When I first began writing DragonBoy Kaden Brown, I thought about the countless young readers I’ve met who face emotions that seem larger than life—feelings that bubble up out of nowhere and don’t always have names. I wanted to give these readers, their parents, and their teachers a tool to spark conversations, foster emotional literacy, and inspire courage. Through Kaden, the bright, imaginative hero of my story, I hoped to create something relatable, empowering, and magical.
Meet My Inspiration—Kaden Brown
Kaden Brown holds a special place in my heart. He’s kind, creative, and intelligent, yet he wrestles with challenges that I think so many young readers will recognize. When Kaden’s family moves away from his tight-knit community to a new town, his world turns upside down. He must tackle big changes at school and at home while trying to make sense of the emotions that swirl inside him—sadness, frustration, and even anger.
But Kaden isn’t just a boy navigating life’s ups and downs. He has a secret. When those emotional storms become too overwhelming, he transforms into a dragon—a metaphor for the inner strength we carry, even if we don’t always recognize it just yet. Like Kaden, we all have a “dragon” inside us, a power that can either help us take flight or breathe fire when left unchecked. Helping young readers understand and tame that inner dragon is at the center of Kaden’s story and, honestly, a big part of why I felt compelled to write this book.
Themes That Anchor Kaden’s Journey
At its core, DragonBoy Kaden Brown is about courage, self-acceptance, and resilience. These themes are woven through every decision Kaden faces and every lesson he learns. Courage shows up when Kaden stands up to Jonathan, a classmate who tests his patience and kindness. It’s there when he confides in trusted adults like his parents and Mrs. Howard, his wise neighbor, about the challenges he’s going through.
Self-acceptance plays an equally powerful role in his growth. Through his dragon powers, Kaden begins to see that his emotions aren’t something to hide or fear. They’re an essential and beautiful part of who he is. Mrs. Howard, who has her own experience with dragon powers, helps Kaden understand that owning his emotions makes him unique—not weak—and gives him the tools to work with them instead of against them.
And, of course, resilience lies at the heart of it all. Kaden discovers that even in tough times, even when the world feels “too big,” the right people, mindset, and strategies can help us keep going. Young readers often face moments that shake their confidence, and I wanted Kaden’s story to show them that difficult situations are temporary, that their feelings are valid, and that they are never truly alone.
Representation and Its Power in Young Readers’ Literature
When I began writing DragonBoy Kaden Brown, I knew one thing for certain—Kaden needed to represent a perspective we don’t see enough of in young readers’ books. He is a Black boy, navigating emotions, friendships, and life, all while staying deeply connected to his family and culture. I wanted readers like Kaden—boys and girls of color—to see themselves reflected in his story, to feel that their experiences and imaginations matter just as much as anyone else’s.
Representation in young readers’ literature is essential. Every reader deserves to feel seen, valued, and capable of being the hero in their own adventure. I hope Kaden’s story is a small step toward giving more young readers, especially those who’ve felt underrepresented, the gift of seeing themselves.
What Kaden Teaches About Emotional Growth
Through Kaden’s eyes, I wanted to offer parents, teachers, and caregivers strategies that can help readers learn to identify and process emotions. While the dragon powers give Kaden a magical way to represent emotional storms, the story also incorporates practical, real-world approaches that anyone can use.
- Teaching Emotional Vocabulary
One of the challenges Kaden faces is naming how he feels when he’s overwhelmed. I’ve seen how powerful it can be to teach young readers the language to describe their inner world. A feelings chart, a relatable story (like Kaden’s), or even open conversations at the dinner table can give readers the tools to articulate their emotions. - The Power of Listening
Mrs. Howard is a listener, an observer, and a safe space. I wrote her character to remind adults of the importance of simply being present. Instead of fixing or dismissing readers’ feelings, active listening sends a powerful message that their experiences matter. It’s something we can all strive to do better. - Modeling Calmness
To help Kaden face his challenges, his father introduces the A.C.T. method:
Acknowledge the challenge.
Calm your mind and body.
Talk to a trusted adult for support.
This simple three-step process showed how even small tools could make a world of difference. I hope parents and teachers can bring ideas like these into their homes and classrooms to empower young readers when they feel stuck. - Creating Safe Environments
Whether it’s as simple as setting aside quiet check-in time at home or crafting “calm corners” in classrooms, young readers thrive when they feel emotionally safe. Each scene in DragonBoy Kaden Brown explores the importance of providing spaces for readers to express emotions without worry or judgment. - Reframing Challenges
Mrs. Howard advises Kaden to “turn negatives into positives,” a message I learned in my own childhood. Whether it’s brainstorming solutions together or viewing failures as stepping stones, we can support young readers in seeing adversity as a chance for growth.
My Inspiration
People often ask me why I wrote DragonBoy Kaden Brown. The simplest answer? I wanted to give readers, especially those navigating big feelings and major life changes, a character they could relate to. I wanted them to know that it’s okay to feel deeply, to struggle with emotions, or to seek help. And I wanted them to see how much strength they already hold inside.
But it’s more than that. This story is also a love letter to the beauty of diversity and the power of family and community. Kaden is shaped by the love of his parents, his “GPs” (grandparents), and role models like Mrs. Howard. I wrote this character in the hope that every young reader, regardless of their background, will see that the people who love you are always there to help you tame your dragons.
Taming Dragons and Growing Leaders
DragonBoy Kaden Brown is more than a story about taming dragons. It’s about building the emotional strength, resilience, and courage young readers need to face the world as kind, confident leaders. My hope is that it will inspire readers to harness the power of their imaginations, to lean into the support of those who care for them, and to believe that they can rise above any challenge.
To the parents, teachers, and caregivers—thank you for helping me share stories like Kaden’s. Together, we can continue to equip our young readers to face their dragons and soar.