Three Tales of My Father's Dragon

This volume is the complete set of tales about Elmer and his friend the dragon, including the fun illustrations. The complete set includes "My Father's Dragon," "Elmer and the Dragon," and "The Dragons of Blueland."These stories are perfect first chapter books for kids. The vocabulary is simple and the chapters are short. I'd forgotten just how short until I started rereading them. Yet the stories are packed full of adventure. Elmer is especially resourceful, and I still get a kick out of how he takes the simplest things and makes them work in whatever situation he finds himself.Whether kids read these stories themselves or listen to them being read, they're sure to become favorites. And adults will enjoy the clever story lines as well.

Much like Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm, the My Father's Dragon trilogy is a fun read, and has a mixture of absurdity and humor that appeals on multiple levels. It's an easy read to a toddler, with several pictures throughout, and journey maps on the inner covers. Since the chapters are short, you can do two or three a night without losing continuity. At the same time, the story has enough depth and cleverness that the parent can remain engaged. Thus, it's a catalyst for bonding.One of the things that makes it special is the main character. Elmer Elevator, on the advice of a stray cat, starts out on a noble odyssey to free a baby dragon from its animal tormentors. In his preparation, Elmer packs dozens of seemingly useless items, including a magnifying glass, brush, sandwiches, and lollipops. While he travels across Wild Island, all these items become essential, and you wonder if the story was being told by MacGyver :-)We've read the trilogy to completion five times and it's still a hit with everyone.

As a reluctant and less than superb reader, I was delighted by this book when it was presented to me when I was eight by the exasperated school librarian. The engaging storyline enveloped me immediately. I credit this book with sparking a life-long love of great stories. This book would be a winner with any child!

I read this book to my 5 and 6 year old boys. They love the black and white pictures which tell the story. It was a good story to practice comprehension skills. As Elmer saves the baby dragon he uses various items each step of the way. I quizzed my kids on what he used to deter the lion, the alligators, etc. My 5 year old cheated by looking ahead through all the pictures; then when we read on he'd say he knew that was going to happen. We will probably re-read this book many times before they are able to read it on their own. I highly recommend reading it together as an adventure for the whole family. luv2read

I first read this story as a boy of 7, only 7 years after it was originally published in 1948. My own father was concerned because, as a child, I did not seem to enjoy reading. He read the first few pages of "My Fathers Dragon" then pretended to fall asleep. I was so engrossed in the story that, for the first time in my life, I picked the book up and read it to the end. This was the beginning of my love of books. Now as a third grade teacher, I read the first few pages of this wonderful story to my class and then quietly put the book down.