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Dragons -- Juvenile fiction Books
Best books
L. Frank (Lyman Frank) Baum
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz
"Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz" by L. Frank Baum is a children’s fantasy novel written in the early 20th century. The story continues the adventures of Dorothy Gale, who finds herself in the magical Land of Oz once more, accompanied by familiar characters and new companions. The narrative revolves around Dorothy’s quest to navigate various challenges alongside her friends as they encounter whimsical creatures and face unique threats in this enchanting world. The opening of the novel introduces us to Dorothy as she arrives in California after a long train ride, only to witness a devastating earthquake. Shortly after, she meets a boy named Zeb who is to take her to her uncle's ranch. However, just as they are settling into their journey, they are abruptly caught in another earthquake that causes the ground to crack. This event leads them into a perilous adventure where they encounter strange phenomena and ultimately find themselves in the Glass City inhabited by the Mangaboos. Here, they meet the Wizard, and the story unfolds into a tale filled with whimsical surprises and the whimsical nature of the Land of Oz as they discover new challenges and companions.
E. (Edith) Nesbit
The Book of Dragons
"The Book of Dragons" by E. Nesbit is a collection of whimsical children's stories written in the late 19th century. The tales often feature young boys and girls who encounter various dragons, exploring themes of adventure, magic, and imagination. The opening story introduces us to Lionel, a young boy unexpectedly called to become a king, as he deals with a dragon that he accidentally frees from a magical book. The beginning of the book sets a fanciful tone as it follows Lionel's rapid ascent to royalty. Initially engaged in his innocent play, he soon finds himself in a royal carriage on his way to be crowned king. However, amidst the festivities, Lionel unwittingly releases a red dragon from the book of beasts in the royal library, creating chaos that the kingdom must now address. As he grapples with his new responsibilities and the consequences of his actions, the narrative showcases his determination to protect his subjects and find a solution to the dragon problem. This delightful blend of adventure and fantasy creates an engaging backdrop that invites readers to join Lionel in his journey.
L. Frank (Lyman Frank) Baum
Tik-Tok of Oz
"Tik-Tok of Oz" by L. Frank Baum is a novel published in 1914. The eighth book in the Oz series follows the Shaggy Man's quest to rescue his brother from the Nome King's underground kingdom. Along the way, he encounters a shipwrecked girl named Betsy Bobbin, a conquest-minded queen with her army, and the mechanical man Tik-Tok. Their journey leads them through magical lands, dangerous traps, and a confrontation with the vengeful Nome King that will transform his kingdom forever.
L. Frank (Lyman Frank) Baum
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz
"Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz" by L. Frank Baum is a fantasy novel written during the late 19th century. The story continues the adventures of Dorothy Gale, who, along with new companions such as Zebediah and Eureka the kitten, finds herself ensnared in yet another extraordinary journey through the magical land of Oz. Following a disastrous earthquake that thrusts her and her friends into a perilous underground world, the narrative explores themes of friendship, bravery, and the clash between different realms and beings. The opening of the book introduces Dorothy as she arrives in California, where she is met by Zeb, who is sent to take her to Hugson's Ranch. Not long after their encounter, they experience a violent earthquake that causes the ground to split, and they tragically tumble into a dark pit. As the story unfolds, they navigate strange lands inhabited by odd creatures, including the oddly polite yet menacing Mangaboos, who are composed entirely of vegetable matter. Meanwhile, the return of the Wizard allows them to engage with other magical beings and delve deeper into the mysteries of Oz, all while seeking a way back home. The tale teems with whimsical elements, unexpected conversations, and a touch of danger, ensuring a captivating read for fans of adventure and fantasy alike.
L. Frank (Lyman Frank) Baum
Tik-Tok of Oz
"Tik-Tok of Oz" by L. Frank Baum is a novel published in 1914. The eighth book in the Oz series follows the Shaggy Man on a quest to rescue his brother from the Nome King's underground kingdom. Along the way, he joins forces with shipwrecked Betsy Bobbin, her mule Hank, a Rose Princess, and an ambitious queen seeking conquest. Their journey through magical lands leads to confrontations with the Nome King and unexpected alliances that will determine who rules the underground realm.
L. Frank (Lyman Frank) Baum
The Enchanted Island of Yew Whereon Prince Marvel Encountered the High Ki of Twi and Other Surprising People
"The Enchanted Island of Yew" by L. Frank Baum is a children's fantasy novel published in 1903. A bored fairy convinces three mortal girls to transform her into a human boy for one year. Now called Prince Marvel, this adventurous newcomer sets out across the island of Yew with magical weapons and an enchanted steed. Along the way, Marvel encounters peculiar challenges: a reformed bandit king, a glittering dragon without fire, twin rulers who share one mind, and fraudulent magicians—all in a quest to bring peace to a land overrun by rogues.
Owen Wister
The Dragon of Wantley: His Tale
"The Dragon of Wantley: His Tale" by Owen Wister is a humorous work of fiction written in the late 19th century. The story is set in a medieval manor and revolves around Sir Godfrey Disseisin, a choleric baron, and his daughter, Miss Elaine, as they navigate the existence of a fearsome dragon that terrorizes their land. The narrative blends elements of farce and adventure, highlighting themes of courage, love, and the absurdity of hereditary curses. At the start of the tale, we are introduced to the domestic life at Wantley Manor, wherein Sir Godfrey is preoccupied with his wine cellar, which has been raided by the dragon that plagues the local tenants. Little Whelpdale, a young servant, discovers that the dragon is not only stealing livestock but also indulging in the baron's precious wines. As Sir Godfrey prepares to confront this menace, tensions rise with the legend surrounding the dragon's curse, which stipulates that a female descendant must face the creature alone to lift the affliction. The opening chapter sets the stage for Elaine's bold determination to meet this challenge directly, hinting at adventure as she seeks to defy her father's wishes and confront the dragon.
L. Frank (Lyman Frank) Baum
The Surprising Adventures of the Magical Monarch of Mo and His People
"The Surprising Adventures of the Magical Monarch of Mo and His People" by L. Frank Baum is a children's fantasy novel originally published in 1899. Set in a whimsical valley where everything is edible and people are immortal, the story follows the Monarch of Mo and his royal family through episodic adventures. From battling a head-biting Purple Dragon to outwitting a giant Cast-Iron Man, these playful tales blend fairy-tale magic with modern inventions like telephones and bicycles in a land where happiness reigns supreme.
Dan Totheroh
The last dragon
"The Last Dragon" by Dan Totheroh is a children's fantasy novel written in the early 20th century. It follows siblings Johnathan, Janet Jane, and Peter Baxter, their intrepid Grandma, and two dogs as they befriend a gentle, blue‑eyed dragon—the last of his kind—and ride him back into the Dark Ages. The tale sets up a quest to save the enchanted Princess Silver Toes from the rival dragon Dallahan, aided by a prickly cave-gnome named Crubby. The opening of this story finds the Baxter children staging Arthurian games in a meadow beside a mysterious woodlot, where six-year-old Peter wanders into a cave and awakens a kindly green dragon who calls himself the last in the world. After the children warm to him (and Grandma welcomes him), their mother drives him away, and their father can’t see him at all; but before dawn the dragon taps at the nursery window and carries Johnathan, Janet Jane, Peter, the dogs, and Grandma (who floats down in her rocking chair) on a headlong ride “backwards” through history. They pass scenes from the past, reach a volcano so the dragon can “eat fire,” and retire to his vast cave home, where they meet the tiny, bossy Crubby. He reveals that the dragon’s enchanted companion, Princess Silver Toes, has been stolen, prompting the dragon to tell her backstory—from silver-dipped toes to a witch’s spell and a storm-swept escape. Learning that the kidnapper is Dallahan, the Irish dragon, the group resolves to rescue her and hurries to an armorer on the king’s highway, where Grandma, the children, and even the dogs are fitted with mail and swords, setting the quest in motion.
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