What do you think?
Rate this book
Serendipity
Dragolin
Short, plump, and unable to breathe fire like the other dragons, Dragolin is in despair until he learns the importance of believing in oneself
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
211 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 16, 2023
Strange little book. Don’t mistake this for a story, it is a moral in the guise of a picture book. If you like that sort of thing, give it a go. But personally, as a child, I wouldn’t have been too fond of a story that isn’t really about character, friendship, or dragons but is convincing you and teaching you about believing in yourself (realistically). It makes a big point about not believing in yourself in things that you can not possibly do. (Such as fly if you have no wings…or walk through a tree). Strangely, even though the book was meant to be encouraging, I found it sort of limiting.
August 6, 2020
We need more books like this.
So many people, books, and movies promote the idea that you can do anything just by believing in yourself, but it's not true.
belief + capability + effort = you can do it!
So many people, books, and movies promote the idea that you can do anything just by believing in yourself, but it's not true.
belief + capability + effort = you can do it!
January 27, 2022
Endearing pictures with okay text. Lousy story with an abrupt ending
February 25, 2024
Reviewed for THC Reviews
Dragolin is a children’s picture book in the Seredipity book series, each of which teaches kids important life lessons. It’s about a short, plump, little dragon who can’t breath fire or even make smoke. The other dragons leave him alone, because his attempts to create fire are very funny and they don’t want to hurt his feelings by laughing. Then one day, along comes an armadillo who can’t help but roll around in amusement over this, making Dragolin sad. But the armadillo decides to help Dragolin by telling him that the secret to accomplishing something is believing in yourself. Dragolin takes this advice a little too far, trying things that no dragon can do, until the armadillo gently corrects him and helps him find success.
I recall that when I first came across a copy of this book at a library sale, I absolutely couldn’t resist the adorable picture on the cover. This turned out to be a really sweet story. Little Dragolin is so sad that he can’t make fire, but with help from the armadillo, he learns to believe in himself and eventually succeeds. The story has a great message for kids about believing in one’s ability to do something, but not pushing yourself to do things you weren’t made to do. As I mentioned, it was the cover that drew me to the book and all the illustrations are just as cute and whimsical, complementing the story well while eliciting emotions from readers. Dragolin is just too adorable for words. The sweet pictures might draw the interest of younger readers, and the story is perfectly appropriate if an adult reads aloud to them. However, the text is written in paragraphs with a little more challenging vocabulary that would probably be better suited to older kids in the second to fourth grade range who are able to read more independently. Overall, this is a great book with a lovely morality lesson that I think kids will enjoy.
Dragolin is a children’s picture book in the Seredipity book series, each of which teaches kids important life lessons. It’s about a short, plump, little dragon who can’t breath fire or even make smoke. The other dragons leave him alone, because his attempts to create fire are very funny and they don’t want to hurt his feelings by laughing. Then one day, along comes an armadillo who can’t help but roll around in amusement over this, making Dragolin sad. But the armadillo decides to help Dragolin by telling him that the secret to accomplishing something is believing in yourself. Dragolin takes this advice a little too far, trying things that no dragon can do, until the armadillo gently corrects him and helps him find success.
I recall that when I first came across a copy of this book at a library sale, I absolutely couldn’t resist the adorable picture on the cover. This turned out to be a really sweet story. Little Dragolin is so sad that he can’t make fire, but with help from the armadillo, he learns to believe in himself and eventually succeeds. The story has a great message for kids about believing in one’s ability to do something, but not pushing yourself to do things you weren’t made to do. As I mentioned, it was the cover that drew me to the book and all the illustrations are just as cute and whimsical, complementing the story well while eliciting emotions from readers. Dragolin is just too adorable for words. The sweet pictures might draw the interest of younger readers, and the story is perfectly appropriate if an adult reads aloud to them. However, the text is written in paragraphs with a little more challenging vocabulary that would probably be better suited to older kids in the second to fourth grade range who are able to read more independently. Overall, this is a great book with a lovely morality lesson that I think kids will enjoy.
June 10, 2025
I have had this book for as long as I can remember. I don’t know where I got it, but I’ve kept it all these years. The illustrations are beyond adorable and magical. I remember Stephen Cosgrove came to our school and I brought my book so he could sign it. I’m just now reviewing it because my 9 yo surprised me with a “cottage core/fairy core” spa set up at home and this was one of the books she chose to fit “the vibe” and she nailed it. Bottom line-Cute story about believing in yourself within reason.
July 24, 2020
This is a cute little dragon that lives in the swamps of Louisiana. He struggles to breath fire because he needs a little help believing in himself. It's a bit strange to imagine dragons and Pegasus in the swamps of Louisiana. The images do not vary too much. It's a nice story about friendship and self confidence.
May 17, 2021
A simple but beautiful childrens story with great art, I thoroughly enjoyed this gem.
January 7, 2020
A wonderful story about believing in yourself. If you want to do something, find a way to do it! There is always more than one path to a destination.
September 28, 2014
This is a fun little book for pre-chapter readers. It tells the tale of a magical land where a dragon lives to is unable to breathe fire like his relatives. He becomes lonely and isolated and sad Until he gets a lesson from an armadillo about believing in himself.
This is really wonderful as the dragon tries to so things that are impossible for him to do - he cannot fly because he doesn't have wings and cannot walk through a tree - no matter how much he believes he can. The armadillo follows his belief lesson up with a - you can do what your body can do lesson. It led us to talking about things we wish we could do and whether we can do them if we believe enough. We cannot fly because we want to but if we believe we can design an airplane then we can fly in that!
This is really wonderful as the dragon tries to so things that are impossible for him to do - he cannot fly because he doesn't have wings and cannot walk through a tree - no matter how much he believes he can. The armadillo follows his belief lesson up with a - you can do what your body can do lesson. It led us to talking about things we wish we could do and whether we can do them if we believe enough. We cannot fly because we want to but if we believe we can design an airplane then we can fly in that!
December 22, 2009
This is a wonderful book series for kids that want to work toward reading chapter books but are not quiet there yet. Every other page has a beautiful illustration next to a page that is not overwhelming with text.
Out of all the dragons in the land of Weezalana, Dragonlin is the only one who can not breath fire. Tries and he tries but all for not. One day he is given some wonderful advise to simply believe in himself. Dragonlin gets a bit side tracked believing in the impossible though and more advise will be needed to get him back on the right path.
Out of all the dragons in the land of Weezalana, Dragonlin is the only one who can not breath fire. Tries and he tries but all for not. One day he is given some wonderful advise to simply believe in himself. Dragonlin gets a bit side tracked believing in the impossible though and more advise will be needed to get him back on the right path.
July 3, 2017
Beautiful and prosaic about a little dragon who wants to be like other dragons but cannot seem to make flame. There is a secondary lesson in this for even when the other dragons thought it was funny with all his attempts they turned away so they weren't laughing at him and yet they also didn't encourage.
The artwork is beautiful and Dragolin reminds us so much of when we were little when everything was possible even though it wasn't. It reminds you to be true to yourself and it is to that truth that you need to believe in if you want it to work. Beautiful story!
The artwork is beautiful and Dragolin reminds us so much of when we were little when everything was possible even though it wasn't. It reminds you to be true to yourself and it is to that truth that you need to believe in if you want it to work. Beautiful story!
May 12, 2025
Basic plot: Dragolin learns to believe in himself.
I think I got my first Serendipity book through a Scholastic book order or book fair. I quickly became obsessed and collected a ton and a half of them as a child. I would spend hours just looking at the pictures because the art is simply gorgeous. The stories were whimsical and fun, and always ended with some sort of life lesson for kids. I kept reading these books long after other picture books had been set aside.
I think I got my first Serendipity book through a Scholastic book order or book fair. I quickly became obsessed and collected a ton and a half of them as a child. I would spend hours just looking at the pictures because the art is simply gorgeous. The stories were whimsical and fun, and always ended with some sort of life lesson for kids. I kept reading these books long after other picture books had been set aside.
December 31, 2012
Saccharine story lines and blindingly cute illustrations are exactly why I like the Serendipity Books. Little Dragolin struggles to learn how to breathe fire and his adorable little armadillo friend offers some sage advice. Honestly, if you're in need of sage advice I would go elsewhere, but if you want to relax with some awww-worthy illustrations, it's the perfect book. They need to make Serendipity plushies.
July 16, 2014
I absolutely love this book the illustrations are wonderful and it has caused me to collect a series by the author and the illustrator Robin James. Story is lovingly told and I recommend it for all children of all ages!
October 19, 2015
It was a good story that had a great message but it was just slightly awkwardly written. It's something that is not noticeable in later Serendipity books but this one just flows strangely. The illustrations are beautiful as always with Robin James' work and they are very delightful to look at.
January 27, 2016
This series of books is the most wonderfully illustrated, sweetest series available for children. Each book is beautiful, the animals are so sweetly drawn and each book teaches a wonderful lesson. I still have all of my original copies from my childhood (the 90s).
August 12, 2007
Preachy and too cute, these books each have a moral. Sometimes, however, these are the only books to help explain a difficult issue to kids.
July 29, 2011
a cute story for friendship
November 29, 2011
An nice story about believing in yourself. The illustrations of the dragon are particularly cute.
August 28, 2012
This was my favorite and first Serendipity book when I was very young.
August 30, 2013
This is a smart children's book; it isn't afraid to use a sophisticated vocabulary while being heartwarming. A little anticlimactic, but still a very sweet story with beautiful illustrations.
August 12, 2014
Great little inspirational book for the kids into fantasy, dragons and basic awesomeness.
Moral of the tale: You can be your best if you really believe in yourself.
Moral of the tale: You can be your best if you really believe in yourself.
September 9, 2014
Teach your kids the value of confidence, self-worth and courage with this beautifully illustrated book.
September 29, 2015
Beautifully illustrated and a sweet little story with morale. A wonderful story to share with your loved ones.
October 16, 2016
I loved this book!!!!! I read it as a little girl and it has a very "I think I can" theme with a strong sense of what a supportive friendship should be.
November 13, 2022
Pure nostalgia, these were my favorite books growing up and I want to seek them all out and complete the series. Sort of like Aesop's fables but Cosgrove makes them whimsical and classic♡
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews