| Three Tales of My Father's Dragon |  | Author: Ruth Stiles Gannett
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Category: Book
List Price: $12.00
Buy Used: $8.64
You Save: $3.36 (28%)
Used (10) from $8.64
Avg. Customer Rating:  49 reviews
Sales Rank: 2202717
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 6.4 x 1.1
ISBN: 0394891368
EAN: 9780394891361
ASIN: 0394891368
Publication Date: November 12, 1987
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Cover wear and may contain some marks or writing. Keen Northwest ships in 2 business days or less. Refunds for any reason if item returned within 30 days of shipment.
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Review
My Father's Dragon--a favorite of young readers since the 1940s and a Newbery honor book--captures the nonsensical logic of childhood in an amusingly deadpan fashion. The story begins when Elmer Elevator (the narrator's father as a boy) runs away with an old alley cat to rescue a flying baby dragon being exploited on a faraway island. With the help of two dozen pink lollipops, rubber bands, chewing gum, and a fine-toothed comb, Elmer disarms the fiercest of beasts on Wild Island. The quirky, comical adventure ends with a heroic denouement: the freeing of the dragon. Abundant black-and-white lithographs by Ruth Chrisman Gannett (the author's stepmother) add an evocative, lighthearted mood to an already enchanting story. Author Ruth Stiles Gannett's stand-alone sequel, Elmer and the Dragon, and her third volume, The Dragons of Blueland both received starred reviews in School Library Journal and are as fresh and original as her first. (Ages 4 to 8)
Product Description
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.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 44 more reviews...
 Disappointed: a dissenting voice October 7, 2008
I was looking forward to receiving this book, following rave reviews and awards. But both I and my twin nearly-five-year-olds have been very much disappointed, and are unlikely to finish the second book (or even start the third) in this three-volume compilation.
While the theme and content (a quest to rescue a baby dragon, subsequent adventures with dragon) was extremely appealing given this audience's passions, the poor execution of this story neutered the otherwise promising tale.
The first person narrator describing a third person protagonist (the protagonist is "my father" in each sentence) is a tortured device which annoys, and adds nothing (it's not as though this relationship ever plays a role in the story) and a red herring / non-sequitur is the informant cat.
There was little characterisation, so we didn't really get a sense of the heroic adventure that the plot called for and consequently, we failed to become engaged. And to this post-Pippi Longstocking generation there was a certain anticlimatic lack of ingenuity in the uses to which the backpack contents were put.
Most disappointing for me was the artlessness in the telling. I longed for language that would stretch or bounce or play, given all else that was missing in the book. But it wasn't there.
On the plus side, once the protagonist reaches the island, the adventure paces well with a single digestible adventurelet in each chapter. The final chapter worked well too, where the animals all band together in one last-ditch attempt to prevent the rescue.
Admittedly, they're reasonably bright kids - it could be that it would suit a younger mind. If we get through the second (and third) volumes, I'll post an update.
BTW this edition has pages that are more a paperback than a hardback quality.
 WARNING! Black & White Illustrations September 4, 2008
This edition does not have color illustrations. When I purchased it, I was under the impression that it did. They are printed in black and white. The paper in this edition is the sort of paper used in a low quality trade paperback: this isn't really a nice edition. I'm not very pleased.
But the story itself is worth reading in any edition! Wonderful book!
Fantastic Three Tales April 26, 2008
This is a wonderful three-in-one storybook. We are reading it as a family and it is so clever and beautifully written. I would highly recommend; you will not be disappointed.
Three Tales of my Fathers Dragon April 5, 2008
Excellent children's book! I highly recommend it to all
people young and old. Great illustrations and wonderful
imagination!!! A classic!
Fabulous for reading together! April 2, 2008
My wife bought this on recommendation from another Amazon parent and we have enjoyed it very much! We curl up in bed together with our 4.5 yo son and 7+ yo daughter and read a couple of chapters each night. The children adore the story line, Elmer's cleverness and everything about this charming, delightful, classic series. Absolutely get this trilogy to share with your children and your grandchildren; it's wonderful!
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
