Our 13 Favorite Children’s Picture Books About Dragons

My kid, like many others, loved imaginary creatures when he was little. Fairies were often his #1 pick, but dragons followed right behind. Dragons get more high-quality attention than fairies in children’s picture books, so it’s a bit easier to find good kids’ books about dragons. Here are our favorites! They’re so good I’d also recommend them to an adult for a light enjoyable read. (Disclosure: Amazon links are affiliate links.)

My picture book posts were published and then occasionally expanded between 2012-2015, with reviews based on reading with my kiddo between preschool age and about eight years old. As of 2023-24, I’m freshening up my lists and adding more recs.

The Dragon of an Ordinary Family (1969) by Margaret Mahy, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Mr. Belaski gets fed up with being ribbed by his family about how sensible and ordinary he is, and in his rebellion, he brings home a pet dragon. Which grows. And grows. Soon the neighbors are up in arms and the Belaskis are in need of a vacation as well as a solution to their dragon problem. Caution: there seem to be various covers and possibly other illustrated versions of this story, do look for the Oxenbury version.

Raising Dragons (1998) by Jerdine Nolen, illustrated by Elise Primavera

Stole. My. Heart. Black girl magic at its finest. I wish more people knew about this book, but I think 18 year old picture books have a hard time making it to the “diverse books” lists? The narration sounds a little American rural without being overdone or stereotyped, and it’s just lovely to watch this gal’s “click” moment about her destiny when she discovers a dragon egg on her family farm. I also admire her quiet self-assurance and competence in her chosen vocation.

The Best Pet of All (2004) by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Hanako Wakiyama

This kiddo’s mom probably thought she was pretty clever, shutting down the constant requests for a pet by saying a pet dragon would be fine… if the kid could find one. Then he did. And it turns out dragons are terrible pets! Or are they? Loved this tale of an ingenious kid getting what he wants. (And Mama realizes it’s actually just fine.) The art is a modern homage to old-school picture book style, as if it’s set in the 50s, very cute.

Have You Seen My Dragon? (2014) by Steve Light

If you’ve ever been to New York City, or you like art, you need to see this book! There isn’t much plot, because it’s pitched for very young readers, but my six-almost-seven year old got a kick out of finding the dragon’s hiding place on each page. I just couldn’t get over the amount of detail that Light put into each set of pages. I want to thank him and also get him an ice pack for his drawing hand.

Ace Dragon Ltd. (2015) by Russell Hoban and Quentin Blake

Of course John found a dragon living under a manhole cover. Where else would you find one? And for their first meeting? A rendezvous at the Dragonham East station of the Underground. The dragon wore Wellingtons. John had a sword. And so it began. Totally eccentric and very pleasant.

Min-Yo and the Moon Dragon (1992) by Elizabeth Hillman, illustrated by John Wallner

The moon is falling to earth. What to do? The king sends the lightest person in China, a little girl named Min-Yo, up the ancient and fragile cobweb staircase to the moon to ask the dragon who lives there for help. I’m not sure that was a responsible decision on his part, but Min-Yo is clever and brave, so it all works out in the end. Pretty, pretty watercolor illustrations and a well-written story.

And here are the books I’ve read on my own since my kiddo got too old for them; they’re all fantastic! I haven’t had a chance to write reviews or pull the covers yet, but click on through and see if one of them might be perfect for you.

And that’s the list!