Vicki Schoen

Dary Dragon Can't Go Home Vicki Schoen

Dary Dragon Can't Go Home is a picture book for the youngest victims of the opioid epidemic--and other forms of addiction. He wants to go home and is sad and angry that he can't. Granny Dragon explains to him, that just like he has to follow rules in school, adults also have to follow rules. His parents broke one. They put something in their bodies that makes it hard for them to take good care of him. Dary wonders why they would do that--maybe they don't love him. Granny assures him the situation is not his fault, that she loves him very much, and that she will take care of him as long as his parents need her to. Dary wonders if that will be forever and is told maybe, that Granny doesn't know the answer. Dary is sad, but Granny stays with him until he goes to sleep. The epilogue assures the reader that Dary makes new friends, eventually sleeps well, and is happy. A final page for the adult reading the book gives statistics on how many children are in Dary's situation and a brief story about a gymnast, Simone Biles, who was reared by her grandparents. Depending on the child's age, it can be read or summarized for the child.