Dragon

by Wayne Anderson

A baby dragon’s search for his identity.Is he a fish? Is he a bird? Is he a crocodile? One morning an egg drops from the sky and lands at the bottom of a deep, deep ocean. At first the small creature that emerges decides he is a fish for he has scales and fins. But he soon grows too large for his sea-shell home and sets off to discover who he really is. After disappointing encounters with birds, snakes and crocodiles he finally meets someone who holds the key to his identity. A small boy with a book of fairy tales finally and magically solves the mystery.

Genres: Picture Books, Dragons, Adventure, Fantasy, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Wayne Anderson’s illustrations grace numerous books, including the NEW YORK TIMES best-selling DRAGONOLOGY. He lives in Leicestershire, England.

Reviews

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous softly coloured illustrations of my favourite magical creature, just love dragons!

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL art.

would make a wonderful story to read at night to a little one.

[Meaghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have a lot of questions

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story begins with something precious falling from the sky and landing in the bottom of the ocean-an egg. The dragon hatches and spends the story meeting different animals and asking if they are his mother. He meets a boy who recognizes him from one of his stories and uses his book to help dragon find his way home.

This book really draws readers in and we feel the sadness and determination Dragon feels as he goes from animal to animal and from environment to environment trying to find his mother and discover who he is. Wayne Anderson effectively uses the craft of repeated phrase by having the main character ask, "Are you my mother? And what am I?" He effectively uses fantasy and teaches students the value of helping others-just like the boy helped dragon find his way home.

I would pair this book with Little Moon Dog by Helen Ward and illustrated by Wayne Anderson. This book also is full of fantasy with tourist fairies disrupting the man and his dog who live on the moon. It also features themes of friendship and home, just like Little Lost Dragon does.

"The human child looked up in wonder. He was not frightened for he knew magic from his storybooks. He looked at his book and he looked at the face in the window. "You are a wonderful thing, and I am reading about you in this book.""

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is a rather typical story of a youngster hunting for its mother, Anderson's misty, mysterious illustrations greatly enhance the story and make it something special.

[Malachi Mottram · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's happy and good, but two stars because the dragon is stuck a lot.

[Lucinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the art in this book and story is really good too. I actually still re-read this sometimes. ^_^

[LudmilaM · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Beautiful illustrations!

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was absolutely beautiful. The illustrations were so dreamlike and gorgeous. I was really feeling for this little dragon that didn't know what it was or where its mother was.