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Puff, the Magic Dragon
Puff, the Magic Dragon is simply one of the most beloved songs of all time—a classic that’s become as much a part of the childhood experience as Mother Goose and fairy tales. Yet singer/songwriter Peter Yarrow and co-composer Lenny Lipton have never allowed a picture book adaptation of this magical tale…until now. With Yarrow’s and Lipton’s blessing, Puff, Jackie Paper, and the land of Honalee finally live on the page. The exquisite package includes a cloth case with a tipped-in illustration and an embossed jacket with foil touches, as well as an exclusive CD featuring not only Puff, but several other songs performed by Yarrow, his daughter Bethany, and cellist Rufus Cappadocia. This is a publishing event sure to attract broad attention and please Puff’s many fans.In richly-hued paintings of the deepest sea blues and greens, Puff and his friend Jackie Paper frolic in the land of Honalee—traveling in a fantastic boat with billowed sails, climbing red castle stairs onto a balcony to meet with noble kings and princes, and watching pirate ships lower their flags for the roaring dragon. Artist Eric Puybaret has brought an entire magical world into being with enthralling landscapes, color, and characters. And everyone will love the way the art cleverly turns the song’s end, which at first seemed so sad, into a surprising and joyful moment.
Best of all—this is only the first of many more collaborations with Peter Yarrow to come!
Best of all—this is only the first of many more collaborations with Peter Yarrow to come!
24 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2007
21 people are currently reading
2721 people want to read
About the author
Peter Yarrow
63 books18 followersPeter Yarrow was an American singer and songwriter who found fame as a member of the 1960s folk trio Peter Paul & Mary. Yarrow co-wrote (with Lenny Lipton) one of the group's best known hits, "Puff, the Magic Dragon." He was also a political activist and supported causes that ranged from opposition to the Vietnam War to school anti-bullying programs. Yarrow was convicted in 1970 of molesting a 14-year-old girl, for which he was pardoned in 1981 by President Jimmy Carter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 372 reviews
October 7, 2015
y, is for Yarrow
5 Stars
Oh man, I can't believe I never wrote a review for this one! This was my absolute FAVOURITE childhood story. Nothing, to this day, brings instant childhood nostalgia to my eyes quite like this story/song.
I remember my tone-deaf father singing me this song, I remember the lilt of his imperfect voice, the feel of his hand running through my hair, EVERYTHING!
I think everyone is familiar with this one, I don't know that I need to go into what this is all about.
I have had the blessing of being the first person to sing this storybook to two different blonde munchkins. My nephew, at the age of two years; and also my ex's daughter at five.
This version came with a CD which my ex then learned to play and sing on the guitar *happy sigh* and if nothing else positive came of that relationship I will take that as the signifier of why I needed to have been in that relationship.
My father asked me when I was about five or six why I loved this so much, sighting that it was pretty sad for a children's song.... and I recall telling him that it wasn't sad, it was beautiful.
Jackie Paper shows Puff the curious world of humans, through gifts that seem strange to an adult but are perfect for a child; and Puff shows him the world through his eyes. It IS gorgeous. And while I get now why my dad said it was so sad, I still disagree. Love is NOT sad. Even though death, itself, may be sad this story and it's tale of love and the wonders of such is NOT sad.
This storybook's art is beautiful but relatively simple, which is great for children and adults alike.
ALL.THE.STARS.
October 14, 2023
Wow - this brought back so many memories; so happy to see this old friend again. Still remember the Peter, Paul and Mary song - singing it at summer camp - everyone smiling and happy. Later I took a closer look at what he story was really saying. But I think you have to get older to really appreciate the deeper meaning sinking in.
July 8, 2022
4,5 stars - English hardcover
Beautifully illustrated . . . smartly designed . . . More than 40 years after ‘Puff’…was released, this volume . . . brings the land of Honalee to new life.”
—The New York Times -
The timeless children's song . . . in a beautiful, bestselling picture book filled with enchantment.
“Puff has appeared to me both childlike and wise, a king but also a willing follower of just about any bright spirit that inspired him. Puff gives his whole heart and soul to one special friend…One day, as you can see at the end of this book, a new and special friend comes to Honalee…In this way Puff and Jackie’s friendship continues through new children like you.”
—Peter Yarrow -
Puff, the Magic Dragon is simply one of the most beloved songs of all tim, a classic that’s become as much a part of the childhood experience as Mother Goose and fairy tales. Do I as a dutch girl aquanted it in a secondhand bookshop while being an adult.
Yet singer/songwriter Peter Yarrow and co-composer Lenny Lipton have never allowed a picture book adaptation of this magical tale…until now.
With Yarrow’s and Lipton’s blessing, Puff, Jackie Paper, and the land of Honalee finally live on the page.
The exquisite package included a cloth case with a tipped-in illustration and an embossed jacket with foil touches, as well as an exclusive CD featuring not only Puff, but several other songs performed by Yarrow, his daughter Bethany, and cellist Rufus Cappadocia.
It's is so special.
Beautifully illustrated . . . smartly designed . . . More than 40 years after ‘Puff’…was released, this volume . . . brings the land of Honalee to new life.”
—The New York Times -
The timeless children's song . . . in a beautiful, bestselling picture book filled with enchantment.
“Puff has appeared to me both childlike and wise, a king but also a willing follower of just about any bright spirit that inspired him. Puff gives his whole heart and soul to one special friend…One day, as you can see at the end of this book, a new and special friend comes to Honalee…In this way Puff and Jackie’s friendship continues through new children like you.”
—Peter Yarrow -
Puff, the Magic Dragon is simply one of the most beloved songs of all tim, a classic that’s become as much a part of the childhood experience as Mother Goose and fairy tales. Do I as a dutch girl aquanted it in a secondhand bookshop while being an adult.
Yet singer/songwriter Peter Yarrow and co-composer Lenny Lipton have never allowed a picture book adaptation of this magical tale…until now.
With Yarrow’s and Lipton’s blessing, Puff, Jackie Paper, and the land of Honalee finally live on the page.
The exquisite package included a cloth case with a tipped-in illustration and an embossed jacket with foil touches, as well as an exclusive CD featuring not only Puff, but several other songs performed by Yarrow, his daughter Bethany, and cellist Rufus Cappadocia.
It's is so special.
May 28, 2017
Love it! Love it! Love it! What marvelous memories I have that are attached to this song! Beautifully illustrated! So well done, Mr. Yarrow, and I thank you! There is a four song CD of Peter, Paul, and Mary with Bethany and Rufus. Truly divine!
May 13, 2019
'Puff the Magic Dragon, lived by the sea, And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee' sang Peter, Paul and Mary in a 1963 recording. Well, here is the song presented in storybook style with absolutely delightful paintings by Eric Puybaret.
It is a story of an ageless dragon, Puff, and his playmate Jackie Paper, a little boy who 'loved that rascal Puff' and bought him presents as they 'frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee'.
Despite Puff's gigantic tail they managed to travel on a boat 'with billowed sail', visiting noble kings and princes, who 'bowed whene'er they came' and pirate ships, which would 'lower their flag when Puff roared out his name'.
They certainly had fun but then Jackie grew up and 'came no more' so Puff sadly 'ceased his fearless roar' and 'his head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain' as he ceased to play 'along the cherry lanes'.
Puff was so sad, as is the reader, that 'without his lifelong friend', he could 'not be brave' and he 'slipped into his cave'. But then he was cheered up by the arrival of a young lady who became his friend and once more 'Puff, the magic dragon, lived by the sea, And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee'. Happiness once again!
At the conclusion of the tale, Peter Yarrow (the Peter of Peter, Paul and Mary) tells how fans have told him how the song moved them as children, often making them cry, and how they have sung it to their own children and grandchildren in later times. He explains that he 'loves the spirit of Honalee's gentleness, which offers rest and peace to all who come to know it' and how that spirit is reflected in the beautiful illustrations in the book ... and it certainly is.
There is also a short note by Lenny Lipton, the then 19-year-old Cornell University student on whose poem the song was based. And Lipton was inspired by an Ogden Nash poem titled 'Custard the Dragon', which was, in true Nashian-style, about a 'realio, trulio little pet dragon'. He also tells an interesting story about being on the Hawaiian island of Kauai with his family and friends when they came across a gigantic lava cave on the edge of Hanalei Bay.
This raised the question from one of his friends as to why he had set 'Puff the Magic Dragon' there. Lipton told him that he had never heard of Hanalei when he wrote the poem and he had no idea that it had a cave fit for a dragon!
He added that there were many what-ifs along the way to 'Puff' for he had left the poem in Peter Yarrow's typewriter and Peter added some new lyrics and turned it into a song. He says that he could so easily have taken that piece of paper away with him and Peter might never have seen it, adding also that if Peter hadn't met Paul and Mary it was probable that nobody would have ever heard of Puff.
We probably all agree that if that had been the case, the world would have missed something special and been a sadder place for that.
It is a story of an ageless dragon, Puff, and his playmate Jackie Paper, a little boy who 'loved that rascal Puff' and bought him presents as they 'frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee'.
Despite Puff's gigantic tail they managed to travel on a boat 'with billowed sail', visiting noble kings and princes, who 'bowed whene'er they came' and pirate ships, which would 'lower their flag when Puff roared out his name'.
They certainly had fun but then Jackie grew up and 'came no more' so Puff sadly 'ceased his fearless roar' and 'his head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain' as he ceased to play 'along the cherry lanes'.
Puff was so sad, as is the reader, that 'without his lifelong friend', he could 'not be brave' and he 'slipped into his cave'. But then he was cheered up by the arrival of a young lady who became his friend and once more 'Puff, the magic dragon, lived by the sea, And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee'. Happiness once again!
At the conclusion of the tale, Peter Yarrow (the Peter of Peter, Paul and Mary) tells how fans have told him how the song moved them as children, often making them cry, and how they have sung it to their own children and grandchildren in later times. He explains that he 'loves the spirit of Honalee's gentleness, which offers rest and peace to all who come to know it' and how that spirit is reflected in the beautiful illustrations in the book ... and it certainly is.
There is also a short note by Lenny Lipton, the then 19-year-old Cornell University student on whose poem the song was based. And Lipton was inspired by an Ogden Nash poem titled 'Custard the Dragon', which was, in true Nashian-style, about a 'realio, trulio little pet dragon'. He also tells an interesting story about being on the Hawaiian island of Kauai with his family and friends when they came across a gigantic lava cave on the edge of Hanalei Bay.
This raised the question from one of his friends as to why he had set 'Puff the Magic Dragon' there. Lipton told him that he had never heard of Hanalei when he wrote the poem and he had no idea that it had a cave fit for a dragon!
He added that there were many what-ifs along the way to 'Puff' for he had left the poem in Peter Yarrow's typewriter and Peter added some new lyrics and turned it into a song. He says that he could so easily have taken that piece of paper away with him and Peter might never have seen it, adding also that if Peter hadn't met Paul and Mary it was probable that nobody would have ever heard of Puff.
We probably all agree that if that had been the case, the world would have missed something special and been a sadder place for that.
June 25, 2014
I loved this book as a child of 6 being read to by my mum.
But....
It is soooo sad and I remember howling my eyes out til I could hardly see straight. I wouldn't let her stop reading though; I had to know what happened (even though I knew what happened because hey, what kid born in the seventies didn't grow up being lulled to sleep by Peter Paul and Mary, right?)
Anyway, as an adult, we know that Puff is a metaphor for childhood imagination but as a kid it goes whoosh over your head and all you know is your beloved Puff is gone. *sniff sniff
Still, you gotta love it.
* by the way, the version I grew up on was written in 1979 by Romeo Muller. I need to switch this review over
But....
It is soooo sad and I remember howling my eyes out til I could hardly see straight. I wouldn't let her stop reading though; I had to know what happened (even though I knew what happened because hey, what kid born in the seventies didn't grow up being lulled to sleep by Peter Paul and Mary, right?)
Anyway, as an adult, we know that Puff is a metaphor for childhood imagination but as a kid it goes whoosh over your head and all you know is your beloved Puff is gone. *sniff sniff
Still, you gotta love it.
* by the way, the version I grew up on was written in 1979 by Romeo Muller. I need to switch this review over
April 9, 2025
Honestly 10/10. Think I’ve read it about 50 times now. Would read again. The pages are falling out of mine so if anybody wants to sell me their book I’ll pay big bucks I love puff!
All puff haters can eat dust #pufforever
All puff haters can eat dust #pufforever
March 27, 2025
Very cute! Glad I finally read this one.
October 17, 2017
My daughter got this book and companion music CD for her birthday, and I have to say that I greatly enjoyed reading it. It is the classic, well known lyrics to the Peter, Paul and Mary song, set to beautiful drawings. But much to my delight, the final pages, where the song becomes sad, the drawings give a beautiful hope for the future of Puff.
February 14, 2025
Great book. Would recommend. I love that rascal Puff.
April 12, 2014
This 50TH BIRTHDAY edition of the song written in 1959 by Peter Yarrow and Leonard Lipton is a delight for the eyes in this wonderful picture book. It is a special reminder of a song that many (in my age bracket) sang and sang again and still do today. Although the song has some sadness to it, this storybook version has a new ending. Puff, the Magic Dragon was originally sung by Peter, Paul, and Mary in 1960. They continued to sing it at concerts for years and years to come.
The song is the story. The story is the song. In this beautifully illustrated picture book, the song comes alive in a new way through Eric Puybaret's eye-catching, unique artwork. Each double-page scene is bold yet filled with detail, colorful yet subdued. Each character is full of expression. All of this gives way to a journey of the imagination to Honalee.
This edition has a CD with four songs (Puff twice) sung by Peter Yarrow and his daughter Bethany plus cellist Rufus Cappadocia. The trio Peter, Bethany and Rufus can be found @ http://www.peterbethanyandrufus.com).
The book makes this a special version of a song I have loved for well over fifty years. There have been over a million copies sold, while translated into fourteen languages.
Reading Level: Age range: 3 - 5 Years
Authors:
This is Peter Yarrow's picture book debut. In 1959, Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton co-created the beloved song Puff, the Magic Dragon. As a member of the renowned trio Peter, Paul & Mary, Peter Yarrow earned an Emmy nomination for his animated TV specials based on Puff, the Magic Dragon. Among the many honors bestowed upon him, Yarrow is most proud of the Allard K. Lowenstein Award, which he received in 1982 for advancing the causes of human rights, peace, and freedom. He lives in Telluride, Colorado and New York City. Mr. Yarrow can be found @ http://peteryarrow.net
A website with the Peter, Paul, and Mary trio is @ http://www.peterpaulandmary.com
Lenny Lipton is the inventor of the modern 3-D projection system used in cinemas worldwide and the author of four books on motion-picture technology. He received an award from the Smithsonian for his invention. He lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife, three children, and a wide variety of animals. Mr. Lipton can be found @ http://lennylipton.com
Illustrator:
Eric Puybaret graduated from the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Puff, the Magic Dragon was his first book, and he has since gone on to illustrate several others, including The Nutcracker for Sterling, and a picture book edition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow with a musical interpretation by Judy Collins. Puybaret lives in Paris, France. Some of his illustrations can be found @ http://xaxor.com/drawings/27774-Illus...
The song is the story. The story is the song. In this beautifully illustrated picture book, the song comes alive in a new way through Eric Puybaret's eye-catching, unique artwork. Each double-page scene is bold yet filled with detail, colorful yet subdued. Each character is full of expression. All of this gives way to a journey of the imagination to Honalee.
This edition has a CD with four songs (Puff twice) sung by Peter Yarrow and his daughter Bethany plus cellist Rufus Cappadocia. The trio Peter, Bethany and Rufus can be found @ http://www.peterbethanyandrufus.com).
The book makes this a special version of a song I have loved for well over fifty years. There have been over a million copies sold, while translated into fourteen languages.
Reading Level: Age range: 3 - 5 Years
Authors:
This is Peter Yarrow's picture book debut. In 1959, Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton co-created the beloved song Puff, the Magic Dragon. As a member of the renowned trio Peter, Paul & Mary, Peter Yarrow earned an Emmy nomination for his animated TV specials based on Puff, the Magic Dragon. Among the many honors bestowed upon him, Yarrow is most proud of the Allard K. Lowenstein Award, which he received in 1982 for advancing the causes of human rights, peace, and freedom. He lives in Telluride, Colorado and New York City. Mr. Yarrow can be found @ http://peteryarrow.net
A website with the Peter, Paul, and Mary trio is @ http://www.peterpaulandmary.com
Lenny Lipton is the inventor of the modern 3-D projection system used in cinemas worldwide and the author of four books on motion-picture technology. He received an award from the Smithsonian for his invention. He lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife, three children, and a wide variety of animals. Mr. Lipton can be found @ http://lennylipton.com
Illustrator:
Eric Puybaret graduated from the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Puff, the Magic Dragon was his first book, and he has since gone on to illustrate several others, including The Nutcracker for Sterling, and a picture book edition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow with a musical interpretation by Judy Collins. Puybaret lives in Paris, France. Some of his illustrations can be found @ http://xaxor.com/drawings/27774-Illus...
April 26, 2011
I have not listened to the cd yet but the book was beautiful. I still wonder about Little Jackie Paper though.
May 1, 2022
I feel so torn because I wanted to love this, but I was a little disappointed. The artwork is gorgeous and I adore that it’s written by one of the original artists for the song…but they cut out various portions of the song which made reading it annoyingly jarring at times.
I still adore the story and theme and I love the song. But I can’t help wishing they’d just done the whole song for the text.
I still adore the story and theme and I love the song. But I can’t help wishing they’d just done the whole song for the text.
June 17, 2020
I liked the illustrations
November 28, 2019
I always loved the song so looked at the book when it was first published and I had purchased for the library. I like it a lot but I forgot about it until my grandson was born and then I ran out and bought a copy. He is coming this weekend so maybe I'll get a chance to read this or other books to him. I can't wait! But back to this book. It is a beautiful little song and the illustrator has done a lovely job. I especially like the gentle way it hints at how time passes on by having yet another generation, Jack's little girl, come and play with Puff!
July 10, 2019
The song plus beautiful illustrations.
March 11, 2022
A good visual adaptation of the song with dreamy, slightly dark artwork.
May 23, 2010
Yarrow, Peter. & Lipton, Lenny. Puff the Magic Dragon. New York: Sterling Publishing Company Inc., 2007.
Genre – Fiction, Dragon Tale.
This book is based off the old song known by most, Puff the Magic Dragon. This version tells the tale of a dragon who plays with his friend Jackie Paper. They do everything together until Jackie Paper grows up and Puff the dragon. In this book however it seems that Jackie Papers daughter comes to take Jackie’s place as the dragons best friend.
This book is a very simple read. It is also in song/poem format so young children would like it even more so. The rhythm makes it easier for a child to memorize the story so they can retell it when they want using mainly the pictures as reference points. The book itself covers the fact that children do grow up and leave their imagination behind to become adults. But the imagination really never has to die completely. When Jackie’s daughter arrives, Jackie can be seen to the side of the page watching his daughter play with the dragon. Good story, this version comes with a media CD so the kids can read the book by themselves as well.
Genre – Fiction, Dragon Tale.
This book is based off the old song known by most, Puff the Magic Dragon. This version tells the tale of a dragon who plays with his friend Jackie Paper. They do everything together until Jackie Paper grows up and Puff the dragon. In this book however it seems that Jackie Papers daughter comes to take Jackie’s place as the dragons best friend.
This book is a very simple read. It is also in song/poem format so young children would like it even more so. The rhythm makes it easier for a child to memorize the story so they can retell it when they want using mainly the pictures as reference points. The book itself covers the fact that children do grow up and leave their imagination behind to become adults. But the imagination really never has to die completely. When Jackie’s daughter arrives, Jackie can be seen to the side of the page watching his daughter play with the dragon. Good story, this version comes with a media CD so the kids can read the book by themselves as well.
November 12, 2015
I love this story because of the beautiful illustrations and text that tell the same story as the song made famous by Peter, Paul, and Mary. The song beautifully depicts the cycle of childhood imagination and provides a singable melody for young toddlers and children. The singable melody and enchanting pictures in this storybook tell a beautiful ongoing story of childhood fantasy. After recently rediscovering this classic childhood story, the book took on new meanings for me since reading it as a child. In that way, this book provides a special coming of age story that is relatable to everyone.
This book, since it is rooted in song, is more easy to follow than simple text because of the rhythmic, melodic, and rhyming flow of the words. Thus, it is a great choice for a shared reading experience with children and adults. Also, due to the lullaby sounding melody, it is especially soothing before nap time in classrooms or bedtime with caregivers.
This book, since it is rooted in song, is more easy to follow than simple text because of the rhythmic, melodic, and rhyming flow of the words. Thus, it is a great choice for a shared reading experience with children and adults. Also, due to the lullaby sounding melody, it is especially soothing before nap time in classrooms or bedtime with caregivers.
June 24, 2012
Puff the magic dragon - even the title gets a child excited! Magic AND dragons?! This story is taken from a song which I remember singing quite joyfully as a child! The story has followed through from here and tells the story of a dragon named Puff who lives by the sea, he and a little boy go on a variety of magical adventures, but when the little boy grows up Puff is left feeling lonely but when a girl comes along curiously looking into the cave it all changes. The artwork is lavished in dark greens and deep sea blues, which art spirals into the song’s ending, it starts to seem so sad but turns surprisingly into a joyful moment.
August 9, 2012
I know this is a classic (or whatever) but I just didn't like it. The illustrations were beautiful paintings, but it's such a sad story! This magical dragon gets forgotten by his friend because his friend grows up. Judging by the pictures, it seems that another child comes along soon to play with him, but it never even says that in the story. It's sad and not fun to read. The copy we got from the library had a CD in the back, but as soon as the song started, my toddler told me to stop it because he didn't like it or want to listen to the music.
I don't even care if it's supposed to be a metaphor for drugs or not. It was a boring, depressing story.
I don't even care if it's supposed to be a metaphor for drugs or not. It was a boring, depressing story.
September 15, 2009
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! I love the way that the book ends. The song ends so sadly, yet the book's illustrations paint a totally different (and sweet) ending! There is a CD that you play while you flip through the pages and it is just so sweet. I think (actually, I know) that I loved it even more than the boys did! This was a great, random find at the library.
November 17, 2012
Both of my kids (five and 18 months) loved this one immediately. I love it because the pictures give a happy ending to what is otherwise the saddest song in the world.
We've had the book in our house for about eight hours and I have already lost my voice from reading/singing it over and over. It's a hit.
We've had the book in our house for about eight hours and I have already lost my voice from reading/singing it over and over. It's a hit.
August 22, 2011
This a great read for teaching phonemic awareness in the category of rhyming. It is also an excellent read for teaching the value of friendships. This fantasy poem is wonderful for addressing standards which focus upon phonemic awareness.
September 25, 2012
My mom went to high school with Paul Stookey, of Peter, Paul & Mary who wrote & sang this song. I think everyone knows the song.
August 27, 2015
...one of my favorite song... my Dad always play this song when I was young... Peter, Paul and Mary...
March 6, 2019
13 on the Phil Scale
This was my childhood favorite. I had a tape of the song that I'd always listen to, that is, until my brother pulled out the tape and destroyed it. Sad. :(
This was my childhood favorite. I had a tape of the song that I'd always listen to, that is, until my brother pulled out the tape and destroyed it. Sad. :(
September 6, 2021
Best childrens book ever. Mans was literally on the shrooms. Didn't realise the dark side to it till years later though. Still absolutely insane. Some random kids who learns the way of the puffs early in life, what book is better?
May 29, 2021
I loved this book as a child and was so happy to find an updated version with a CD to be able to share the story, with music,with my own children.
December 4, 2022
Literally my childhood!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 372 reviews