Elmer and the Dragon

Elmer and the Dragon follows the continuing adventures of young Elmer Elevator and his dragon companion as they attempt to journey home. After becoming stranded on a mysterious island, they encounter a colony of talking canaries who need help solving an ancient mystery. The story takes place entirely on Feather Island, where Elmer reunites with his former pet canary and meets the island's royal birds. The plot centers around a buried treasure left behind by previous human inhabitants, leading to a quest that requires cooperation between Elmer, the dragon, and their new avian friends. This second installment in the My Father's Dragon trilogy continues the straightforward storytelling style of the original while exploring themes of friendship, problem-solving, and the rewards of helping others. The black and white illustrations by Ruth Chrisman Gannett complement the text's sense of gentle adventure.

Readers report this book provides a quick, straightforward adventure suitable for young children. The story serves as book two in the My Father's Dragon trilogy but stands alone. Liked: - Short chapters make it manageable for new readers - Simple illustrations support the text - Gentle tone without scary moments - Focus on problem-solving and kindness - Works well as a read-aloud book Disliked: - Less complex plot compared to first book - Some find it too brief - Limited character development - "Feels rushed at times" (Goodreads reviewer) Ratings: Goodreads: 4.12/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (280+ ratings) Multiple parents note success using it as a first chapter book for ages 6-8. Teachers comment that it helps bridge students from picture books to longer fiction. Several reviewers mention it lacks the charm and depth of "My Father's Dragon" but still delivers an engaging story for young readers.

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🐉 The dragon companion in the story is unable to fly due to having a crooked wing from a past injury, adding an unexpected twist to the traditional image of flying dragons. 📚 This book is the second in "The My Father's Dragon" trilogy, published in 1950, between "My Father's Dragon" (1948) and "The Dragons of Blueland" (1951). ✏️ Ruth Stiles Gannett wrote the entire trilogy at just 23 years of age, while the illustrations were created by her stepmother, Ruth Chrisman Gannett. 🏝️ The setting of the book, Wild Island, was inspired by the author's childhood experiences exploring Mohegan Island off the coast of Maine. 🎨 The original black and white lithograph illustrations in the book required the artist to draw directly onto limestone blocks using special greasy crayons, a meticulous process that could take weeks to complete.