Again!

While younger children will enjoy the humour and rhythm, this book can also be used with older children to spark deeper conversations around emotional regulation, consequences, and finding safer ways to express big feelings.

What the Story is About

Cedric, a young dragon, loves his favourite story so much that he wants to hear it again. And again. And again. But when the grown-up dragon - clearly exhausted - refuses, Cedric’s frustration builds… until it bursts out, quite literally, in flames. The final page is a startling twist: a hole burnt through the book itself. Funny at first glance, it becomes a moment to pause and reflect - especially when we remember that this was Cedric’s favourite story.

Why This Book for SEL?

This book holds up a mirror to moments of frustration and emotional overflow that children know all too well. Cedric’s feelings are real and relatable. But the way he reacts - burning his own beloved book - invites a powerful conversation: what do we risk when we let our feelings control our actions? What happens when we take out our anger on things - or people - around us?

Again! gently opens the door to talk about emotional regulation without preaching. It allows children to see the feeling and the consequence side by side - and begin imagining better ways forward.

What to Notice in the Illustrations

Children are often familiar with dragons and fire-breathing - through stories, cartoons, or local tales. It’s part of what draws them into this book. But alongside the excitement, the illustrations quietly offer something more: a window into what big emotions feel like when they start to take over. That’s the beauty of this story - it uses fantasy to help children recognise something very real inside themselves.

Look out for:
– The changing illustrations as Cedric’s emotions intensify
– His expressions and body language on each page
– The final burnt page - what might he be feeling now?

Deeper Reflections for the Teacher

Cedric’s meltdown offers a rich entry point to talk about emotional regulation - how we feel emotions, how we express them, and what happens afterward.

Especially meaningful is the fact that Cedric destroys something he treasures. There is regret, though it’s never spelled out. That’s exactly where reflection can begin.

You might explore:
– What does it feel like to lose control?
– Can we make things right after we’ve hurt something or someone?
– What could Cedric do differently next time?

Some children believe that feeling angry is “bad.” This book helps you gently remind them: all feelings are okay. What matters is how we respond to them - and how we repair when we make mistakes.

Discussion Prompts

Ages 4–6

– What do you think Cedric was feeling before he breathed fire?
– How do you think he felt after the book got burnt?
– Have you ever felt like Cedric?

Ages 6–11

– Do you think it is wrong to feel angry?
– How else could Cedric have expressed his anger?
– What might have helped Cedric calm down in that moment?
– What happens when we hurt something or someone in a moment of anger?
– Have you ever felt very angry and later wished you had reacted differently?
– What do you think Cedric would do if he had a chance to do it all over again?

Suggested Activities

1. “If I Were Cedric” – Role Play or Drawing

Invite students to act out or draw what Cedric could have done instead of burning the book. This gives space to imagine gentler ways to express anger.

For example:
– Cedric could have said out loud, “I’m angry!”
– He could have stomped his feet and said, “I want to hear it again!”
– He could have hugged the book, even if he couldn’t hear it again.
– He could have drawn his own version of the story.

Let children come up with their own endings too - this gives them a chance to practise responding rather than reacting.

2. Feelings Thermometer

Use Cedric’s shifting moods to create a “feelings thermometer” - from calm to restless to fiery.

Step 1: Page Hunt
Ask children to find the exact page where Cedric’s frustration begins. What changes in his face, body, or the way the story is told?

Step 2: Mapping the Feeling
Draw a large thermometer on chart paper with zones like:
Calm → Bothered → Irritated → Angry → Ready to explode
Mark Cedric’s changes along the way.

Step 3: Cooling Down Strategies
Ask:
– What do you think Cedric could have done to cool down?
– What helps you feel better when your anger starts to grow?
– In which of these stages do you think calming down is easier? And when is it harder?

3. Handling Big Feelings – Journal Prompt

Ask children to think about a time they felt very angry.
– What happened?
– What did they feel like doing?
– What did they actually do?

Then reflect together:
– Sometimes we feel like hitting, throwing, or breaking something - but that can hurt others or things they care about.
– What are some safer ways to let out big feelings?

They can draw or write about a strategy they’d like to try - taking deep breaths, walking away, squeezing a pillow, talking to someone.

4. Rewrite Cedric’s Story (Ages 8–11)

Invite older children to rewrite the ending of the book. Cedric still feels angry - but this time, he finds a safer way to express it.

They can write new pages, make a comic strip, or draw an alternate version. They could even write a letter from Cedric reflecting on what happened.

This helps children step into someone else’s shoes - and imagine kinder, calmer ways to handle strong emotions.

Science Meets SEL

Self-regulation is a skill that takes time and support to build. Cedric’s outburst mirrors what many children experience when they feel overwhelmed and don’t yet have the tools to manage those feelings.

According to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, young children’s brains are still learning how to pause, reflect, and choose a response. They need repeated, supportive opportunities to notice, name, and safely channel big emotions.

Stories like Again! help create those moments in a low-stakes, imaginative setting - making social-emotional learning real, relatable, and safe.

A Note for the Teacher

Let the children respond honestly - some may laugh, others may feel uneasy. That’s okay. The story doesn’t offer a tidy ending, and that’s its power. It creates room to feel, wonder, and reimagine.

Use this guide to encourage reflection, not correction. You’re not just reading a book - you’re holding space for children to learn about themselves and one another.