Download high-resolution image
Listen to a clip from the audiobook
audio pause button
0:00
0:00

My Father's Dragon

Read by Robert Sevra
Listen to a clip from the audiobook
audio pause button
0:00
0:00

The Newbery Honor-winning classic about a daring dragon rescue!

When Elmer Elevator hears about the baby dragon being held captive on Wild Island, he knows just what to do. First, he packs his knapsack with important supplies, like chewing gum, lollipops, and lots of rubberbands. Then he stows away on a ship headed for theisland. Along the way, Elmer meets many exotic animals. Each tries to sidetrack him, but Elmer has sometricks up his sleeve . . . or more precisely, in his knapsack. One way or another, he will rescue the dragon!

First published in 1948, My Father’s Dragon has delighted generations of young readers. It is classic storytelling at its finest.

AN ALA NOTABLE BOOK 
A COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS TEXT EXEMPLAR IN APPENDIX B 

"A real delight." —The New Yorker 

  • WINNER | 1949
    Newbery Honor Book
  • WINNER | 1949
    Newbery Honor Books
  • WINNER | 1948
    ALA Notable Children's Book
  • HONOR | 1949
    Newbery Honor Book
  • NOMINEE | 1948
    Ambassador Book Award
Ruth Stiles Gannett wrote My Father's Dragon just a few years after her graduation from Vassar College in 1944. It was an immediate success, becoming a Newbery Honor Book, and was soon followed by two sequels, Elmer and the Dragon and The Dragons of Blueland. All three dragon stories have been continuously in print in the more than 40 years since their publication. The author’s other books include Katie and the Sad Noise and The Wonderful House-Boat-Train. She is married to the artist and calligrapher Peter Kahn. They have seven daughters and seven grandchildren. Visit her at myfathersdragon.org. View titles by Ruth Stiles Gannett

About

The Newbery Honor-winning classic about a daring dragon rescue!

When Elmer Elevator hears about the baby dragon being held captive on Wild Island, he knows just what to do. First, he packs his knapsack with important supplies, like chewing gum, lollipops, and lots of rubberbands. Then he stows away on a ship headed for theisland. Along the way, Elmer meets many exotic animals. Each tries to sidetrack him, but Elmer has sometricks up his sleeve . . . or more precisely, in his knapsack. One way or another, he will rescue the dragon!

First published in 1948, My Father’s Dragon has delighted generations of young readers. It is classic storytelling at its finest.

AN ALA NOTABLE BOOK 
A COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS TEXT EXEMPLAR IN APPENDIX B 

"A real delight." —The New Yorker 

Awards

  • WINNER | 1949
    Newbery Honor Book
  • WINNER | 1949
    Newbery Honor Books
  • WINNER | 1948
    ALA Notable Children's Book
  • HONOR | 1949
    Newbery Honor Book
  • NOMINEE | 1948
    Ambassador Book Award

Author

Ruth Stiles Gannett wrote My Father's Dragon just a few years after her graduation from Vassar College in 1944. It was an immediate success, becoming a Newbery Honor Book, and was soon followed by two sequels, Elmer and the Dragon and The Dragons of Blueland. All three dragon stories have been continuously in print in the more than 40 years since their publication. The author’s other books include Katie and the Sad Noise and The Wonderful House-Boat-Train. She is married to the artist and calligrapher Peter Kahn. They have seven daughters and seven grandchildren. Visit her at myfathersdragon.org. View titles by Ruth Stiles Gannett