Ruth Stiles Gannett Books In Order

My Father’s Dragon

My Father’s Dragon is a children’s novel by Ruth Stiles Gannett about a young boy, Elmer Elevator, who runs away to Wild Island to rescue a baby dragon. Both a Newbery Honor Book and an ALA Notable Book, it is the first book of a trilogy whose other titles are Elmer and the Dragon and The Dragons of Blueland. It was made into an anime film titled, Elmer’s Adventures: My Father’s Dragon. The narrative mode is unusual, in that the narrator refers to the protagonist only as ‘my father’, giving the impression that this is a true story that happened long ago. The illustrations within the book are black and white done with a grease crayon on a grained paper, done by Ruth Chrisman Gannett. The story was cited as a runner up for the Newbery Medal in 1949 and was an ALA Notable Book. It was also nominated for the Ambassador Book Award in 1948. In the story, we meet some tigers, a rhinoceros, a lion, and a gorilla all leading to the baby dragon. There is also a river, an island, and a bridge.

Elmer and the Dragon

‘The author has produced a sequel to My Father’s Dragon that is the equal of that first gem in every respect. Flying back home from Wild Island, Elmer and the Dragon are forced down in another land where dwell all the escaped canaries of the world. Rich, humorous, and thoroughly satisfying fare…
. Highly recommended.’ Library Journal starred review

The Dragons of Blueland

The third volume of the My Father’s Dragon trilogy, this adventure may be enjoyed on its own. Here, the baby dragon summons Elmer to help save his family from hunters. ‘Elmer’s plan is ingenious and plausible, the fantasy well sustained.’ starred Library Journal.

Three Tales of My Father’s Dragon

The classic fantasy trilogy of Elmer Elevator and the flying baby dragon has delighted children and their parents for generations. Now, on the occasion of their fiftieth anniversary, Random House is proud to bring the three timeless tales together in one beautiful commemorative edition, complete with the original delightful illustrations. A Newbery Honor Book and an ALA Notable Book, My Father’s Dragon is followed by Elmer and the Dragon ‘rich, humorous, and thoroughly satisfying’ and The Dragons of Blueland ‘ingenious and plausible, the fantasy well sustained’ . Each story stands alone, but read in succession, they are an unforgettable experience. Library Journal, starred review

From the Hardcover edition.