The Library Dragon

A funny, playful salute to the value of books and libraries from the New York Times best-selling and beloved author Carmen Agra Deedy.
  • ISBN: 9781682637913
  • Publication date: 10/01/2024
  • Page Count: 32
  • Size: 9" x 12"
  • Age Range: 6-10
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  • Price:
  • ISBN: 9781682637913
  • Publication date: 10/01/2024
  • Page Count: 32
  • Size: 9" x 12"
  • Age Range: 6-10
  • Price:
  • Age Range: 6-10
  • Price:
  • Age Range: 6-10
  • Price:
  • Age Range: 6-10
  • Price:
  • Age Range: 6-10
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Description

A funny, playful salute to the value of books and libraries from the New York Times best-selling and beloved author Carmen Agra Deedy.

Sunrise Elementary School had a BIG problem. Their new librarian was a real Dragon!

When Miss Lotta Scales read an ad for a thick-skinned librarian with a burning love of books, she knew she was perfect for the job. After all, who could guard books better than a real dragon?

She took her job seriously: hundreds of new, clean books replaced the old, smudged ones. The thought of sticky little fingers touching and clutching her precious books made her hot under the collar! The principal tried to reason with her, and she singed his tie. The teachers sent a delegation, including sweet Miss Lemon, who told her “the library belongs to the children,” but they were all sent away scorched.

When nearsighted Molly Brickmeyer stumbled into the library looking for her glasses, she bumped into a shelf, and a book tumbled into her hands.  As she began to read aloud, and the children came to listen, they came face to face with Miss Lotta Scales. Could a book read out loud temper the flames of the school’s hot-headed librarian?

Often used to introduce the library during the first week of school, this classic picture book is reissued with an author’s note and a QR code to access an audio recording read by the author.

Author/Illustrator

Carmen Agra Deedy

Author

Carmen Agra Deedy, a New York Times bestselling author, has been writing and traveling around the world telling stories for more than twenty years. Her books have received numerous awards and honors. Carmen has performed in many prestigious venues, but children are her favorite audience. Born in Havana, Cuba, she came to the United States as a refugee and like most immigrants sees the world from multiple perspectives. She lives in Georgia.

Michael P. White

Illustrator

Michael P. White is an award-winning fine artist and the illustrator of several children’s books. He lives in Georgia.

Reviews

“Youngsters will enjoy the funny touches and librarians may feel the good-humored tap of a reminder that books are for kids.” ―School Library Journal

“Deedy is an accomplished storyteller, and kids will likely enjoy her frequent puns and wordplay and [Michael White’s] droll, stylized illustrations, filled with vibrant color and lots of comical details.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Full of witty word-play and double meanings, this fun read about a dragon librarian who guards the books and thinks ‘storytime is simply medieval’ is sure to make you ‘on fire with enthusiasm.’” ―Book for that Kids

“I love the story. I love the images. I love the humor. I love the language. I love it as a parent, a teacher, and a writer. I could read it over and over and over because the humor and the language and the story and the pictures are just that engaging…” ―Christie Write Wild

“The illustrations are colorful and the creation of the dragon librarian and her antics will entice children to find the Library Dragon in their own school library.” ―It’s About Time MaMaw

“There’s plenty of wordplay to keep both parent and child entertained. Miss Scales ‘smoulders’ and is so tired after all her anger that she is simply ‘draggin’ near the end of the story. These examples, and many others, give readers opportunities to place emphasis on the words as they’re being read and stop to give context or discuss the rich vocabulary. It’s a terrific way to teach children about words, homophones and puns…” ―Kid Book Doctor

“Somehow, I had missed out on reading this book! We picked up the book with the audio cd at the public library and it’s now my new favorite book about Librarians. I will definitely be using it and recommending it for elementary librarians. Classic! The audio is a must because the author, Carmen Agra Deedy, gives the dragon a “I just smoked a carton of cigarettes” voice and it is hilarious!” ―Mrs. Library Fanatic

“This book has to rank right up there as one of my ‘most delighting’ kids’ books to listen to one of my tribe read. Just look at the grin on my boy’s face!!! I’d listen to his giggles as he’d sound out one of the harder, very tongue in cheek phrases and caught their silly meaning.” ―Our Wrighting Pad

“Clever wordplay, rich vocabulary and brightly colored illustrations make The Library Dragon a sharp, humorous commentary on children’s department librarians-be they dragons or dragonmasters!” ―A Page in a Book

“This is probably my favorite picture book of all. I first read it to my children when I checked it out from the library a few years ago. We’ve gotten it several times since. We all love it!” ―Write Wild

“The wordplay in this book is tops, and the illustrations are as funny as the words – pay close attention so you don’t miss a joke. The moral is nice, too…” ―The State Journal Register

Awards

Notable Children’s Recordings ―Association for Library Service to Children, 2013

Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―Florida Reading Association, 1997-1998

Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee, Grades K-3) ―Association for Indiana Media Educators, 1999-2000

Flicker Tale Children’s Book Award (Picture Book) ―North Dakota Library Association, 1997

Georgia Top 25 Reading List ―Georgia Center for the Book, 2002

Buckaroo Book Award (Nominee) ―Wyoming Library Association, Wyoming State Reading Council, 1999

Colorado Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―Colorado Council of the International Reading Association, 1997

Volunteer State Book Awards (Master List, Grades K-3) ―Tennessee Association of School Librarians, 1997-1998

Read Alouds too Good to Miss ―AIME, 1998

Storytelling World Resource Awards (Winner, Special Storytelling Resources) ―Storytelling World, 2013

Resources

Resources: Crafts, Teacher's Guide

Teacher’s Guide
Cut-out Glasses

More Details

AR Level: 4.8
F&P: GRL P, Gr 3, Genre F
Lexile: AD690L
Themes: Books, Libraries, Rules
BISAC 1: JUV047000 JUVENILE FICTION / Books & Libraries
BISAC 2: JUV019000 JUVENILE FICTION / Humorous Stories
BISAC 3: JUV035000 JUVENILE FICTION / School & Education