Dragons and Mythical Beasts
A Mini-Bibliography for Children in Primary Grades
To order any of these titles, contact the library by email, mail or phone. You may also request these titles online through our OPAC. Happy Reading!
Cassette Books
Backyard Dragon by Betsy Sterman.
RC 40445.
When Owen discovers a dragon in his backyard, nobody believes him. His parents tell him he needs to concentrate on the real world. Meanwhile, Grandpa is still grieving over Grandma's death, and Owen's schoolmates already think he's weird. So Owen befriends the dragon, Wyrdryn, who was banished to New Jersey by a wizard. As they concoct a plan to get Wyrdryn back to his Welsh home, help comes from unexpected places. For grades 3-6.
The Day of the Dragon King by Mary Pope Osborne.
RC 54424.
The magic tree house takes Jack and Annie back two thousand years to ancient China. Their task is to find the earliest written form of an ancient legend—a bound book made of bamboo strips—before the evil Dragon King burns down the Imperial Library. For grades 2-4.
Dove Isabeau by Jane Yolen.
RC 33166.
On the northern shore of Craig's Cove, a beautiful, gentle maiden known as Dove Isabeau lives in a great stone castle. When she is fourteen her mother dies, and her father unwittingly marries an evil witch. When her stepmother turns her into a fierce, fire-breathing dragon, she is saved from the spell by her true love, Kemp Owain. For grades 3-6.
The Dragon Nanny by C.L.G. Martin.
RC 32454.
When Nell Hannah is tossed out of her job as nanny to the prince and princess because the king feels that she is too old, she finds herself in the forest facing the prospect of becoming lunch for Dragonia the dragon. Soon, however, she proves herself an able nanny for dragon children as well. For grades K-3.
The Dragon Prince by Laurence Yep.
RC 48284.
In China long ago, a poor farmer is captured by a dragon who wants to marry one of the man's seven daughters. Finally the youngest girl agrees because she hopes to save her father's life. After she leaves with the creature, she discovers that it has another identity. For grades K-3.
The Dragons Are Singing Tonight by Jack Prelutsky.
RC 39084.
Amiable dragons, disconsolate dragons, mechanical dragons, imaginary dragons, and nasty dragons a half-inch high are all found in this delightful collection of seventeen dragon poems. For grades K-3 and older readers.
Fire and Wings: Dragon Tales from East and West by Marianne Carus.
RC 56791.
Fifteen stories about dragons. "The Fourth Question: A Chinese Legend," tells about dragons of long ago and far away. "The Last of the Dragons" by E. Nesbit is set in the modern days of cars, buses, and gasoline. For grades 3-6.
Henry and Mudge in the Green Time by Cynthia Rylant.
RC 55802.
It's summer—time for Henry and his big dog, Mudge, to go on a picnic, for Henry to give Mudge a bath with the garden hose, and for Henry to be king of the green hill where Mudge is a dragon. For grades K-3.
Mythical Birds & Beasts from Many Lands by Margaret Mayo.
RC 45702.
A collection of ten folktales gathered from around the world. Each story centers on an imaginary creature including Pegasus, a mermaid, a unicorn, the thunderbird, a dragon, a sea serpent, the feathered snake, the Minotaur, naga, and the phoenix. Contains source notes. For grades 3-6.
The Paper Dragon by Marguerite W. Davol.
RC 46435.
A humble artist, Mi Fei, confronts a ferocious dragon to save his fellow villagers. When Mi Fei successfully completes the three tasks set by the dragon, the danger to the countryside disappears in an unusual way. For grades K-3.
The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame.
RC 17014.
A little boy befriends a kind-hearted dragon and arranges a match for him with St. George. For grades 3-6 and older readers.
Saint George and the Dragon: A Golden Tale by Margaret Hodges.
RC 22236.
A dramatic retelling of the classic tale recounts the battle between brave Saint George, the Red Cross Knight, and the deadly dragon that has terrorized the countryside for years. For grades 2-4 and older readers. Caldecott Medal, 1985.
Three Tales of My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett.
RC 46345.
Nine-year-old Elmer rescues Boris, a baby flying dragon, from the ferocious animals holding him prisoner on Wild Island. The grateful Boris promises to fly Elmer back home, but Boris needs Elmer's help again before rejoining his dragon family. For grades 3-6.
Braille Books
Bearskin by Howard Pyle.
BR 11032.
A resourceful young man raised by a mother bear with magical powers unwittingly fulfills a prophecy when he champions a princess and slays a three-headed dragon. Print/Braille. For grades K-3.
Benvenuto by Seymour Reit.
BR 2706.
Paolo returns to New York City from summer camp with a most unusual pet in his cardboard carton—a lovable baby dragon. For grades 3-6.
The Day of the Dragon King by Mary Pope Osborne.
BR 14201.
The magic tree house takes Jack and Annie back two thousand years to ancient China. Their task is to find the earliest written form of an ancient legend—a bound book made of bamboo strips—before the evil Dragon King burns down the Imperial Library. For grades 2-4.
The Day the Dragon Came to School by Marie Tenaille.
BR 8557.
The most exciting day of second grade was the day Daniel, the dragon, came to school. He came right in the middle of the spelling lesson. The teacher let him stay for spelling, gym, and lunch, too. For grades 2-4.
Dragon Stew by Tom McGowen.
BR 1194.
The King likes to eat but his royal chef can't cook, yet when the king orders dragon stew things work out well for everyone including the dragon. For grades K-3.
I Was a Second Grade Werewolf by Daniel Pinkwater.
BR 6320.
He snarls, growls, eats a pencil and a cardboard milk carton, and walks on all fours. Lawrence Talbot does his best to make family and friends notice that he has turned into a werewolf. For grades K-3.
The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy.
BR 10022.
Miss Lotta Scales, the new librarian at Sunrise Elementary School, is a dragon who fiercely protects her books. Children are afraid to go to the library because she might singe them, and teachers can't stand up to her. Finally, a small, nearsighted girl enters the library, picks up a book, and begins to read out loud. Print/Braille. For grades K-3.
Good Night, Good Knight by Shelley Moore Thomas.
BR 12775.
One night in a faraway kingdom, three lonely dragons keep the Good Knight running back and forth from his watchtower to their dark cave, helping them prepare for bedtime. Even after all three are tucked in, they call him back for one last thing. For grades 2-4.
The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy.
BR 10022.
Miss Lotta Scales, the new librarian at Sunrise Elementary School, is a dragon who fiercely protects her books. Children are afraid to go to the library because she might singe them, and teachers can't stand up to her. Finally, a small, nearsighted girl enters the library, picks up a book, and begins to read out loud. Print/Braille. For grades K-3.
Merlin and the Dragons by Jane Yolen.
BR 10050.
Shortly after pulling the sword from the stone and becoming king, young Arthur is troubled by a dream. He turns to Merlin, who tells him a story of another young boy and his visions of dragons. Print/Braille. For grades 3-6.
Treehouse Tales by Anne Isaacs.
BR 11638.
Three stories about Tom, Emily, and Natty, who are growing up on a Pennsylvania farm in the 1880s. In the first, Tom takes care of a dragon that Natty is certain lives in the trunk of their tree house. The next recounts Emily's horse-riding adventure, and the last tells of Pa's plans to buy sheep and build a ranch for Natty's future. For grades 3-6.