In this adventure that has delighted children for years, Elmer Elevator sets out to free a baby dragon who has been captured by the animals of Wild Island.
My Father's Dragon is both a Newbery Honor Book and an ALA Notable Book. It was also nominated for the Ambassador Book Award. The National Education Association named the it one of its "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children." It was also one of the "Top 100 Chapter Books" of all time in a 2012 poll by School Library Journal.
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"This series was one of the first chapter books I read aloud to each of my children. The language is descriptive and understandable, there are just enough illustrations to give them a reference point, and the chapters are short enough to keep the attention of the youngest audience. My children especially liked the maps inside the covers."
— Hilary (4 out of 5 stars)
" i liked tis book it was fun to read and hard to follow. it was interesting but true. "
— Linda, 2/13/2014" This is Eliza's favorite book! She has read it so many times. "
— Amanda, 2/6/2014" I read this before to Amanda, but more recently read it to all the kids, baby included. It was a hit. An easily digestible adventure story. My oldest son was particularly taken with the map of the 2 islands. "
— Rozalyn, 1/31/2014" I absolutly love this book. Its so amazing. One time, me and my brothers and sister made a board game out of it. I dont exactly remember how you played, but it was SOOOOOOOOOO fun. "
— Breanne, 1/15/2014" Super fun story about a boy who runs away from home in order to set free a baby dragon. With the wise guidance of an old cat, Elmer has everything he needs to face the wild animals and rescue the dragon. Charming! "
— Grace, 1/12/2014" I love this book. It's fun and just brings up fond memories. "
— Sphinx, 1/9/2014" Lydia and Calvin loved these book, we read it at least 3 times each. Evocative, wonderful pencil drawings. "
— Angela, 1/3/2014" Awesome book to read with your kids. "
— Taya, 12/31/2013" We loved this book. Sleep Time came w two chapters left. I promised them I'd read the rest in the morning before school if they got up w no trouble. Wow, it really worked. They were up and ready in no time! "
— Meghann, 12/7/2013" Read this out loud in an evening. One of my favorite children's stories. "
— Alyssa, 11/26/2013" What a great fable! And the illustrations are quite fun. "
— Rainey, 11/23/2013" My fathers dragon is about how a dragon falls out of his cloud and a boys father go on a quest with animals and this book is about adeventure and aniamal i recomend. This book for. Ages 1-100. "
— Brandon, 11/19/2013" the art should have a Caldecott Honor as well. "
— Jim, 11/19/2013" Cute illustrations. "
— Sarah, 6/6/2013" Sweet and simple children's classic book. My kids loved listening to this story of the boy who saved the baby dragon. "
— Trinna, 2/6/2013" Took 15 minutes. It was a Newbery, albeit an older one so I thought I would try it out. Cute. "
— Michele, 1/9/2013" I really enjoyed this series of books when I was a young reader. A good pick for young dragon and fantasy fans. "
— Kathy, 12/13/2012" My young son enjoyed this as a read aloud. "
— Beth, 11/9/2012" My five-year-old LOVED this book. We read it in one sitting. "
— Jenny, 9/22/2012" this was a great read aloud FOR THE FAMILY. MY TWO YEAR LOVED IT. WE FINISHED AND HE IMMEDIATELY ASKED TO READ IT AGAIN. SO WEREAD IT THREE TIMES BEORE MOVING ON TO THE NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES. LOTS OF ANIMALS, LOTS OF PICTURES, AN ADVENTURE WITH A BOY AND A DRAGON- he loved it! "
— Despain, 12/21/2011" I just finished reading this to my boys. It was absolutely precious & a great read-aloud. It was written back in 1948. I love the simplicity & elegance of older children's books. My boys loved it too. "
— Meghann, 5/10/2011" This is the first chapter book I've read with my three-year old son. He loved it as much as I did. Wouldn't let me put it down, so we finished it in two days. A classic. "
— Tabitha, 3/15/2010" We read all three books in the series: My Father's Dragon, Elmer and the Dragon, and the Dragons of Blueland. The boys LOVED each of them. I thought they were well written, clever stories! Easy enough for little boys to follow and we laughed and laughed. "
— Natalie, 12/3/2009" Great book for kids. They love the adventure! "
— Lora, 8/31/2009" An absolute favorite! I can remember reading this book over and over and over to my three year old - we both loved it! "
— Pam, 7/16/2009" I really liked reading this one with my kids, I felt it was very easy for them to understand and get into and it was just plain cute! "
— Randi, 2/14/2009" This is a re-read for me since I have students who need an easy read that is entertaining. Even as an adult I still enjoy Elmer's adventure to rescue the dragon along with his guide, the cat. "
— Nancy, 10/21/2008Ruth Stiles Gannett wrote My Father’s Dragon just a few years after her graduation from Vassar College in 1944. It was an immediate success, becoming a Newbery Honor Book, and was soon followed by two sequels, Elmer and the Dragon and The Dragons of Blueland. All three dragon stories have been continuously in print since their publication. The author’s other books include Katie and the Sad Noise and The Wonderful House-Boat-Train. She was married to the artist and calligrapher Peter Kahn and has seven daughters.