What is it about dragons that so fascinates the world? The lore, the mystery, the adventure…so much! My family and I have read dozens of dragon books over the years, and today we’re sharing the winners. (Of course, all serious readers know a book list is never complete, ha, but at this moment in time, these titles outshine the rest.)
For a one-click download of this list in printable form, click here.
In no particular order, here they are:
Recommended Dragon Picture Books
Dragon in a Dress
Author: Hannah Spuler
Illustrator: Maegan Penley
Summary: A dad, two kids and their pet bearded dragon have a wildly imaginative “tea time” experience.
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
Have You Seen My Dragon?
Author: Steve Light
Illustrator: Steve Light
Summary: A counting book with a dragonish twist!
– Buy on Amazon –
Dragon Bones
Author: Sarah Glenn Marsh
Illustrator: Maris Wicks
Summary: A true story about Mary Anning, who discovered many dinosaur fossils. (Note for parents: evolution is present in the back pages but not in the story.)
– Buy on Amazon –
The Three Pigs
Author: David Wiesner
Illustrator: David Wiesner
Summary: A mind-blowing twist on the classic story. We won’t spoil how a dragon enters the scene!
– Buy on Amazon –
The King and the Dragon
Author: James Shrimpton
Illustrator: Helena Pérez García
Summary: Biblically accurate allegory on how sin came into the world and how it is ultimately defeated by Christ.
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
Saint George and the Dragon
Author: Margaret Hodges
Illustrator: Trina Schart Hyman
Summary: A princess seeks a knight to save her people–enter George!
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
Katie and the Mona Lisa
Author: James Mayhew
Illustrator: James Mayhew
Summary: A girl who can enter classic art encounters a dragon!
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
The Stone Wall Dragon
Author: Rochelle Draper
Illustrator: Rochelle Draper
Summary: Imaginative day when a boy’s stone wall turns into a dragon and invites him to ride.
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
Henry and the Kite Dragon
Author: Bruce Edward Hall
Illustrator: William Low
Summary: Based on a true story of children in Chinatown having a conflict with their neighbors.
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
The Laughing Dragon
Author: Kenneth Mahood
Illustrator: Kenneth Mahood
Summary: A Japanese emperor loves his pet dragon despite the havoc his laughing brings.
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
Knight Owl
Author: Christopher Denise
Illustrator: Christopher Denise
Summary: Delightful rhymes tell of a small owl who has dreamed his whole life about becoming a knight.
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
Why is Keiko Sick?
Author: Stacia McKeever
Illustrator: Ingrid Beyer
Summary: A girl’s best friend is diagnosed with leukemia and she asks her parents why. They give a true, gentle, and biblical answer.
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
How Droofus the Dragon Lost His Head
Author: Bill Peet
Illustrator: Bill Peet
Summary: A boy creatively saves a kind dragon from being hunted down by the king.
– Buy on Amazon –
John Ronald’s Dragons
Author: Caroline McAlister
Illustrator: Eliza Wheeler
Summary: Captivating biography on J.R.R. Tolkien and his love of dragons.
– Buy on Amazon –
The Paper Dragon
Author: Marguerite W. Davol
Illustrator: Robert Sabuda
Summary: A creative artist is able to defend the village from a destructive dragon.
– Buy on Amazon –
The Night Dragon
Author: Naomi Howarth
Illustrator: Naomi Howarth
Summary: Beautifully illustrated story about a dragon who learns to just be herself and not worry what others think.
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
King Jack and the Dragon
Author: Peter Bently
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Summary: The perfect combination of imaginative play, crisp rhymes, friends, and dragons!
– Buy on Amazon –
Sir Badalot and the Cranky Danky Dragon
Author: Rachel Jankovic
Illustrator: Forrest Dickison
Summary: A particularly delightful read-aloud tells how a bad dragon becomes stronger the more the boy whines and misbehaves.
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
The Knight and the Dragon
Author: Tomie dePaola
Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
Summary: A classic “fight the dragon” story with a fun twist.
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
Sam, Bangs & Moonshine
Author: Evaline Ness
Illustrator: Evaline Ness
Summary: The dragon in this story is only in one child’s imagination but a poignant part of the storyline.
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
No Dragons for Tea
Author: Jean E. Pendziwol
Illustrator: Martine Gourbault
Summary: A creative story that actually teaches about fire safety!
– Buy on Amazon –
When Dragons Hearts Were Good
Author: Buddy Davis
Illustrator: Dan Lietha
Summary: A fictional view of how life was possibly like in the Garden of Eden before the Fall–with great rhymes and lots of color. Full gospel presented in the back.
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
The Book Dragon
Author: Kell Andrews
Illustrator: Éva Chatelain
Summary: A girl bravely approaches the dragon who keeps stealing the village’s books overnight…will they find a solution?
– Buy on Amazon –
Where is the Dragon?
Author: Leo Timmers
Illustrator: Leo Timmers
Summary: Fantastic illustrations young children will love as they journey with 3 knights in their nighttime search for a dragon.
– Buy on Amazon –
By the way, there is a permanent home for ALL dragon books I’ve reviewed, including the ones I don’t recommend. See the Dragon Books list here. Now onto chapter books we have loved over the years…be sure to click reviews for content and age suggestions!
Recommended Dragon Chapter Books
The Castle in the Attic
Author: Elizabeth Winthrop
Summary: 10-year-old boy receives an heirloom gift that leads him into a fantasy world which includes a formidable dragon.
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Author: C.S. Lewis
Summary: Third book in infamous Narnia series and in which a boy has a very serious dragon problem.
– Buy on Amazon –
Ella Enchanted
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Summary: A fairy who gave a newborn girl the gift of obedience meant it as a gift, but it is a curse in reality. Fantasy creatures, including dragons, are mentioned but aren’t the main crux of the story. (Also – it’s very different AND much better than the movie.)
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
Prince Lander and the Dragon War
Author: S.D. Smith
Summary: Part of fantastic middle grade series about rabbitkind facing extinction because of fierce enemies. Probably shouldn’t start with this one if you haven’t read the ones before it. The author keeps this handy page concerning reading order.
– Buy on Amazon –
Beowulf
Author: Unknown
Translator: Frederick Rebsamen
Summary: Timeless story of a hero defeating monsters, written in verse. A great (and complete) translation for younger readers.
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
The Reluctant Dragon
Author: Kenneth Grahame
Illustrator: (many have illustrated this one–seek one you like!)
Summary: Through delightful prose, a boy, a dragon, and a knight become better acquainted. One of my favorite read-alouds.
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
The Dragon and the Raven
Author: G.A. Henty
Summary: Non-stop action story set in the days of King Alfred & the Viking Invasion. One of the ships is called The Dragon, so this is not a fantasy but realistic historical fiction.
– Full Review –
– Buy directly from publisher –
Paintball With Dragons
Author: Hope Bolinger
Summary: A 13-year-old boy suddenly sees dragons no one else can see, mere weeks after his brother died. They help him process his grief, and the writing itself is excellent.
– Full Review –
– Buy directly from publisher –
Wingfeather Saga (whole series)
Author: Andrew Peterson
Summary: Don’t start with this one, but it’s possibly my favorite in the series (so I used its image). Dragons are a sub-theme throughout. Incredible fantasy world and unpredictable adventures abound.
– Full Review (of first book) –
– Buy on Amazon –
The Book of Dragons
Author: E. Nesbit
Summary: Each chapter is a stand-alone story featuring a dragon. Be prepared for dragons wreaking havoc as well as eating people!
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
My Father’s Dragon
Author: Ruth Stiles Gannett
Illustrator: Ruth Stiles Gannett
Summary: A beginner chapter book in which a boy’s travels encounter several unique animal situations!
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
The Ordinary Princess
Author: M.M. Kaye
Summary: Princess Amy charms readers with her happy imagination and adventurous spirit when she runs away to avoid an arranged marriage.
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
The Hobbit
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Summary: Fantasy tale overflowing with suspenseful adventure, yet infused with perfectly-timed humor. Hobbits, wizards, elves, dwarfs, goblins, dragons and more!
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
Hunt for the Devil’s Dragon
Author: Marianne Hering
Summary: Part of a fantastic beginner chapter book series in which children time travel to various moments of Christian history. This one takes them to Libya where a town is being terrorized by a dragon. Will they be able to help?
– Buy on Amazon –
Dragons: Legends & Lore of Dinosaurs
Author/Editors: Bodie Hodge, Laura Welch
Illustrator: Bill Looney
Summary: With its stunning and interactive design, this oversized book provides hours of exploratory reading about dragons. What are myths? What are true?
– Full Review –
– Buy on Amazon –
So, those are our favorite books involving dragons…and we probably missed some! What would you add to this list? What would make the cut for your own family?
– One-click download of this list in printable form –
Happy reading!