Mum said he can stay in the barn and asked him if he flies.

3

Draco was so happy to see that he was liked.
He purred and preened his body until his scales spiked.

He tilted his head to nuzzle everyone on the cheek.
They covered their noses with their hands and all said, “Eeek!”

4

Poor Draco’s breath was smelly as a dirty drain.
He looked confused by their stance and tried his trick again.

“No, no, Draco.” Tony said, as the dragon’s mouth drew near.
“Your breath is quite horrendous, I cannot breathe I fear.”

5

Draco and Tony looked at Mum, would she kick him out?
Mum looked perplexed and Tony thought she was going to shout.

“I cannot have that stinky-stink living in the barn.
The neighbours will surely smell it and raise the alarm.”

6

Draco hung his head, so sad, and Tony did the same.
Steam escaped from Draco’s nose as tears mixed with flame.

Mum saw the boy and the dragon looking so blue.
She decided to think of something good that she could do.

7

“Draco, stay.” Mother said. “Father, come with me.”
Tony smiled and said, “Draco, just wait and see.”

Mum sent Dad off to the store to buy a list of things.
Sister and Tony spent some time admiring Draco’s wings.

8

Dad returned with brush and broom and groceries in a bag.
Mum filled up a giant tub with water and a rag.

Toothpaste, mint and Epsom salts went into a bowl.
Tony mixed it together with a wooden pole.

9

Draco opened up his mouth so they could reach his teeth.
They worked to clean everywhere, even underneath.

At first the smell of stinkiness made them want to choke.
But the family worked as a team to scrub, wipe and soak.

10

Then came the final rinse and Draco smiled and purred.
He went to nuzzle Tony and no-one said a word.

“Oh Draco, you smell minty fresh!” Is all that he could say.
Now that he smells so lovely the dragon can surely stay.

The End

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