I stumbled upon 'My Father's Dragon' while browsing for bedtime stories to read to my niece, and it turned out to be an absolute gem! The whimsical adventure of Elmer Elevator rescuing a baby dragon from Wild Island is packed with just the right mix of excitement and heart. Ruth Stiles Gannett’s writing feels timeless—simple enough for young readers to follow but never condescending. The black-and-white illustrations by Ruth Chrisman Gannett add so much charm, sparking kids’ imaginations without overwhelming them. My niece was glued to every chapter, especially the clever ways Elmer outsmarts the wild animals.
What really stands out is how the book balances fantasy with relatable themes like bravery and problem-solving. Elmer doesn’t rely on magic; he uses everyday items like chewing gum and lollipops to tackle obstacles, which makes the story feel grounded. It’s short enough to hold a child’s attention (perfect for ages 6–9) but leaves room for discussions about kindness and resourcefulness. I’ve since recommended it to friends, and their kids all adore it—especially the hilarious scenes with the cranky tigers. If you’re looking for a classic that hasn’t lost its sparkle, this one’s a winner.
As a librarian who’s seen countless kids’ books come and go, I’d hand 'My Father’s Dragon' to any young reader in a heartbeat. Its episodic structure makes it ideal for read-aloud sessions, and the pacing keeps kids engaged without feeling rushed. The story’s vintage feel (it was published in 1948!) might seem old-fashioned at first glance, but its humor and creativity are totally fresh—like when Elmer distracts a rhinoceros with toothpaste. Parents will appreciate the lack of heavy themes; it’s pure, lighthearted adventure with a satisfying ending. Plus, it’s part of a trilogy, so if kids fall in love with it, there’s more to explore!
2026-03-18 21:27:47
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The Dragon Thief
Cooper
10
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The dragons and royals are at war. Dragons have power and the royals want it to cement their rule in their kingdoms. Rather than creating a bond between the two, the royals have been stealing dragon eggs, hoping they will bond with the dragon once it hatches, allowing the royal to become a dragon rider. However, there is a thief among them, someone who is stealing the dragon eggs and returning them to the dragons. Someone who, when found, will be put to death.
Princess Skylar is the daughter of King Augustus. Her father has been hunting dragon eggs for years. Unbeknownst to him, Skylar is the thief that he is searching for. She does not agree with stealing dragon eggs from the mothers who make their nests away from the other dragons, making themselves vulnerable to attack. Her betrothed, Prince Kenneth, also supports stealing dragon eggs in the hope of bonding with a dragon and making his kingdom stronger.
Ryuki is a dragon rider. He bonded with his dragon, Bynjym, a year ago when he stumbled across him in the wild. The bond between dragon and rider is sacred. Ryuki and other dragon riders believe that it should never be forced. The riders fight against the royals who steal dragon eggs, working to keep them from being able to access the eggs, or fighting to get the eggs back to their dragon mothers.
What will happen when Ryuki realizes that Skylar is a royal like no other? Can Skylar keep her secret from her father, continuing to work inside the palace to take the stolen eggs back to their mothers? What will happen when Skylar realizes that her feelings for Ryuki are much stronger than her feelings for Prince Kenneth? Find out in The Dragon Thief.
As the son of Zephyr and Avani, Ancalagon is the last pure dragon. Because of his time in a scientist’s laboratory, he not only has the air and earth elements, but also fire and water, making him the only dragon in history to have all four elements. However, the scientist created a flaw in Ancalagon's DNA. If he isn’t claimed by his mate, he could lose his humanity.
Eliane is the daughter of Oliver, the scientist who tortured Ancalagon. She, herself, was experimented on, never seeing the outdoors until the night the dragons came for Ancalagon. When Ancalagon tried to rescue her, Oliver snatched her away and for months he tortured her in the same way that he'd tortured Ancalagon. Eventually, Eliane believed that Ancalagon left her to suffer at her father's hands.
When she finally escapes, Eliane runs, trying to hide from all supernaturals. She begins having blackouts, large periods of time where she has no recollection of what happens to her. It’s during one of these blackouts, that she meets Snow, another dragon. They become friends and begin helping each other, protecting each other from the bad hybrids who are hunting them.
When Snow shifts, telling Elianne that his name is Iniko, he leaves a strange mark on her, his image over her heart. It forges a deeper connection between them and when the bad hybrids capture him, she runs to the elemental dragons for help.
What will happen when Ancalagon realizes that his brother has been claimed by his mate? How will Eliane react when she realizes that Ancalagon has been searching for her all this time. Will she be able to heal his broken DNA and help him regain his humanity, or will she leave him, breaking what's left of Ancalagon?
Lily black was an ordinary girl, going about her days as usual… Before her seventeenth birthday things started to seem strange. Her mother and best friend were keeping secrets from her… snooping led to the truth, awakening her dragon, Sapphire, who had been locked away in the darkest parts of her mind. Not being able to believe what’s happening, Lily feels crazy, even after shifting into Sapphire's form. Betrayal and lies make Lily move away, meeting new people and her fated mate… Creed. The last alpha, king dragon.
They accept each other and plan on mating, until Lily's mother is captured by her deranged father, having to save her.
Getting caught in the crossfire.
Lily's father cannot find out she’s the last female dragon… bad things would happen.
Come find out what happens along Lily and Creed's journey, will Danny Further prevail? Or will Lily succeed instead.
The world has changed. All species have moved to their own island. Everyone is flourishing in their new environment except for humans. They are being bred as slaves for the rest of the world. The only problem is Samatha is a born a dragon, but only her breeder knows. She is given medicine to suppress her dragon side. That is until her new master decided to stop giving her, her medicine. Now she needs to learn how to be a queen to the dragon world.
"Jade!" He said in a commanding voice.
"You want me to be a princess and set me up for price. But dad, you don't get it." She paused.
"I belong to the other side of the tale, I love Dragon!" She shouted at her father and turned around to walk away.
Her words skipped the breath of a person. A person who never thought someone might love what he is.
Yes, he is a dragon.
A tragic accident during his childhood gave him a new life, a life gifted by the dragons. He owns their power which saved him from death, but the same power distanced him from the world of today.
A century with flying planes would never accept a flying dragon; that is what he thought until a loud and clear voice declared her love towards dragons.
~~~~~
"I don't know you." Jade pushed him back..
He regret to accept her offer. He never thought this is how they would meet. And now his task was the hurdle between them.
He took a step towards her one after another. She gazed at him in confusion. Wiping out the space between them, he stood exactly in front of her. As she looked at him, his face changed. Her eyes widened at the familiar face.
She gulped and stepped back. "Why you?" she said in a low voice.
*******
Jade Shaw Halston, a rebellious daughter of a great business man. Love is what she crave for while her father wants money.
Alden Ryuu Greyson, a man with the power of a dragon, who fell for the person for the first time ever in his life just because she loves dragons.
Will their love succeed or hunt by the tracker?A mysterious tracker that no one knows.
Since The Fires of Alira one thousand five hundred years ago, dragons have lived separate from the other races in Midgar. They rarely make contact with others, unless in terms of conflict.
Eleonora is the descendant of the dragon sovereign, and will one day assume the throne of the Perilous Horde herself. The horde, despite years of murky conflict, forges an alliance with the human kingdom of Samirya located in the northern region. It is no longer a matter of petty bickering. Now, with the eve of a Great War looming over them, both groups lives depend on a truce.
As conflict thickens and land disputes grow increasingly more bitter, the chieftain of the Perilous Horde makes a final desperate move to unite the two worlds: the dragons will send an ambassador to protect the humans capital city of Mimmgar from the oncoming invasion.
And who should be that ambassador be but Eleonora?
Eleonora just hopes to complete that task quickly so she can return home, but soon finds that the humans are nothing like she expected. Forming an unforeseen connection with the human king, and becoming captivated by a young blacksmith, she begins to question everything she's ever known and learns that her homeland may have some terrible secrets of its own.
Book one of A Dragon’s Legacy.
Reading 'My Father's Dragon' feels like stepping into a cozy, whimsical dream—it's perfect for kids around 6 to 9 years old. The story’s simplicity and playful illustrations make it accessible, but there’s enough cleverness in the plot to keep older siblings or parents hooked too. My niece, who’s seven, adored the imaginative rescue mission and the quirky animals. She even started drawing her own maps of Wild Island afterward!
What I love about this book is how it balances adventure with gentle humor. The protagonist’s resourcefulness—using everyday items like lollipops and hair ribbons to outsmart creatures—is brilliant for sparking kids’ creativity. It’s also short enough to read aloud in one sitting, which is great for bedtime. Honestly, it’s one of those rare stories that feels timeless, like it could’ve been written yesterday or a hundred years ago.
If you loved the whimsical adventure and heartwarming charm of 'My Father's Dragon', you might enjoy 'The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet' by Eleanor Cameron. It has that same sense of childlike wonder and imaginative journey, but with a sci-fi twist—two boys build a spaceship and meet tiny aliens! The writing feels cozy yet exciting, like a bedtime story that sparks daydreams. Another gem is 'The Rescuers' by Margery Sharp—it’s about brave mice on a mission, full of cleverness and gentle humor. The old-fashioned illustrations add to its nostalgic vibe, much like the cozy pencil sketches in 'My Father's Dragon'.
For something more modern but equally magical, try 'The Wild Robot' by Peter Brown. It’s got that same balance of simplicity and depth, following a robot who learns to survive in the wilderness with the help of animal friends. The themes of kindness and belonging echo Elmer Elevator’s bond with the dragon. And if you’re into quirky animal tales, 'The Tale of Despereaux' by Kate DiCamillo is a must—tiny hero, big heart, and a story that feels like a fairy tale spun from moonlight and courage. What I adore about these books is how they all carry that timeless spark—stories you’d read curled up under a blanket, feeling like you’ve stumbled into a secret world.
My niece absolutely devoured 'Dragon Song' last summer, and I ended up reading it too out of curiosity. It's got this magical, lyrical quality that reminds me of classic children's fantasy like 'The Neverending Story,' but with more diverse characters. The themes of friendship and courage are woven in beautifully through the protagonist's journey with the dragon hatchling. There are a few tense moments—like when the villain threatens the dragon—but nothing graphic or overly scary. The illustrations are stunning, too, which kept my 8-year-old niece completely hooked. She started humming melodies from the 'songs' mentioned in the book for weeks!
That said, younger kids who are sensitive to fictional conflicts might need some reassurance during the darker chapters. The story doesn’t shy away from emotions like loneliness or betrayal, but it always circles back to hope. I’d say it’s perfect for ages 7–12, especially if they already love mythical creatures. My niece even wrote her own short story inspired by it—total core memory material.