The classic fantasy trilogy of Elmer Elevator and the flying baby dragon has delighted children and their parents for generations. Now, on the occasion of their fiftieth anniversary, Random House is proud to bring the three timeless tales together in one beautiful commemorative edition, complete with the original delightful illustrations. A Newbery Honor Book and an ALA Notable Book, My Father's Dragon is followed by Elmer and the Dragon ("rich, humorous, and thoroughly satisfying"*) and The Dragons of Blueland ("ingenious and plausible, the fantasy well-sustained"*). Each story stands alone, but read in succession, they are an unforgettable experience.*Library Journal, starred review
Three Tales of My Father's Dragon: 50th Anniversary Ed
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
My Father's Dragon--a favorite of young readers since the 1940s and a Newbery honor book--captures the nonsensical logic of childhood in an amusingly deadpan fashion. The story begins when Elmer Elevator (the narrator's father as a boy) runs away with an old alley cat to rescue a flying baby dragon being exploited on a faraway island. With the help of two dozen pink lollipops, rubber bands, chewing gum, and a fine-toothed comb, Elmer disarms the fiercest of beasts on Wild Island. The quirky, comical adventure ends with a heroic denouement: the freeing of the dragon. Abundant black-and-white lithographs by Ruth Chrisman Gannett (the author's stepmother) add an evocative, lighthearted mood to an already enchanting story. Author Ruth Stiles Gannett's stand-alone sequel, Elmer and the Dragon, and her third volume, The Dragons of Blueland both received starred reviews in School Library Journal and are as fresh and original as her first. (Ages 4 to 8)
Review
"Delightfully logical nonsense, appealing characters and irrepressible humor." -The New York Times
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Much like Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm, the My Father's Dragon trilogy is a fun read, and has a mixture of absurdity and humor that appeals on multiple levels. It's an easy read to a toddler, with several pictures throughout, and journey maps on the inner covers.
Since the chapters are short, you can do two or three a night without losing continuity. At the same time, the story has enough depth and cleverness that the parent can remain engaged. Thus, it's a catalyst for bonding.
One of the things that makes it special is the main character. Elmer Elevator, on the advice of a stray cat, starts out on a noble odyssey to free a baby dragon from its animal tormentors. In his preparation, Elmer packs dozens of seemingly useless items, including a magnifying glass, brush, sandwiches, and lollipops. While he travels across Wild Island, all these items become essential, and you wonder if the story was being told by MacGyver :-)
We've read the trilogy to completion five times and it's still a hit with everyone.
43 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As a reluctant and less than superb reader, I was delighted by this book when it was presented to me when I was eight by the exasperated school librarian. The engaging storyline enveloped me immediately. I credit this book with sparking a life-long love of great stories. This book would be a winner with any child!
40 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This volume is the complete set of tales about Elmer and his friend the dragon, including the fun illustrations. The complete set includes "My Father's Dragon," "Elmer and the Dragon," and "The Dragons of Blueland."
These stories are perfect first chapter books for kids. The vocabulary is simple and the chapters are short. I'd forgotten just how short until I started rereading them. Yet the stories are packed full of adventure. Elmer is especially resourceful, and I still get a kick out of how he takes the simplest things and makes them work in whatever situation he finds himself.
Whether kids read these stories themselves or listen to them being read, they're sure to become favorites. And adults will enjoy the clever story lines as well.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
awesome book (also exciting)!
This book is very much like Harry Potter because it is adventurous. One favorite part is when the dragon and the son travel to different islands. Read more
Published 1 month ago by time to start giving back
Wonderful collection of stories for young readers
What a perfect first chapter book to read to your child. This collection includes all three stories in one. The first story, we are introduced to Elmer. Read more
Published 2 months ago by bookreader "Melanie"
Perfect Read Aloud
I first read about this book in Jim Trelease's _Read Aloud Handbook_. It was at the top of his list for first chapter books to read with your children, and for good reason. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Plumber's Wife
A Real Page Turner
Hey, do you like books that are filled with adventure, talking animals and a daring rescue? We loved My Father's Dragon and we bet you will, too! Read more
Published 5 months ago by Barbara M. Quine-moran
One of The Best
Why on earth had I not heard about this book when I was younger? I am so happy that I found 'My Father's Dragon' so that my children can grow up with these stories. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Stroller Snob
Wonderful, wonderful, children will love it!
This book has 3 stories in it. "My father's Dragon" "Elmer and the dragon" "The Dragons of Blueland" Each story is about 80 pages long in large easy to read type. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Michelle
Wonderful read aloud
This is a great, set of stories that should be in every classroom, and child's library. I bought one for each of my sibling's children.
Published 11 months ago by MommyV
My Father's Dragon
I enjoyed this book as a little girl and gave it to my grandaughter for Christmas so that she could too.
Published 16 months ago by marcia
classic book for kids
This book comes highly recommended from educators for children who are graduating from picture books to chapter books. A family favorite for sure!
Published 17 months ago by julie
All around classic for reading aloud and early readers
I had the set of three books in this series in the early 90's for my two oldest sons. They were clever, amusing, with a protoganist who is smart, sweet, and curious. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Amy Henry
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
One cold rainy day when my father was a little boy, he met an old alley cat on his street. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
blue demon, pink lollipops, silver harmonica, old alley cat, baby dragon, ostrich ferns Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
King Can, Wild Island, Seaweed City, Ocean Rocks, Nevergreen City, Spiky Mountain Range, Evergreen Park, Awful Desert, Elmer Elevator, Island of Tangerina, Fig Newtons New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Surprise Me!
One cold rainy day when my father was a little boy, he met an old alley cat on his street. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
blue demon, pink lollipops, silver harmonica, old alley cat, baby dragon, ostrich ferns Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
King Can, Wild Island, Seaweed City, Ocean Rocks, Nevergreen City, Spiky Mountain Range, Evergreen Park, Awful Desert, Elmer Elevator, Island of Tangerina, Fig Newtons New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 2
books:
2
books
cite this book:
- The Dragons of Blueland (My Father's Dragon) by Ruth Stiles Gannett in Front Matter
- Elmer and the Dragon (My Father's Dragon) by Ruth Stiles Gannett in Front Matter
- The Cambridge Guide to Children's Books in English by Victor Watson on page 278
- The Children's Literature Lover's Book of Lists by Joanna Sullivan on page 1
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