V.  Tame and Timid Dragons in Picture Books

  Tina's favorite picture book dragons

Alexander, Barbara. A Furnace for Castle Thistlewart. New York: Discover, 1985.
A lonely dragon (Heartburn) is taken in to fire a castle furnace in children’s imaginary adventure.

Anderson, Myra. A Tail of a Different Color. Illus. Debra Purchiaroni Jerome. Oakland, CA: DOT•Garnet, 1992. N. pag. Dragon brothers learn to overcome sibling rivalry and share.

Baumgart, Klaus. The Little Green Dragon Steps Out. New York: Hyperion, 1992.
One in a series of brief stories about Anna and a mischievous dragon who pops out of her book at night.

Baumgart, Klaus. Where Are You, Little Green Dragon? New York: Hyperion, 1993. The dragon has an icy adventure in the kitchen.

Baynton, Martin. Jane and the Dragon. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 1988. 32 pp. "Jane longs to be a knight, but everyone laughs at her. Everyone, that is, except the court jester, who lends her a small suit of armor to help make her dream come true. And when an enormous dragon swoops in and steals the prince, Jane quickly gets the chance to prove herself!" (publisher description). See Jane and the Dragon television series, below, and chapter books on page Dragons in Chapter Books and Novels.

Bergsma, Jody. The Little Wizard. Book 2 in DragonFire Trilogy. Bellevue, WA: Illumination Arts, 2000. 32 pp. "An ancient prophecy is fulfilled in the Kingdom of Lugin when young Kevin, while traveling to Royal City to ask Queen Arianna for healing water to cure his sick mother, discovers special powers within himself" (Worldcat). A small dragon serves as guide and friend.

Bertrand, Lynne. One Day, Two Dragons. Illus. Janet Street. New York: Clarkson Potter, 1992.
Two dragon kids (who look like dinosaurs) survive trip to doctor’s office.

Brandenberg, Franz. Leo and Emily and the Dragon. Illus. Aliki. New York: Greenwillow, 1984.
In two chapters, children go on a dragon hunt, take a net but never see a dragon except for a kitten’s eyes in their dark dining room. Babysitter lets them stay up and have hike indoors.

Burnside, Julian. Matilda and the Dragon. Illus. Bettina Guthridge. Allen & Unwin. A story in verse about a girl having tea with a friendly dragon. A Little Ark Book.

Christelow, Eileen. Henry and the Dragon.  New York: Clarion, 1984.
Child bunny Henry learns not to fear dreams and shadows that scare him after hearing a dragon story. The dragon barely appears; Henry catches his father in his dragon trap.

Clarke, Jane. Knight Time. Illus. Jane Massey. London: Red Fox, 2008. "Every night, when their daddies tuck them in, Little Knight dreams of fierce knight-eating dragons . . . and Little Dragon dreams of dangerous dragon-slaying knights. But one stormy night, they make an astonishing discovery – and night-time in the time of knights and dragons is never the same again! A wonderfully reassuring bedtime story for little ones with a fabulous foldout, flaps and other surprises inside!" (book description)

Donnison, Polly. William the Dragon. New York: Coward, McCann, 1973. [author-illus. age 11]
Lady Wilmount finds an egg, keeps dragon as a pet, buys it a coat from Harrod’s, etc.

Dragon Tales. An animated PBS television series about children who travel at the beginning of each episode to a land apart to have adventures with friendly dragons. Books include the following.

Fontes, Justine, and Jeffrey Scott. Emmy's Dream House. Illus. Jan Gerardi. Jellybean Books Just for Preschoolers. New York: CTW Books/Random House, 2000. "When Emmy and Max travel to Dragon Land to build a tree house Emmy wants everything done her way, and her brother and their friends feel left out and angry" (Worldcat).

Trimble, Irene, and Bob Carrau. Cassie Loves a Parade. Illus. Don Williams. New York: CTW Books/Random House, 2000. On the theme of disappointment.

Trimble, Irene, and Jeffrey Scott. Max and the Missing Pony. Illus. Keith Batcheller. Jellybean Books Just for Preschoolers. New York: CTW Books/Random House, 2000.

Ehrlich, Amy. Baby Dragon. Illus. Will Hillenbrand. New York: Random House, 2008. "Baby Dragon knows he must wait for his mother by the red fern. He knows she'll be back by morning. So he counts his claws, draws in the sand, takes a nap, and otherwise bides his time, never budging even when friends coax him to run off and play. But as night falls, Baby Dragon starts to worry. What if his mother doesn't come back? Should he climb on sly Crocodile's back and try to find her? Blending just the right amount of excitement and apprehension, this deeply satisfying story confronts a child's common fear, and offers the ultimate comfort" (publisher summary).

Ellery, Tom and Amanda. If I Had a Dragon / si yo tuviera un Dragón. Spanish transl. Teresa Mlawer. New York: Scholastic/Lectorum, 2006. Brief text in Spanish and English throughout. A boy imagines the active things they would do together if his uninteresting little brother would turn into a dragon. Humorous illustrations show a goofy green dragon would bungle typical childhood fun–taking up the whole swimming pool, blocking the movie screen, burning the boy's hair when they whistle. He decides "a dragon doesn't make a very good playmate after all," so he sends the dragon home and has fun with his brother in the sandbox.

Gillespie, Sarah. Time for Bed. Illus. Kevin Parks. Darling Dragons. [Florida?]: Paradise Press, 2000. "A small dragon describes what his bedtime routine, including a story or song and goodnight kiss." The Tea Party, 2000. "Simple verse about the enjoyments of a dragon tea party." The Busy Day, 2000. "A young dragon describes some of her favorite activities, such as dancing, playing an instrument, kicking balls and jumping rope" (Worldcat). Also Out to Play, 2000. Board books labeled "A darling dragon tab book" (cover).

Hill, T. L.. Morris and the Kingdom of Knoll. Illus. Jeff Colson. Los Angeles:  J. Paul Getty Museum, 2007. "Morris is a happy-go-lucky dragon who wears polka-dotted shorts and wreaks havoc in the Kingdom of Knoll. He seems to be more trouble than he's worth until one day the people of Knoll learn that Morris is more valuable than they had suspected. The book is published in association with the Children's Library Press" (book description).

Hillert, Margaret. Let’s Go, Dear Dragon. Illus. Carl Kock. Chicago: Follett, 1981. One of a series of easy readers in which a boy and his pet dragon experience various events. On July 4th they play at the beach; the dragon helps cook the hot dogs and shoots fireworks. Sequels listed below.

Hillert, Margaret. Come to School, Dear Dragon. Illus. David Helton. Cleveland: Modern Curriculum Press, 1985. Dragon goes to school with boy, sees dragon in book, follows rules, plays and holds hoop, eats dragon snacks at home like a dog.

Hillert, Margaret. Dear Dragon Goes to the Library. Illus. David Schimmell. Chicago: Norwood House, 2008. "A boy and his pet dragon go to story time and take out books from the library" (publisher description).

Hillert, Margaret. Happy Mother's Day, Dear Dragon. Illus. Craig Deeley. Starfall, 2005. An online version for beginning readers is available at www.Starfall.com. Many free materials to encourage readers and writers are offered at this site.

Hillert, Margaret. I Need You, Dear Dragon. Cleveland: Modern Curriculum Press, 1985.

Hillert, Margaret. It's St. Patrick's Day, Dear Dragon. Illus. David Schimmell. Chicago: Norwood House, 2008. "A boy and his pet dragon celebrate St. Patrick's Day by finding things that are green" (publisher description).

Holabird, Katherine. Alexander and the Dragon. Illus. Helen Craig. New York: Clarkson N. Potter, 1988.
Boy is scared of things under bed, finds dragon is real, and they become friends.

Jane and the Dragon. CGI animated television series about a medieval girl who would rather train to be a knight than a lady-in-waiting. Her best friend is a 300-year-old fire-breathing dragon. Created by Nelvana and WETA. Nelvana is a Canadian animation company. The web site says they tried to create the look of characters who stepped out of a children's book. For books, see Baynton, above and chapter books on page Dragons in Chapter Books and Novels.

Jennings, Paul. Rascal at the Show. Illus. Bob Lea. Camberwell, Vic, Australia: Puffin Books, 2005. 30 pp. "Ben wants Rascal to win Best in Show at the dragon show, but Rascal has fleas. Can he still win the award?" (Worldcat)

Jeschke, Susan. Firerose. New York: Holt, Rinehart, 1974. Zora, a fortuneteller with a talking cat, finds a baby girl with a dragon tail on her doorstep. Firerose needs help feeling happy with her tail and then without it. Even though Firerose saves Zora from a shark with her tail and fire, she isn't allowed in school. They travel to Dragon City and give the tail to a dragon born without one, so Firerose can go on with life as a person. Realistic black and white drawings throughout.

Kahl, Virginia. How Many Dragons Are Behind the Door? New York: Scribner’s, 1977. In counting rhymes, princesses hide and feed a fat dragon, which gives birth to 12 babies.

Kavanagh, Peter. Little Prince and the Great Dragon Chase. Barrons, 1995. A teddy bear is rescued by flying dragons.

Kimmel, Margaret Mary. Magic in the Mist. Illus. Trina Schart Hyman. New York: Atheneum, 1975. N. pag. Story of boy Thomas living alone in Wales, studying to be a wizard. He finds a little dragon; it helps him warm his house (light fire), teaches him a song that warms house, then leaves. Song of Thomas and Jeremy (toad friend) attracts creatures of the bog, keeps hut “snug and cheerful.”

Kincaid, Lucy and Eric. Dragon’s Hiding Place. Newmarket, English: Brimax. N.d. One of a series of easy readers on friendly dragon and woodland animals. Dragon needs help from small animals when stalked by hunting men with nets.

Konopka, Ursula. Dragon Franz. New York: Greenwillow, 1976. orig. by Josef Guggenmos.
A young dragon who is teased for his inability to spit fire makes friends at school by changing colors.

Kumin, Maxime W. Sebastian and the Dragon. Illus. William D. Hayes. Eau Claire, WI, 1960.
Short boy gets respect by bringing small dragon (in his little covered wagon) to live in zoo.

Leedy, Loreen. The Dragon ABC Hunt. New York: Holiday House, 1986.
Ten bored little dragons go on a treasure hunt and find objects from A to Z.

Lexau, Joan M. Every Day a Dragon. Illus. Ben Shecter. New York: Harper & Row, 1967.
Dragon represents boy’s father, develops from scary to friendly.

Lindgren, Astrid. The Dragon with Red Eyes. Transl. Patricia Crampton. Illus. Ilon Wikland. New York: Viking Kestrel, 1985.
Children care for baby dragon on farm until it flies away into the sunset.

McInnes, John. Drat the Dragon. Illus. Rosalie Davidson. Champaign, IL: Garrard, 1973.
Pink dragon family sends son Drat out to learn bravery. He learns to dodge cars, meets animals including a lizard, learns to swim. He helps keep girl with gold hair from drowning, starts a fire. He doesn’t meet her parents but she gives him a gold ring, his parents hug him and he’s a brave dragon.

Mahy, Margaret. The Dragon of an Ordinary Family. Illus. Helen Oxenbury. London: Heinemann, 1969. Also New York: Dial, 1992. "When Mr. Belsaki chooses a dragon as a pet for his son, what was a very ordinary family begins some extraordinary adventures."

Masey, Mary Lou. Branislav the Dragon: A New Tale of Old Russia. Illus. Helen Basilevsky. David McKay, 1967. Has a cover suggesting that an interesting Russian folk tale is inside, but instead there is a cartoon-like dragon indistinguishable from a dinosaur, a colorless reptile on pages filled with bright red and purple people. This “reluctant dragon” is pressured into capturing a maiden and later manages to get a job in the kitchen rather than being punished.

Mayer, Mercer. Herbert the Timid Dragon. New York: Golden Book, 1991.
Herbert, suffering from knight envy, remains timid but wins treasure and rescues princess by sneezing a hole in Castle Grouch; thereafter princess protects him and his heroic reputation.

Minarik, Else Holmelund. The Little Girl and the Dragon. Illus. Martine Gourbault. New York: Greenwillow, 1991. A dragon from the girl’s book swallows her toys.

Myers, Walter Dean. The Dragon Takes a Wife. Illus. Ann Grifalconi. New York: Bobbs-Merrill, 1972. Rpt. New York: Scholastic, 1995. Illus. Fiona French. Harry, “a good but lonely dragon” in ancient Lyraland, gets help from fairy Mabel Mae, who turns herself into a dragon to marry Harry and settle into happy middle-class domesticity.

Nolan, Jerdine. Raising Dragons. Illus. Elise Primavera. Harcourt, 1998. An African-American farm girl tells how her parents gradually accepted the first dragon she raised from an egg.  In return for the girl’s affectionate care, the dragon takes her flying and helps with the crops in amazing ways. With gentle humor this fantasy shows a child discovering that her own talents are a little different from those of her parents.

Pavey, Peter. One Dragon’s Dream. Scarsdale, NY: Bradbury, 1978.
Counting book in which a dragon dreams of animals harassing and dragging him around.

Peet, Bill. How Droofus the Dragon Lost His Head. Boston: Houghton, 1971.
A dragon does farm work in exchange for protection from a king, then is hired to display his head at the castle spring festivals (instead of being decapitated).

Pilkey, David. A Friend for Dragon. New York: Orchard, 1991. Dragon's Halloween. Dragon’s Fat Cat. New York: Orchard, 1992. A series on a chubby blue wingless dragon who needs to make friends and learn cat care..

Robertson, M. P. The Egg. New York: Puffin, 2000. A boy hatches a giant egg in his bedroom after finding it under his mother's chicken. Doing "his motherly duty to teach the dragon dragony ways," George instructs him in flying, fire breathing, distressing damsels, and defeating knights. Then a bedtime dragon story makes the dragon miss his own kind. Seven nights after leaving George, the dragon returns to take his friend on a night-time flight to the cave of his family. Bright illustrations of different sizes use lighting effectively to convey the drama and mystery of finding a giant egg under in the hen house and developing a dragon friendship in a realistic setting.

Rupp, Rebecca. The Dragon of Lonely Island.  Illus. Wendell Minor. Candlewick, 1998. Three modern children find a three-headed dragon in a cave, which tells a moralistic story suited to each child.

San Souci, Daniel. The Rabbit and the Dragon King. Illus. Eujin Kim Neilan. Boyds Mill Press. A quick-witted rabbit and a turtle help an ill dragon king find the will to live.

Talbot, John. The Dragon’s Cold. Children make a giant handkerchief for a sick, tame dragon; then it heats village’s water.

Thayer, Jane. The Popcorn Dragon. 1953. Rpt. Illus. Lisa McCue. New York: Morrow Jr. Books, 1989.
Dexter the dragon shows off when he learns to blow smoke and smoke rings, but has no friends. He pops corn by mistake when sleeping, and then gets friends.

Thomas, Shelley Moore. Happy Birthday, Good Knight. Illus. Jennifer Plecas. New York: Dutton Children's Books, 2006. 48 pp. "The Good Knight tries to help three little dragons make a birthday present for a very special friend" (Worldcat).

Thomas, Shelley Moore. Take Care, Good Knight. Illus. Paul Meisel. New York, N.Y.: Dutton Children's Books, 2006. 32 pp. "The three little dragons have agreed to take care of the old wizard's cats while he is away, but their inability to read his instructions causes problems until their friend, the Good Knight, saves the day" (Worldcat).

Trez, Denise and Alain. The Little Knight’s Dragon. New York: World Publishing, 1963.
A child prince forgets a dragon is dangerous, teaches the dragon to play marbles, takes him home to play and provide central heating for the castle in winter.

Uttley, Alison. Sam Pig and the Dragon. Illus. Graham Percy. London: Faber, 1940; rpr. 1989.
Sam finds a friendly dragon who helps around the house before he has to go back to sleep.

Wilson, Gina. Ignis. Illus. P. J. Lynch. London: Walker Books, 2001. Ignis (whose name means fire) is a young dragon in a fantasy world, Dragonland, depicted in sweeping, colorful landscapes. In spite of many positive traits and reassurance from his Gran-dragon and best friend, Ignis doubts his dragon identity because he can't breathe fire. He wanders off and makes several new friends, including a human girl. An encounter with an old volcano helps him begin producing magnificent bursts of fire.

Wilson, Sarah. Beware the Dragons. New York: Harper & Row, 1985.
A girl helps reconcile friendly dragons in a bay with the town that misunderstood them.

Wood, Audrey. The Princess and the Dragon. 1982. Child's Play Theatre Edition, 1993. A princess who misbehaves tries to make trouble for the knights by getting kidnapped by a dragon. She continues to throw tantrums when she finds that the dragon in his cave is tame and cultured. Everyone is happy when they changes places because dragons are expected to make trouble. Parents tell their children to be like the dragon-as-prissy-princess. Cartoonish illustrations climax in a colorful double-spread rumpus when all the children visit the princess in her fun cave. This edition contains song lyrics from the audio cassette.

Woodman, June and Rita Grainge. Wiff the Dragon. Illus. Peter Kingston. Loughborough: Ladybird Books, 1981.
Wiff rescues his parents from a zoo with the help of the “digging dragons.”

Wyllie, Steve. The Red Dragon: A 3-D Picture Book with Press-Out Disguises. New York: Dial, 1993.
Dragon turns green but isn’t scary.

Yates, Irene. Bedtime for Little Dragons. Illus. Helen Floate. Snuggle up Stories. London: Ladybird, 2000.

Other Dragon Picture Books:

I.  Retelling Traditional Dragon Lore

II.  Folktales, Old and New

III.  Dragons in the Imagination and Dreams

IV.  Satiric Dragon Stories

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This page's last update: 06/27/2008
Tina L. Hanlon

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