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Dragon Loves Penguin
One dragon looking for an egg + one lonely egg in need of a mummy = one delightful relationship between the most unlikely of creatures.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
Debi Gliori
234 books131 followersDebi Gliori (born 1959) is a Scottish author and illustrator of children's books.
She grew up as an only child in Glasgow, and when young began drawing and writing stories. She started writing children's books in 1976, and attended art school in Edinburgh from 1979 to 1984. She then received a travelling scholarship award to go to Milan, and worked as a freelance from 1984 onwards.
She is the author/illustrator of many books for children including Mr Bear, the winner of a Children's Book Award. She is best known for her black comedy Pure Dead series for older children, which display strong elements of family lives amid dark and fantasy-based plots.
She grew up as an only child in Glasgow, and when young began drawing and writing stories. She started writing children's books in 1976, and attended art school in Edinburgh from 1979 to 1984. She then received a travelling scholarship award to go to Milan, and worked as a freelance from 1984 onwards.
She is the author/illustrator of many books for children including Mr Bear, the winner of a Children's Book Award. She is best known for her black comedy Pure Dead series for older children, which display strong elements of family lives amid dark and fantasy-based plots.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
July 18, 2017
An exceptional children's book. A cute, original story, fun drawings, and a great lesson. There has never been another time where the phrase "Sometimes, things happen for a reason" has come off as meaningful instead of insulting. In this story, it was very clear that the phrase meant that sometimes, bad things happen, but that good things can result from it. I also loved the empowerment of people who are different. Lovely, especially for children.
April 15, 2015
Nice story about a dragon who adopted a penguin egg when she was unable to lay her own egg. The story is told by the adopted penguin, who herself later adopted another penguin. A nice story that shows parenthood is about love and commitment, not whether parents look like you or "laid" you themselves. Beautiful illustrations.
January 11, 2015
A deeply satisfying story about a dragon who really wants to be a mother. The adoption metaphor may be obvious but the sentiments are authentic. A loving story about individuality and family.
August 9, 2016
3.5 stars Bib the baby penguin asks his Mum to read him his favourite book about a dragon. All the other dragons had an egg to look after, but one dragon didn't. He went off to be alone for awhile and found an egg that needed his care. The egg hatched into a penguin and the dragon loved it as his own. However, the other dragons picked on it because it wasn't a real dragon. The little penguin went away by himself and found another egg that he looked after. I'm afraid I got confused at that point because the dragon who loved him seemed to disappear without explanation for a while. It turns out well, as the penguin ends up having some skills that save the day and there's an interesting twist. But I found it 'lost the plot' a little.
The book has some good themes to do with adoption, belonging, courage and unconditional love. But it's also a bit sad with issues of abandonment, bullying and loneliness. In its attempt to deal with important issues, I felt it lost its way a little and was confusing in parts. Might be a good one to prompt discussion though.
The book has some good themes to do with adoption, belonging, courage and unconditional love. But it's also a bit sad with issues of abandonment, bullying and loneliness. In its attempt to deal with important issues, I felt it lost its way a little and was confusing in parts. Might be a good one to prompt discussion though.
October 8, 2019
Very easy read, the kind of book you could read over and over again.
April 21, 2019
Beautiful illustrations and a sweet story combine to create a very special book dear to the boyfriend's heart, and to mine. A story about belonging, about finding what is special within yourself, and about creating family. We highly recommend this book!
October 29, 2018
A very cute story about adoption centered around dragons and penguins
April 22, 2022
3.5 stars
April 4, 2015
I am such a softie, but I loved this adoption story of a dragon and a penguin egg and then another penguin egg. This is a celebration of differences and of what is really important. 12/18/14
Used in Eggstravaganza, though a bit much for the group. A boy saw the cover and had to have it read.
Used in Eggstravaganza, though a bit much for the group. A boy saw the cover and had to have it read.
March 21, 2016
I read this to my autistic son. It was a bit too long for him and a bit confusing. The story was a bot strange, but I was taken by surprise by the surprise ending. I enjoyed the book more than my son.
April 22, 2021
Read at Storytime April 21, 2021
Theme: Dragons
Theme: Dragons
September 1, 2024
Dragon Loves Penguin is a picture book by Debi Gliori. It features the story of dragons who have come to live in a new area. Soon, a lot of dragons have eggs, but one is feeling left out. Soon enough, she finds an egg of her own, and adopts it. But when it hatches, it’s a baby penguin, not a dragon.
I don’t really know how to phrase this… My main thoughts about the book were that it felt disjointed, and there were a few different storylines that didn’t tie together very well, or even get completed. While I know it was intended to be a sweet story about a character wanting to have a child, then randomly finding one, adopting it and giving it love… There were some aspects of the story that didn’t feel like they were well planned. It was a short book, and there were a few prominent themes, such as the dragons moving to the new land, the bullying the main dragon faced, the penguin not being able to fly, the area the dragons lived suddenly becoming unliveable, etc. A lot of these storylines were introduced, but not well enough to give an adequate explanation as to what was happening; none of them felt like they were completed properly, either. It felt like the book was jumping from problem to problem, without giving any of the storylines a proper conclusion. Also, the main thought I’m left with is that the dragon randomly found an egg, but who was the egg’s original mother? Did the dragon essentially just “kidnap” some random egg? Is there some random penguin family out in the storybook world, looking for their child?
The drawings were pretty good. The dragons were absolutely adorable, and I loved getting to see all of them throughout the book. There were some really good scenery images as well, and I enjoyed the beauty of the area.
Overall, I did not like the story. I felt like there were a few okay ideas behind the book, but there needed to be better planning in the storylines, in my opinion. And one of my main issues is that it felt really incomplete because a bunch of the storylines were not finished properly. My favourite bit about the book is the artwork.
I don’t really know how to phrase this… My main thoughts about the book were that it felt disjointed, and there were a few different storylines that didn’t tie together very well, or even get completed. While I know it was intended to be a sweet story about a character wanting to have a child, then randomly finding one, adopting it and giving it love… There were some aspects of the story that didn’t feel like they were well planned. It was a short book, and there were a few prominent themes, such as the dragons moving to the new land, the bullying the main dragon faced, the penguin not being able to fly, the area the dragons lived suddenly becoming unliveable, etc. A lot of these storylines were introduced, but not well enough to give an adequate explanation as to what was happening; none of them felt like they were completed properly, either. It felt like the book was jumping from problem to problem, without giving any of the storylines a proper conclusion. Also, the main thought I’m left with is that the dragon randomly found an egg, but who was the egg’s original mother? Did the dragon essentially just “kidnap” some random egg? Is there some random penguin family out in the storybook world, looking for their child?
The drawings were pretty good. The dragons were absolutely adorable, and I loved getting to see all of them throughout the book. There were some really good scenery images as well, and I enjoyed the beauty of the area.
Overall, I did not like the story. I felt like there were a few okay ideas behind the book, but there needed to be better planning in the storylines, in my opinion. And one of my main issues is that it felt really incomplete because a bunch of the storylines were not finished properly. My favourite bit about the book is the artwork.
November 10, 2019
This is a wonderful book! My 6yo and I both enjoyed it so much that we ordered our own copy after checking it out from the library. It’s an adoption story, but it’s also just a really good story. It’s time for bed, but penguin chick Bib asks his mom to read him the story about the dragon. Bib’s mother agrees, and tells the story of dragons coming to their land of ice and snow. As other dragons lay eggs, one dragon finds and cares for an abandoned egg which turns out to be a penguin. The “fluffy dragon”, Little One, isn’t like the other dragons, but that turns out to be for the best. Little One later cares for an abandoned egg, which turns out to be Bib. When Bib begs his mom to read it again, she suggests that maybe Grandma could read it this time. With Little One and Bib snuggled in her lap, Grandma (dragon) begins the story once again.
September 24, 2023
A story within this story is poetic and detailed:
The Mother Penguin is telling her child a bedtime story... about dragons.
"The dragons loved the sun.
They stretched their long necks,
spread their wide wings,
and polished their hard, shiny scales.'
Beautiful writing, yes? Moving along though, what's the point of this story?
Without doing a plot spoiler, I'd have to say the point is this:
SOMETIMES THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON
That sentiment will see you through to the very sweet ending of this meant-to-be kind of story.
I do like that this tale could bring comfort to children who have been adopted.
Otherwise? I'm not a fan, of the belief in "Things happen for a reason." However, I'll bet the intended audience loves this, along with the rest of this story. Accordingly, FIVE STARS.
It takes all kinds to make a world of Goodreaders.
The Mother Penguin is telling her child a bedtime story... about dragons.
"The dragons loved the sun.
They stretched their long necks,
spread their wide wings,
and polished their hard, shiny scales.'
Beautiful writing, yes? Moving along though, what's the point of this story?
Without doing a plot spoiler, I'd have to say the point is this:
SOMETIMES THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON
That sentiment will see you through to the very sweet ending of this meant-to-be kind of story.
I do like that this tale could bring comfort to children who have been adopted.
Otherwise? I'm not a fan, of the belief in "Things happen for a reason." However, I'll bet the intended audience loves this, along with the rest of this story. Accordingly, FIVE STARS.
It takes all kinds to make a world of Goodreaders.
January 16, 2025
The writing was emotional, engaging and the words used catered to a wide range of ages. There were quite a few words on each page, so older children are more likely to be able to read it themselves.
The text was black and, apart from one page, was black and set on a white background. This made it easy to read. The font used was clear and to add interest some of the words were different sizes.
The illustrations were clear and colourful. Every time you looked you could see something new. They were placed around the blocks of text. The text was in different places on each page which added interest.
There was a good flow to the story and it was a joy to read.
Overall a lovely story that I could quite happily read again and again to my sons.
The text was black and, apart from one page, was black and set on a white background. This made it easy to read. The font used was clear and to add interest some of the words were different sizes.
The illustrations were clear and colourful. Every time you looked you could see something new. They were placed around the blocks of text. The text was in different places on each page which added interest.
There was a good flow to the story and it was a joy to read.
Overall a lovely story that I could quite happily read again and again to my sons.
October 8, 2019
The further I got into the story, the more I fell in love with it. It tells the story of two animals that you would never expect to get along and despite everything, became a family. The pictures work really well with the text because they add extra emotion and actions. For example, when the dragon first finds the egg, the text doesn't tell you she tries to find out who it belongs to but the illustration shows her asking some orcas if its theirs.
I really enjoyed this story within a story and will definitely continue to read more of Gliori's books based on this and the two others I have read.
I really enjoyed this story within a story and will definitely continue to read more of Gliori's books based on this and the two others I have read.
September 30, 2020
I absolutely loved this book. It is a really lovely story about a dragon not being able to lay an egg and finding a penguin egg in need of a parent and caring for it as it's own, the penguin then finds another lost egg and raises that as it's own too - it comes full circle with the characters all reading the book together at the end, a bit of a metanarrative! It introduces the concept of "non-traditional" families really well, and that love is all that matters not who your parents are and if they are your biological parents or not. The theme of kindness and being accepting of difference runs through the book too, and the illustrations are fantastic, couldn't fault it!
April 24, 2021
A fun ugly-ducking story. Went on too long into "we're reading a book about our family," which was the less interesting part of the book. I would have preferred if Little One had saved herself from the volcano intentionally instead of accidentally falling to safety. I always prefer main characters with agency. She could have discovered that she was good at sliding on her belly earlier in the story, and practiced and practiced. Then when the volcano was about to erupt, she would have known how to save herself. Love the drawings, especially of the dragons.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2017
I loved this one! What a great story with lots of surprises for the reader - a story within a story. Great, colorful illustrations. I especially loved the expressions on the dragon and penguin faces. My favorite picture is the one when the dragon hugs the egg - what a sweet scene! Kids will love this one! It has lots of nuggets of truth with a taste of comfort and love to boot. I have been reading it to first graders and they love it so far. Highly recommended Gr. K-5.
March 8, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and found it very moving. The heartwarming story of how a dragon adopted a penguin egg when she couldn’t have her own egg is just delightful. The repetition of ‘sometimes things happen for a reason’ is really poignant. The penguin faces lots of trouble from the other young dragons but the little penguin knows what is really important- ‘love and time’. I really enjoyed this book, the beautiful illustrations and the wholesome story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2025
I wasn't huge on the theme of "Sometimes, things happen for a reason." but my toddler and I both found the book absolutely charming otherwise. We enjoyed the story, the twists, the illustrations, and the other themes and inclusivity.
It also impressively seemed to strike the right level of coziness and sincerity while featuring some genuinely heavy subject matters
It also impressively seemed to strike the right level of coziness and sincerity while featuring some genuinely heavy subject matters
September 4, 2018
If you're bored of reading silly simple children's books to your kids (again and again), then this one will be a nice change. Using dragons and penguins, the book attempts to talk about bullying, adoption, love, and courage. All that with gentle and lyrical prose. I think it's nice and easy enough for little kids to follow and understand. My 4yo asked to read it again and again.
September 19, 2018
Not much of a story but I liked the twist ending.
A barren dragon adopts a baby penguin and raises it as her own. In the end we realize that the baby penguin is now a mama Oregon and she's telling this story to her own adopted child.
A barren dragon adopts a baby penguin and raises it as her own. In the end we realize that the baby penguin is now a mama Oregon and she's telling this story to her own adopted child.
January 27, 2022
A dragon adopts a penguin who later adopts another penguin. Also, the penguin who lived with dragons didn't fit in and got bullied, but she saves the dragons the volcano and the things they made fun of are what help her save herself.
The art is adorable. My kids loved it.
The art is adorable. My kids loved it.
May 23, 2023
I was indecisive about how to rate this. Overall though I found it really moving, I loved the part of the story where it was saying how they were just what the other was looking for. I would definitely read this again.
October 27, 2023
Very much enjoyed this book about animals adopting and raising another species baby. It is very heartwarming and the story was well-developed and told with sensitivity and care.
I would highly recommend this book as a bedtime reading for any parent with adopted children.
I would highly recommend this book as a bedtime reading for any parent with adopted children.
January 14, 2024
A penguin asks his mommy to read him a bedtime story, so she tells him a story of a dragon who didn't have any eggs of her own, so she hatched a penguin egg. I didn't see the ending coming. Very sweet.
July 6, 2017
Love the idea of "love and time" on good parenting. Good example of what quantity time and unconditional love are much needed in this modern society.
August 9, 2017
"But Little One was given
Love and Time, the greatest gifts of all."
Love and Time, the greatest gifts of all."
October 24, 2017
A beautiful story with great illustrations about what it means to be loved and a family. Too much for my preschool story time, but a great one-on-one read aloud to snuggle with at bedtime.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews