My Father’s Dragon

PG. Netflix. Out now.

Elmer Elevator, a white boy, travels to Wild Island searching for a dragon in this animated feature based on the award-winning 1948 book by Ruth Stiles Gannett. Gaten Matarazzo of Stranger Things stars as the voice of Boris the dragon.

READ-ALIKES

“The Fabled Stables” series by Jonathan Auxier. Amulet. 2020.
Gr 1-3–Augie, an 8-year-old white boy, lives on an island with a stable of fantastic creatures. Taking care of them is his job. Making friends with them is one of the benefits. Beginning chapter book readers drawn to the bond between Elmer and Boris will enjoy this whimsical series.

“Dragons in a Bag” series by Zetta Elliot. Random House.
Gr 2-5–Nine-year-old Jaxon, who is Black, becomes a witch’s apprentice and works with dragons and other mythical animals in this Brooklyn-set fantasy series. Hand these entertaining adventures to young dragon fans.

“Unicorn Rescue Society” series by Adam Gidwitz. Dutton.
Gr 2-5–Elliott, a white boy, and Uchenna, a Black girl, join their Peruvian teacher’s Unicorn Rescue Society, a group tasked with protecting legendary beasts, in this easy chapter book series. Animal-loving readers looking for daring fantasy tales should check out these titles.

Abby Johnson is the collection development leader at the Floyd County Library in New Albany, IN.