LITTLESTORY MAGIC

John & Julia’s Impossible Days

The Dragon in the Dressing-Up Box

John and Julia look into a little box theatre where green dragon Tumble stands beside two toy rabbits.

A magnificent dragon. A very unhelpful costume box.

Listen3:49Pictures12 illustrated pagesEnjoy itRead or listen together
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Written by J. Ladis & Haley Dell

A little look inside.

John and Julia find Tumble in a striped sock. He has promised two toy rabbits a show, but his crown, cloak and cardboard wings keep getting in the way. Perhaps the adventure needs dressing up instead.

Read the pictures and words together, or let the cast tell the story while you turn the pages.

From the book

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John and Julia open a dressing-up box as Tumble peeks from a striped sock.
John opened the dressing-up box. A crown bounced out. A velvet cloak followed. Then a small green dragon poked his head from a striped sock. "This is not my hat," he said. "Who are you?" asked Julia. "Tumble. And I need an adventure."
John places a crown between Tumble's horns; two toy rabbits wait in two tiny chairs.
Inside the box stood a little stage with a little doorway. Two toy rabbits waited in tiny chairs. "I've promised them a show," said Tumble. "What are you going to be?" asked John. Tumble stood tall. "Magnificent." John set the crown between his horns. "A king?"

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Good to know.

Can we read without narration?

Yes. Turn the pages and read the words together. Narration is optional and begins only when you press play.

What can we download?

Read, listen and keep the story. Find the PDF, EPUB and complete read-aloud under Downloads for grown-ups at the end of the reader.

How should we choose a story?

Try the pictures, the opening and the voices. Pointing, listening, joining a sound or talking about a picture are all ways to share it. Choose the pace and level of help that suit your child.

For parents: story notes & sources

Dress an adventure

What could a sock become next? Offer a box, soft cloth or a toy, and follow your child's idea for a short adventure. Tumble's joke is that the same objects can play different parts.

Make-believe materials

Tumble is an imagined dragon. With a velvet sea, a sock island and two toy rabbits, everyday props become a rescue adventure.

By J. Ladis and Haley Dell. Published by Little Story Magic. Copyright © 2026 J. Ladis and Haley Dell. All rights reserved.

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