FROM SARAH:

This is always my first chapter book read-aloud (or at least, it was with all six of my own kids!), but it's also a perfect choice for a developing reader. It tells the story of a young boy who saves a baby dragon, has adventures after their escape, and reunites the dragon with its family. I've yet to meet a kid who doesn't love this story.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Elmer Elevator tells a stray cat about his dream of being able to fly, he learns of a captive dragon on Wild Island. The dragon has been forced by the jungle residents to serve as their shuttle across a wide river—and anyone who rescues the dragon from its cruel captors might be entitled to a free ride.

FROM SARAH:

I feel like I recommend a book by David Macaulay just about every week. This is one of my favorites, and it inspired my then-twelve-year-old daughter to create an entire, accurate castle out of clay. Macaulay's work is the epitome of illustration you want to look at longer than necessary. Highly recommended.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The word itself conjures up mystery, romance, intrigue, and grandeur. What could be more perfect for an author/illustrator who has continually stripped away the mystique of architectural structures that have long fascinated modern man? With typical zest and wry sense of humor punctuating his drawing...

FROM SARAH:

I can almost imagine Tomie chuckling to himself while making the illustrations for this delightful, nearly wordless story about a dragon and a knight who have every intention of fighting one another. Wonderful.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

What happens when a sheepish knight and a not-so-fierce dragon fight for the very first time? Well, it's no ordinary battle since the knight has to go to the castle library to learn about dragon-fighting and the dragon must dig through his ancestor's things to find out how to fight a knight!

FROM SARAH:

A short story from the author of The Wind in the Willows, and just as beloved, read aloud by the inimitable Jim Weiss (Audible). This is a wonderful audiobook for kids of all ages. It's only an hour long, so it's a quick (and worthwhile) win. A gentle, funny fantasy.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The people call for that famous dragon-slaying knight Saint George to defeat the monstrous beast. But when one smart little boy actually meets the dragon, he finds a harmless, friendly creature who would much rather write poems than burn villages.

Can the boy find a way to make peace before the knight and the dragon have to fight?

FROM SARAH:

I think this is Margaret Hodges and Trina Schart Hyman's very best book, and that's saying something! I'd skip the library and just buy a copy of this one for your permanent collection. Older kids enjoy it, too.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This breathtakingly illustrated adaptation of a classic story is a must-have addition to any collection of folklore and fairy tales. Saint George and the Dragon dramatically retells the epic episode from Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene "in which George, the Red Cross Knight, slays the dreadful dragon that has been terrorizing the countryside for years and brings joy to the land.

FROM SARAH:

A good, solid story (and a pretty quick read!) set in the days of King Arthur. A young boy's suspicious uncle shows up at his father's castle, and then his father mysteriously and supposedly dies. The boy and his mother flee the castle to save their lives. The young boy makes his way to Camelot to plead their case before King Arthur.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In the days of King Arthur there stood a mighty oak tree within the walls of a castle. Peace reigned in the castle until the fearsome night when Lionel, long-lost brother of Lord Weldon, returned to cause trouble and unhappiness.

It was then that Shan, the son of Lord Weldon, took on the duties of a knight and hid the sword in the hollow of the giant oak. The days that followed were filled with adventures that tried the courage of the young boy.

Shan was surprised by bearded robbers in the woods. He met noble knights in plumed helmets, and eventually he even made a trip to high-towered Camelot. His story is filled with the pageantry and color of England in King Arthur's time. It creates a vivid picture of the Knights of the Round Table and the wisdom of King Arthur himself.

FROM SARAH: 

Our beloved little Knight Owl is back with the second delightful story in this series! This time he's out to save the forest he loves, but not to worry... He's got a tiny feathered friend by his side!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Early Bird wants to be brave and protect the castle, just like Knight Owl. But she falls asleep on the job and then keeps her hero up during the day with her enthusiastic chattiness, well-meaning questions, and cheerful owl impersonations. But there are strange happenings in the forest, and soon Knight Owl and Early Bird find themselves in the throes of danger. Will these two learn to work together to keep themselves and the kingdom safe?