Book Review: Elmer and the Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannet (My Father's Dragon #2)

Stars: 4 out of 5
Pros: Fun, imaginative story

Cons: Doesn't capture the magic of the first in the series

The Bottom Line:

Sequel worth reading

Not quite up to the first book

Still a fun story

Rescuing the Dragon was Only Half the Adventure

Elmer and the Dragon is book two in a trilogy of books for young readers. Originally published in 1950, this book picks up literally at the moment when My Father's Dragon ends. And, while the first paragraph tells you enough about that story to understand this book, it's best to read that book first.

Nine-year-old Elmer Elevator has just rescued a baby dragon from the residents of Wild Island. The dragon is so thankful he promises Elmer a ride anywhere he wants to go. As much as he would love to see the world, Elmer figures he should head home, so the two set out.

Unfortunately, a storm blows them off course, and they land on an island. Where are they? Is the island inhabited? And what about the rumors of the mysterious disease of curiosity that affects the island?

This is the perfect book to help young readers transition from easy readers and picture books into chapter books. It works equally well as a read allowed for kids outgrowing picture books. It's only 80 pages long. Just about every two page spread has a black and white drawing, some of which take up a whole page. With ten chapters, there are plenty of natural breaks as well.

Not that kids will want to stop. While not nearly as clever as the first book in the series, the story is still entertaining. The plot moves quickly and never drags. Heck, it had been long enough since I read the book I couldn't remember what happened and got afflicted with the curiosity disease myself.

The characters aren't especially deep. The emphasis is on the story, which will help keep kids' attention. Now this isn't to say the characters are bad. The dragon is absolutely endearing. That character alone will capture kids' imaginations. Elmer is still resourceful and brave. He does admit to running away to rescue the dragon in the first book. Of course, if he'd just stayed home, there wouldn't have been a story in the first place.

The vocabulary is advanced enough to present a challenge to transitioning readers, but isn't so hard it will frustrate them. The writing style is fairly simple and straightforward, but never dull and repetitive.

In the first book, Elmer was identified as the unknown narrator's father. For most of that book he was referred to as "my father." That devise is dropped in this book. Here, he's simply Elmer.

While not as creative as the first book, Elmer and the Dragon is still a fun read sure to capture the imaginations of any child who reads it.