Drago's Commitment:
The 'Why?' of the work
At Drago's Dreamland, we are committed to offering beautiful children's books, games, and merchandise that ignite the imagination and contribute to the emotional well-being of children. We offer experiences that excite the child's wonder and imagination to build habits of connection and deep engagement towards the world and learning.
We believe children need:
Emotional Wellbeing and Growth through real life experiences and real connection
There is so much complex learning that happens for children when they are playing with friends, connecting with family, being in nature, or working with their hands. Too much media leads to missed opportunities! At Drago's Dreamland we have tailored games and products that help children develop a 'can do attitude' with sensitivity.
Literacy Learning through Imaginative Play
At Drago's Dreamland we use imagination to capture to the child's focus and engagement. Literacy skills are practiced in a fun, social context. Playing Drago's Dreamland helps create positive habits of engagement and stamina for learning.
Slow Art for Fast Times
Drago's Dreamland hatched thirty years ago, and has been a passion ever since. The stories came from a millennia of time, based on ancient multicultural mythology. The vast selection of stories were morphed (slowly) to suit Drago's history. No rush. Never hurry. The hand painted gauche technique is also a slow focussed precess. Drago's style is influenced by Medieval art: naive and bold, using picture symbolism to communicate. Drago puts time, care and love into everything.
Developing the Will to Work through joyful purposeful action
'How can I help' is music to many people's ears. This statement reflects a community that looks out for each other and is willing to work to better themselves and others. We can all bring our individual skills and ideas to the world if we have a strong will to overcome obstacles, do our best, or simply take a risk and give it a go. Drago is committed to encouraging children to focus and persevere, because when you get into it: it is fun!
Drago's Story:
The 'How?' behind the work
"It is the game I wish
I had as a child"
Artist/Teacher Emily Dallwitz
talks about the process:
As a child, I found reading and writing frustrating, no matter how hard I tried. I also found it hard to focus since it was thwarted with failure. At school I lived in a dream world. Drago's Dreamland is a response to this. It is the game I wish I had as a child. I now understand that if learning is wrapped in imagination, beauty and story I may have been more able to focus and learn. Include social activities and I would have been laughing. But I I struggled with dyslexia and didn't pass high school.... However through my love of art I achieved a Visual Arts degree, and began investigating philosophy and mythology. Upon graduation and pregnant with my fist child, the idea of Drago's Dreamland came into my imagination. Fuelled by a love of mythology and Joseph Cambell's ideas of the archetype, the board game was created. There after it has been a favourite past time, and often an insatiable passion
The game of course developed slowly. The story line, characters and gameplay grew with many friend's help and many children playing it. I had many skills to learn to make it happen. I studied a Masters of Illustration to get my graphic style sorted. I did writing for children courses and business courses. I researched libraries of books on world mythogy to find an imaginative story line with substance. To earn a living I worked in a classroom support role, teaching remedial spelling (more helpful skills to learn). Eventually I went back to university, to earn my teaching qualification. I then passionately taught for 10 years in a Waldorf School, and Drago had to rest and watch from a distance.
But recently I took long service leave, and Drago woke up! He had grown more scales. I started painting the Dragon Alphabet and finalising the game designs, printing and business plan. There is still work to be done and many components of the idea that I'm still sorting out. But also, I'm still finding it a wonderful source of inspiration, love and joy! I hope with all my heart that children find joy, courage and nourishment through playing the game (and hopefully a few adults have a laugh as well).
