
Written and illustrated by Bob Graham
A girl and her dragon face the bittersweet changes of growing up.
Ellie discovers a dragon named Scratch on an egg carton and brings him home. As Ellie grows from dollhouses to dance parties, Scratch's scales begin to fade. Will their friendship endure the passage of time? This touching tale explores the magic of imaginary friends and the inevitable changes of growing up.
From master storyteller Bob Graham comes an adorable and affecting tale about imaginary friends and the bittersweet nature of growing up. When Ellie is very small, she finds a lovable newborn dragon on a carton of eggs in the grocery store. Ellie calls him Scratch, takes him home, and moves him into her dollhouse. Her mother can’t see Scratch, and her teacher doesn’t notice when Ellie brings Scratch to preschool, yet her friends are amazed. Ellie is lucky to have an affectionate, house-trained dragon like Scratch! But dragons get quite large as they grow. And Ellie is growing, too, moving from dollhouses to dance parties, not noticing that Scratch’s brilliant green scales are beginning to fade a little. . . . Beloved picture-book creator Bob Graham illustrates the joys of imagination and friendship in this touching story. With his signature gentle wit and warm, whimsically detailed illustrations, he captures the bond between girl and dragon, as well as the changes that come with time’s passage. A wistful, quietly thought-provoking tribute to the friends who appear when we need them most, even if it’s just for a little while.
4.5
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Top contributors: Elaine R.