Jasmines So Fussy! (Dragon School) by Judith Heneghan

This charming dragon tale offers a gentle lesson in social-emotional learning through the story of Jasmine, a selective young dragon who struggles with trying unfamiliar things. The narrative cleverly weaves manners education into an accessible fantasy story, using colorful dragon school illustrations that will captivate early readers. Children will recognize Jasmine's reluctance from their own experiences with new foods or activities, making the emotional journey feel authentic and relatable. The thoughtful inclusion of a vocabulary-building glossary supports emerging reading skills while reinforcing the story's core messages about openness and flexibility.

What sets this picture book apart is how it transforms abstract concepts about social behavior into concrete, child-friendly scenarios within the dragon school setting. The story demonstrates rather than preaches, showing Jasmine's gradual discovery that expanding her comfort zone leads to more enjoyment and connection with others. Parents seeking books that address picky eating or resistance to new experiences will find this particularly valuable, as will educators looking for classroom read-alouds about growth mindset. Young children will absorb the important message about adaptability through Jasmine's colorful dragon world, making this both an entertaining storytime choice and a subtle character-building tool.