Five picture books starring dragons selected by Lauren H. Kerstein, Author of Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves
The Children’s Book Review

Dragon lovers unite! Dragons are fierce, fascinating, and oh-so fantastic! Do you have a dragon-lover in your house? Are you a dragon lover? It’s okay to admit it. Let’s admit it together…

I LOVE DRAGONS!

Awesome, because I have a dragon-tastic book list for you to sink your claws into, engage your imagination, and enjoy with your favorite dragon-lover.

In each of these stories, your dragon-lover will see that through thick and thin, fire and fizzle, dragons can make the best of friends. (And make storytime as sweet as can be.) Grab your fire-proof clothes and dig in.

WHO LOVES THE DRAGON? features a forlorn dragon who needs some serious cheering up! Parents and children will love the playful text, hilarious illustrations, and social-emotional strategies. Schulze and Hardy have THREE wonderful dragon books out right now, and I highly recommend you check out all of them!

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ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE MAKE WAVES stars Rosie, the dragon who wants to learn how to swim. The last swim lesson didn’t go all that well but don’t worry, Charlie packed EVERYTHING a boy needs to teach his pet dragon (and best friend) how to swim. As Rosie and Charlie blow bubbles (don’t forget your umbrella!), practice flutter kicks (watch out for tidal waves!), and offer shoulder rides (hang on tight!), Rosie proves that dragons make the most fun pets ever. Now if only Charlie can keep Rosie’s attention focused on the rules at the pool and NOT on her gummy snacks (you know, the ones that cause stinky dragon breath!)…

Grab your towel and swim goggles and join Rosie and Charlie for rollicking summer fun.

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Written by Josh Funk

Illustrated by Rodolfo Montalvo

Ages 3-8 | 40 Pages

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers | ISBN-13: 9780451472304

DEAR DRAGON is a wonderful story about friendship and looking past physical differences to appreciate the person (or dragon) underneath. It is written in epistolary format (letter writing) and in rhyme. This clever, fast-paced story is sure to fan your dragon lover’s flames, and perhaps even spark their interest in pen pals and letter writing.

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Written and Illustrated by Amanda Driscoll

Ages 3-7 | 40 Pages

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers | ISBN-13: 9780385755078

Although DUNCAN THE STORY DRAGON is a bit of an older book, this sweet tribute to imagination and reading is well worth the read. When Duncan reads a book, his imagination and unfortunately… his book catches fire. Duncan never makes it to the end of the story, so he searches for someone to help him—someone who loves books just as much as he does. Someone who just might become a new friend.

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Written by Adam Lehrhaupt

Illustrated by Scott Magoon

Ages 4-8 | 40 Pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books | ISBN-13: 9781481429337

I WILL NOT EAT YOU is truly a laugh-out-loud favorite. This fast-paced and somewhat subversive friendship story is deliciously funny and surprisingly sweet. Theodore, the dragon, thinks EVERYTHING is a possible meal until a boy gallops up to his cave. Has he found the perfect meal or something more?

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The book list 5 Books That Will Spark Your Dragon-Lover’s Interest was curated by Lauren H. Kerstein, an author and psychotherapist. She’s a Jersey girl at heart who currently lives in Colorado with her husband, their two dragons…er, daughters, and their rescue dog.

Lauren is the author of the Rosie the Dragon and Charlie picture book series (Illustrated by Nate Wragg/Two Lions). Her latest picture book, HOME FOR A WHILE (Illustrated by Natalia Moore/Magination Press) moved into bookshelves on February 2, 2021. Lauren also writes books in her field about sensory challenges, emotion regulation, and flexible thinking. Lauren is one of the founders of #ReVISIONweek, a judge with Rate Your Story, runs a critique business, and is a long-time member of 12×12 and SCBWI.

Visit her at www.LaurenKerstein.net, and follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@LaurenKerstein), and Facebook.

Discover more books featuring dragons by checking out all of our content tagged with dragons!