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If You Like...Dragons

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I have a family member who LOVES dragons. It is one of his most favorite things. He wishes that there were real dragons in the world. I have another family member who really likes dragons because of how fierce and scary they are (though he also likes the dragons that aren’t scary). If you also have a dragon fan in your home, here are five picture books that are great reads for fans of the giant and mystical beast! 
Written by David LaRochelle 
Illustrated by Lian Cho 
New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2023. Picture Book. 

This is a humorous story about counting dragons…who all happen to be named Broccoli. Readers start with 100 dragons, but then wind or adventure or other things pull various numbers of dragons away. Readers then have to figure out just how many dragons are left. Kids who love dragons and being silly will enjoy reading this book. 

Written by Scott Rothman 
Illustrated by Pete Oswald 
New York: Random House Children’s Books, 2020. Picture Book. 

If you were to ask me what my all-time favorite dragon picture book is…this one may just be the one I tell you about. It has the scary factor, the silliness of saying underwear to preschoolers, and it has a fun character named Cole who is a knight’s assistant that is left with defending the kingdom against an attacking dragon! Readers who love adventure with a bit of mirth thrown in will enjoy reading this book. 

By Barney Saltzberg 
Hippo Park, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers, 2023. Picture Book. 

So, this story may not seem like it has a dragon in it (but it does, I promise!). In the story there are two mice. The bigger mouse happened to eat the story (it was delicious). The smaller mouse is hoping that the bigger mouse can make up a new story for them to share. And eventually there is a story…and a dragon! This is the best type of book to share with kids who love dragons…because they don’t have any idea that there is a dragon in the book. I would love to re-read this book with a little one who thinks it is just a book about two mice…only to find a surprise dragon at the end. Read this to dragon lovers who love surprises! 

Written by Charlotte Cheng 
Illustrated by Dan Santat 
New York: Rocky Pond Books, 2024. Picture Book. 

In this particular story, a dragon is sick. His friend phoenix comes over to help dragon feel better—only dragon isn’t as receptive to all of phoenix’s remedies as phoenix would hope. This is a fun story with amazing illustrations. This is the type of book to give to readers who want to see all the details of mythical creatures and to see them in everyday situations (like getting over a cold). 

Written by Julie Leung 
Illustrated by Hanna Cha 
New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2023. Picture Book. 

This is a magical story that captures the essence of wonder about such mighty beasts. In the story a mother tells a child about two different forests and two different types of dragons (western or eastern). This story has gorgeous illustrations that show the majesty and power of dragons as seen by two different cultures. Readers who love the idea that dragons are different around the world will enjoy this tale.
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