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| Image Retrieved from: My Father's Dragon: Gannett, Ruth Stiles, Gannett, Ruth Chrisman: 0800759492831: Amazon.com: Books |
My Father's Dragon is actually the first in a series of three books by Ruth Stiles Gannett. This novella is a story within a story, where a boy, fantasizing about who his father could be, tells a story about him traveling to Wild Island to rescue a baby dragon, who is being held captive by cruel animals. Once on Wild Island, Elmer encounters various challenges, including a river filled with hungry crocodiles and a forest inhabited by fierce animals. However, he uses his wits and the items in his bag to overcome these obstacles. For example, he tames the crocodiles by giving them chewing gum, and he uses lollipops to distract the fierce tigers.
Throughout his journey, Elmer befriends various animals who help him on his quest, including a stray cat and a kindly old dragon who gives him useful advice. Eventually, Elmer reaches the baby dragon's cave, where he outsmarts the animals guarding the dragon by tricking them with a concoction made from chewing gum and lollipops.
Elmer rescues the baby dragon and names him Boris, and together they make their way back home. Along the way, they encounter some final challenges, but with Boris's help, Elmer manages to overcome them. In the end, Elmer returns home a hero, having saved the baby dragon and gained a lifelong friend in Boris.
My Father's Dragon is a charming and whimsical story that celebrates the power of courage, kindness, and resourcefulness. It has captured the hearts of readers for generations with its imaginative storytelling and endearing characters.
My Impressions and How I Would Use this Book
Personally, I am not a fan of fantasy as a genre, though I completely respect it. I found this story very sweet with important themes, and surprisingly I did not find harmful stereotypes of caricatures considering this story was originally published in 1948. The illustrations are whimsical and cute, and the map in the beginning of the book could even enhance geography standards. I would likely use this book as an access point for students in my class who do love fantasy and/or animal tales. Otherwise, I would love to include it in my classroom library for students to read for enjoyment and building fluency! I do think it's a bit basic for a third or fourth grader, contrary to the professional reviewer's opinion (see below), but I think it's perfect for advanced kindergarteners, first graders, and second graders!
Professional Review
(Note - this is a professional review of cassette-recorded readings of all three novellas.)
Gr 2-4--Three fantasy tales by Ruth Stiles Gannett, featuring Elmer Elevator and his gold-winged dragon friend Boris, are soothingly read in their entirety by Robert Sevra, whose tone varies just enough to distinguish the voices of the various characters. No sound effects or music are used or needed. My Father's Dragon (Random, 1948), a Newbery Honor Book, tells the story of a young boy who befriends an alley cat and hears the story about an overworked, captive baby dragon on Wild Island. Elmer journeys to the jungle island where he has encounters with wild animals and rescues Boris. In Elmer and the Dragon (Random, 1950), Elmer makes his way home with Boris' help. During a storm they are forced to land on Feather Island where they discover the secret of the escaped canaries who live there. The Dragons of Blueland (Random, 1951) relates Boris' return to his much-missed homeland. His dragon family is in danger and he must summon his friend, Elmer, to help save them. Today's children who have been exposed to the likes of Star Wars may find the adventures tame, but this presentation serves well both for individual and family listening. -Fritz Mitnick, Shaler North Hills Library, Glenshaw, PA
Word count: 218
Retrieved from: Mitnick, F. (1997). Three Tales of My Father's Dragon. School Library Journal, 43(11), 69-70. https://login.ezproxy.jbu.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/trade-journals/three-tales-my-fathers-dragon/docview/211706233/se-2
APA Citation
Gannett, R. S. (1948). My Father’s Dragon. Random House Books for Young Readers.
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