Begin with the rescue
Start with My Father's Dragon, which introduces Elmer, Wild Island, and the baby dragon at the center of the trilogy.
Book Series · 3 Books
My Father's Dragon Books
In order from My Father's Dragon to The Dragons of Blueland.
A classic three-book adventure about young Elmer Elevator, the baby dragon he rescues, and the imaginative journeys that follow their escape from Wild Island.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read My Father's Dragon
Read the trilogy in order: My Father's Dragon, Elmer and the Dragon, and The Dragons of Blueland. The second book begins after Elmer and the dragon leave Wild Island, and the third continues with a rescue involving the dragon's family.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The small books, playful narrator, and plentiful black-and-white illustrations make this a friendly early read-aloud or first independent fantasy. Elmer solves problems with planning and ordinary objects rather than fighting.
The adventures still include an imprisoned and mistreated baby dragon, threatening animals, hunters, captivity, and tense rescues. The danger is brief and fanciful, but sensitive children may want reassurance that Elmer and the dragon keep finding a way forward.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$1699
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 1948
My Father's Dragon
By Ruth Stiles Gannett, Ruth Chrisman Gannett (Illustrator)
A young boy runs away from home to rescue a baby dragon from a group of wild animals on a remote island
96 pages· 7,571 words· Est. 1 hour read
5.0/7 Bookroo
Bookroo Collection Edition: Hardcover
Summary: A young boy embarks on a daring adventure to Wild Island, determined to rescue a baby dragon held captive by lazy animals. As he navigates the island's dangers, will he succeed in freeing the dragon and returning home safely? The stakes are high, and the journey is fraught with unexpected challenges.
In reading order
My Father's Dragon Series
3 books · Published 1948–1951
#1
Sale price
$1699
My Father's Dragon
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 1948
A young boy runs away from home to rescue a baby dragon from a group of wild animals on a remote island
#2
Sale price
$674
Elmer and the Dragon
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1950
A young boy rescues a baby dragon from a remote island and together they embark on a journey to return home, encountering various obstacles and adventures along the way.
#3
Sale price
$759
The Dragons of Blueland
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1951
A young boy befriends a dragon and helps it rescue its family from a group of men who have trapped them in a cave
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the My Father's Dragon series?
There are 3 books in the My Father's Dragon series. It began with My Father's Dragon in 1948, and the newest book, The Dragons of Blueland, was published in 1951.
What order should you read the My Father's Dragon books in?
Start with My Father's Dragon and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #3.
What ages are the My Father's Dragon books best for?
The series is best for ages 7–12, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which My Father's Dragon book is the longest?
The Dragons of Blueland (Book #3) is the longest book in the series at 7,740 words (112 pages).
Which My Father's Dragon book is the shortest?
Elmer and the Dragon (Book #2) is the shortest at 7,555 words (96 pages).
The people
The Creatives Behind the Books
The people who bring My Father's Dragon to life.
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