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Hello everyone!
Last year, a friend let me read her work-in-progress dragon novel, and it got me on a dragon kick. I started reading published books featuring dragons. Below are some dragon stories that I think young dragon lovers will enjoy, too!
After reading a dragon tale or two, try drawing a dragon of your own. Dragon coloring pages and how-to-draw-a-dragon videos and instructions for preschool through high school are at the end of the post.
Preschool and Early Elementary
One Drowsy Dragon by Ethan Long is a counting story about a dragon who just wants to go to bed.
Have You Seen My Dragon? by Steve Light is part story, part search and find.
How to Dress a Dragon by Thelma Lynne Godin, illustrated by Eric Barclay is about a boy helping his dragon to get dressed.
Dragons Love Tacos and Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Danie Salmieri are about dragons and the situations caused by their tacos obsession.
When a Dragon Moves In and When a Dragon Moves In Again by Jodi Moore, illustrated by Howard McWilliam is about a boy who has fun, and gets into trouble, with a dragon that his family does not believe exists.
Dragon Brothers Trilogy by James Russell, illustrated by Link Choi
The Dragon Brothers Trilogy is about two brothers who live on an island inhabited by dragons and the dragon-related adventures they have.
The Boy Who Painted Dragons by Demi is about a boy who must overcome his fear of dragons by seeking their wisdom.
Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman is a retelling of the legend of Saint George and his fight with the dragon. This book is best for elementary-aged children.
Behold…the Dragons! by Gail Gibbons is a non-fiction book that gives a brief overview of the different types of dragons from around the world and some of the mythology surrounding them. This book is best for elementary-aged children.
How to Draw a Dragon by Douglas Florian is a book in rhyme about drawing all the different parts of dragons.
Late-Elementary through High School
Wings of Fire Series by Tui T. Sutherland
The Wings of Fire Series is a good read for children in late-elementary, middle, and high school. It is your typical high fantasy series, but with dragons as the protagonists. The books also contain social and relationship themes and explore the concept of destiny versus choice.
Dragon Rider Series by Cornelia Funke
The Dragon Rider Series is ideal for children in late-elementary or middle school. On the surface level, it’s a quest to find home, but it also has themes of friendship, self-sacrifice, belonging, respect for all creatures, and the consequences of greed.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin is a good story for children in late-elementary or middle school. The primary plot is the protagonist’s quest to improve her family’s fortune, but the story could also be viewed as a collection of folktales because legends and other characters’ fantastic backstories are interspersed with and woven into the protagonist’s journey.
The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini
The Inheritance Cycle is a good read for high school fantasy lovers. Elves, spells, dragons…what’s not to like? Some of the themes explored in the series are loyalty, respecting differences in beliefs, and responsibility and consequences for actions.
Ralph Masiello’s Dragon Drawing Book by Ralph Masiello is great for middle and high schoolers. It is primarily mini, step-by-step art lessons, but it also contains cultural blurbs about dragon lore around the world.
Activities
- Printable Dragon Coloring Pages by Supercoloring.com
- “How to Draw a Dragon (For Super Young Artists)” (This YouTube tutorial is appropriate for preschool through elementary.)
- “How to Draw a Dragon” (This YouTube tutorial is appropriate for mid-elementary through middle school.)
- “How to Draw a Dragon” by wikiHow (These step-by-step directions are appropriate for middle and high schoolers.)
- “How to Draw a Dragon Step by Step” by Monika Zagrobelna (These step-by-step directions are appropriate for high schoolers.)
Happy reading!
Katie
P.S.
For more themed book recommendations and activities, visit my post library.
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