Big Feelings, Little Dragon: Dr. Lisa Alfrey Talks Baku: The Not So Angry Dragon

In Baku: The Not So Angry Dragon, author Dr. Lisa Alfrey takes young readers to the colourful Island of Zoi, where we meet Baku - a dragon with butterflies in his belly as he prepares for his second day of school. With warmth, humour and gentle reassurance, this beautifully illustrated story explores the emotions many children feel when facing new experiences, and how the support of family and teachers can make all the difference.

Lisa’s story is one of courage, kindness and self-discovery, showing that bravery sometimes comes in small, quiet moments - like asking for help, joining in a game, or simply walking through the school gates. In this Q&A, Lisa shares her inspiration for Baku’s journey, how she approached writing about anxiety in a relatable way, and what she hopes young readers take from the story.

What inspired you to write a story about a dragon who is nervous about going to school?

While working in London, I found there was an increase in my clients' concern over their children beginning school. These mums and dads had a great deal of anxiety around school drop-offs and pick-ups and how their children were managing at school. In my sessions with my clients, we would discuss the whole experience from their perspective and then unpack different ways that we could incorporate mindfulness to help ground themselves as well as their children. Starting school is a big step for some children, and it's important to be able to empower them (and their parents), as this transition has a lot of unknowns.

Many children experience anxiety when starting school. Why was it important to you to explore this in Baku: The Not So Angry Dragon?

I felt that if my book could help even 1 child, then it is more than worth it. My heart really went out to the little ones that found themselves in this big unknown, such as the preschool, nursery or day care. The idea came to me so suddenly, and I love to write creatively that it felt like an authentic way to help the children and their parents. I could see the anxiety and worry on the parent’s face when describing how their children were struggling, and it is such a big transition for a child.

How did you come up with the character of Baku and the Island of Zoi?

The name ‘Baku’ came out during a tickle fight; once I heard the name, all of a sudden I could just picture this little dragon. My partner is Greek, and the Greek language was an inspiration for the names that you can find in the story. For example, the translation of Zoi means ‘life’. I wanted the story to have layers of depth, and I found it came to me very naturally when writing the story.

The relationship between Baku, his mum and Miss Gelio is really heartwarming. How did you approach writing these supportive adult figures?

Thank you for saying how heartwarming their relationship is, as it was my wish that the story embodied warmth, empathy and compassion. With my client work, my approach aims to empower my clients to be more compassionate to themselves and others. Kindness, warmth and compassion are the key elements for me when I think of relationships with my loved ones.

Were there any personal experiences or memories that helped shape the story?

My personal experiences were not part of the shaping of the story, but if I reflect on my own experiences, I can remember feeling scared when I moved into primary school. The unknown of being at a slightly larger school than I was used to was difficult for me. This wasn’t in my mind during my writing process, but I feel that any new beginning at any age can evoke feelings of anxiety, discomfort, excitement and fear.

Baku’s feelings are so gently and realistically portrayed. How did you make sure the emotional side of the story felt authentic for young readers?

As a psychologist, I feel that my career and personal life have a huge emphasis on emotional language, wellbeing and awareness. For me, it felt natural, and the story flowed very naturally. Sitting with emotions, whether they are my emotions or my clients', is part of my everyday experience. After I had the idea, I sat down one night and wrote the story in about 30 minutes. I felt it was a story that I needed to write and share with the world.

The illustrations are full of colour and charm. What was it like seeing Baku’s world brought to life visually?

It felt so surreal to see Baku come to life. I had a lot of images in my mind about how it would look, and the illustrator did a fantastic job. I really wanted the Island of Zoi to look like Meteora, Greece, and it gave me goosebumps to see how the characters came alive. I was so impressed with the teacher's character, Miss Gelio; I felt she had so much personality!

What do you hope children who might be feeling worried about school will take away from Baku’s story?

I hope that Baku can show other children that they are not alone if they are feeling a lot of emotions around going to school. It would be an honour if even one child felt that the breathing technique or the grounding exercise was helpful. For me, Baku represents empowering each of us that we are able to help ourselves and each other regardless of our age.

What do you enjoy most about writing picture books for young children?

I love being able to creatively express myself. I feel empowered being able to write in a way that is fun and playful. I’ve written academically for such a large part of my life that creatively writing is a new avenue for me. Like all new things, I have learnt new elements about myself, and I look forward to writing more. I feel very passionately that psychoeducation should be accessible to all, and the more relatable and fun it is, the better.

How can readers find out more about you and Baku: The Not So Angry Dragon?

My website is www.lisaalfrey.co.uk, where I will be starting a blog in June 2025. I am writing more stories for Baku, and I hope to share his experiences with you in the future.