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A Dragon's Guide #1
A Dragon's Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans
Fans of How to Train Your Dragon will love this whimsical tale, the first in a series, by a Newbery Honor winner, featuring charming illustrations and pet "training tips" in each chapter. Crusty dragon Miss Drake has a new pet human, precocious Winnie. Oddly enough, Winnie seems to think Miss Drake is her pet—a ridiculous notion! Unknown to most of its inhabitants, the City by the Bay is home to many mysterious and fantastic creatures, hidden beneath the parks, among the clouds, and even in plain sight. And Winnie wants to draw every new creature she the good, the bad, and the ugly. But Winnie’s sketchbook is not what it seems. Somehow, her sketchlings have been set loose on the city streets! It will take Winnie and Miss Drake’s combined efforts to put an end to the mayhem . . . before it’s too late. This refreshing debut collaboration by Laurence Yep, a two-time Newbery Honor winner and a Laura Ingalls Wilder Award winner, and Joanne Ryder features illustrations by Mary GrandPré. Praise for A Dragon's Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans*“Warm humor, magical mishaps, and the main characters’ budding mutual respect and affection combine to give this opener for a planned series a special shine.” –Booklist, Starred “Aternately comical, suspenseful and sometimes sweetly emotional.” –Kirkus Reviews “With a black-and-white spot illustration opening most chapters, an engaging narrator, and a consistently fluid writing style, this title makes a fine dragon choice for readers.” –School Library Journal “In this series launch, Yep and Ryder conjure up a world where dragons and humans interact, and the results are heartwarming and quite funny.” –Publishers Weekly “A clever and amusing novel that imagines a magical world that nestles right up against our own and sometimes crosses over.” –The Bulleting of the Center for Children’s Books Praise for A Dragon’s Guide to Making Your Human Smarter"Yep and Ryder keep the magic coming with their whimsical fantasy, enhanced by Grandpré's sweet drawings. The story positively vibrates with fun." —Kirkus Reviews" Lighthearted episodes of unusual school lessons and field trips, illustrated by GrandPré’s winsome spot art, are grounded by Miss Drake’s more serious encounters with the goons...a gratifying development as this buoyant, fantastical series continues."—The Horn Book Review
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2015
145 people are currently reading
2293 people want to read
About the author
Laurence Yep
119 books294 followersBorn June 14, 1948 in San Francisco, California, Yep was the son of Thomas Gim Yep and Franche Lee Yep. Franche Lee, her family's youngest child, was born in Ohio and raised in West Virginia where her family owned a Chinese laundry. Yep's father, Thomas, was born in China and came to America at the age of ten where he lived, not in Chinatown, but with an Irish friend in a white neighborhood. After troubling times during the Depression, he was able to open a grocery store in an African-American neighborhood. Growing up in San Francisco, Yep felt alienated. He was in his own words his neighborhood's "all-purpose Asian" and did not feel he had a culture of his own. Joanne Ryder, a children's book author, and Yep met and became friends during college while she was his editor. They later married and now live in San Francisco.
Although not living in Chinatown, Yep commuted to a parochial bilingual school there. Other students at the school, according to Yep, labeled him a "dumbbell Chinese" because he spoke only English. During high school he faced the white American culture for the first time. However, it was while attending high school that he started writing for a science fiction magazine, being paid one cent a word for his efforts. After two years at Marquette University, Yep transferred to the University of California at Santa Cruz where he graduated in 1970 with a B.A. He continued on to earn a Ph.D. in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1975. Today as well as writing, he has taught writing and Asian American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Barbara.
Although not living in Chinatown, Yep commuted to a parochial bilingual school there. Other students at the school, according to Yep, labeled him a "dumbbell Chinese" because he spoke only English. During high school he faced the white American culture for the first time. However, it was while attending high school that he started writing for a science fiction magazine, being paid one cent a word for his efforts. After two years at Marquette University, Yep transferred to the University of California at Santa Cruz where he graduated in 1970 with a B.A. He continued on to earn a Ph.D. in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1975. Today as well as writing, he has taught writing and Asian American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Barbara.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 390 reviews
June 4, 2017
Such a cute book! Full of fun and magic.
A five thousand year old dragon lives in a mansion in San Francisco. She is still mourning the death of her pet, Fluffy, or Amelia, as normals called her. But for Winnie she was Great Aunt Amelia and she left the responsibility of the dragon, Miss Drake, to her.
This book is a lot of fun complete with tea parties and magical Fares. Excellent book!
A five thousand year old dragon lives in a mansion in San Francisco. She is still mourning the death of her pet, Fluffy, or Amelia, as normals called her. But for Winnie she was Great Aunt Amelia and she left the responsibility of the dragon, Miss Drake, to her.
This book is a lot of fun complete with tea parties and magical Fares. Excellent book!
June 19, 2023
An adorable book that deals with grief/loss so beautifully, with witty banter and the ability to tug at the heartstrings easily.
March 13, 2021
Delightful story and start to a trilogy, about a 3000-year old dragon, going by the name of Mrs Drake to others, and young Winnie, the granddaughter of Drake’s former pet, Amelia.
Drake and Winnie’s initial dealings were a little adversarial, but by the end both dragon and girl come to care and respect the other.
I loved the bits of advice on pet (human) care, along with an illustration, that begin the chapters. The advice, and the whole book, is filled with humour, along with a fine sense of adventure in meeting and making new friends and in dealing with dangerous, magical problems.
Drake and Winnie’s initial dealings were a little adversarial, but by the end both dragon and girl come to care and respect the other.
I loved the bits of advice on pet (human) care, along with an illustration, that begin the chapters. The advice, and the whole book, is filled with humour, along with a fine sense of adventure in meeting and making new friends and in dealing with dangerous, magical problems.
September 24, 2015
У мисс Дрейк умер питомец. Умный, ласковый, любимый...
Мисс Дрейк в печали и не планирует больше никого заводить - слишком это хлопотно. Привязываешься, привыкаешь, а они потом бац... и умирают.
Вот только Винни - внучка почившего питомца мисс Дрейк - решила не спрашивать и сама пришла в логово дракона.
Бабушка очень много рассказывала Винни о своей крылатой подруге и даже оставила в наследство ключ от ее дома.
Мисс Дрейк в панике - этот ребенок совершенно невоспитан и удивительно нагл. Но, может, все-таки новый питомец не повредит?
Винни в восторге - у нее появился собственный дракон!
Удивительно милая и смешная детская книжка на 40 вордовских страниц)))
Повествование ведется от лица дракона - мисс Дрейк - и каждая глава начинается с мудрого совета по уходу за людьми.
Наблюдать за взаимным приручением очень интересно. Диалоги остроумны, но не заумны. Никакой грязи, лишь волшебство, приключения, детская непосредственность и ворчливая драконша-воспитательница xDD
Пожалела, что под рукой нет ребенка, которому можно почитать эту сказку)) Но и сама получила море удовольствия.
Если вы тоже любите книжки, предназначенные для детишек 8-12 лет *краснеет*, то не пропустите эту. Много времени не займет ;)
Мисс Дрейк в печали и не планирует больше никого заводить - слишком это хлопотно. Привязываешься, привыкаешь, а они потом бац... и умирают.
Вот только Винни - внучка почившего питомца мисс Дрейк - решила не спрашивать и сама пришла в логово дракона.
Бабушка очень много рассказывала Винни о своей крылатой подруге и даже оставила в наследство ключ от ее дома.
Мисс Дрейк в панике - этот ребенок совершенно невоспитан и удивительно нагл. Но, может, все-таки новый питомец не повредит?
Винни в восторге - у нее появился собственный дракон!
Удивительно милая и смешная детская книжка на 40 вордовских страниц)))
Повествование ведется от лица дракона - мисс Дрейк - и каждая глава начинается с мудрого совета по уходу за людьми.
Наблюдать за взаимным приручением очень интересно. Диалоги остроумны, но не заумны. Никакой грязи, лишь волшебство, приключения, детская непосредственность и ворчливая драконша-воспитательница xDD
Пожалела, что под рукой нет ребенка, которому можно почитать эту сказку)) Но и сама получила море удовольствия.
Если вы тоже любите книжки, предназначенные для детишек 8-12 лет *краснеет*, то не пропустите эту. Много времени не займет ;)
November 10, 2014
Miss Drake, a feisty three thousand year old dragon, hasn't yet properly mourned the loss of her last human pet, when a new one burst through her door, completely unannounced. Winnie, an outspoken and sassy 10-year-old, claims that Miss Drake's favorite human pet, Fluffy, was also her Great-Aunt Amelia and that, in her will, she left her mansion to Winnie's mother and her "guest" to Winnie. And by "guest" she means Miss Drake, of course! As if Miss Drake was Fluffy's pet and not the other way around. How outrageously silly!
As Miss Drake reluctantly takes little Winnie under her wings, the two unlikely friends take to exploring San Francisco, starting with its magical side. To keep her new pet occupied and happy, Miss Drake buys her a sketchpad. Unaware of its magical properties, Winnie begins to fill its pages with drawings of magical creatures. Imagine their surprise when Winnie's drawing come to life and escape into the city! The two of them will have to capture them and put everything back I'm order before it's too late.
A Dragon's Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans is quite a charming and delightful book. Fans of adventure stories filled with magical creatures (including but not limited to grouchy dragons) and witty humor will have a fantastic time reading it. This is a perfect little read for kids ages 8-12, though I'm confident adults will enjoy it, too. I certainly did!
While in parts it can get a bit heavy on descriptions, it is overall a nicely paced, fast-moving and engaging story. And the descriptions are really quite breathtaking, adding to the magical atmosphere of this novel. The dialogues are sparkling and bursting with clever humor - I absolutely loved the good-natured bickering between the big old dragon and the little girl, their back-and-forth was very heart-warming and chuckle-worthy.
Both Winnie and Miss Drake are wonderful characters. Their adventures are exciting and fun to read about! They make a fabulous team, even if they seem tiny bit ill-matched to begin with. Their friendship is truly extraordinary and they compliment each other well.
Winnie is a bright and resourceful girl. Having grew up poor, she has a good understanding of the concept of money and knows not to be wasteful. She's the farthest thing from spoiled, though her family is now wealthy - all thanks to Miss Drake and her pearls. She's clever, witty and very mature for her young age, which makes her a relatable and fun character.
I can imagine how much fun kids will have while reading this book. The idea of a pet dragon crying pearls and casting magical spells is exciting and very appealing, and I don't think there's a kid out there who wouldn't want that for himself. That alone makes this a great addition to every kid's bookshelf. A Dragon's Guide is a story that combines wisdom with entertainment, humor with moments of vulnerability that really touch your heart. It's definitely a book worth reading, even if children's stories are not your usual choice of reading material.
As Miss Drake reluctantly takes little Winnie under her wings, the two unlikely friends take to exploring San Francisco, starting with its magical side. To keep her new pet occupied and happy, Miss Drake buys her a sketchpad. Unaware of its magical properties, Winnie begins to fill its pages with drawings of magical creatures. Imagine their surprise when Winnie's drawing come to life and escape into the city! The two of them will have to capture them and put everything back I'm order before it's too late.
A Dragon's Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans is quite a charming and delightful book. Fans of adventure stories filled with magical creatures (including but not limited to grouchy dragons) and witty humor will have a fantastic time reading it. This is a perfect little read for kids ages 8-12, though I'm confident adults will enjoy it, too. I certainly did!
While in parts it can get a bit heavy on descriptions, it is overall a nicely paced, fast-moving and engaging story. And the descriptions are really quite breathtaking, adding to the magical atmosphere of this novel. The dialogues are sparkling and bursting with clever humor - I absolutely loved the good-natured bickering between the big old dragon and the little girl, their back-and-forth was very heart-warming and chuckle-worthy.
Both Winnie and Miss Drake are wonderful characters. Their adventures are exciting and fun to read about! They make a fabulous team, even if they seem tiny bit ill-matched to begin with. Their friendship is truly extraordinary and they compliment each other well.
Winnie is a bright and resourceful girl. Having grew up poor, she has a good understanding of the concept of money and knows not to be wasteful. She's the farthest thing from spoiled, though her family is now wealthy - all thanks to Miss Drake and her pearls. She's clever, witty and very mature for her young age, which makes her a relatable and fun character.
I can imagine how much fun kids will have while reading this book. The idea of a pet dragon crying pearls and casting magical spells is exciting and very appealing, and I don't think there's a kid out there who wouldn't want that for himself. That alone makes this a great addition to every kid's bookshelf. A Dragon's Guide is a story that combines wisdom with entertainment, humor with moments of vulnerability that really touch your heart. It's definitely a book worth reading, even if children's stories are not your usual choice of reading material.
April 7, 2017
Absolutely charming and delightful book! Loved the whimsy and magic. (Plus there were dragons. So yes. XD)
Read this while in the car on the way to my mysterious vacation destination. Maaaybe I'll get around to a more conclusive review when I get back. ;) But for now, I'll just say this book was darling. <333
Read this while in the car on the way to my mysterious vacation destination. Maaaybe I'll get around to a more conclusive review when I get back. ;) But for now, I'll just say this book was darling. <333
August 16, 2017
This book is delightful. Then again, with that title, how could it not be?
It is a children's book, yes, and the bookworm who wishes to read it must brave the accusingly short shelves of the children's section. But it's the lovely sort of children's book that can be enjoyed by everyone, whether age 9 or age 90. This is partially because it's narrated by a centuries-old dragon and partially because it's such a sweet story of love and loss and friendship. (It's also an interesting twist on the Inherited Magical Thing trope, in that our main character is arguably the thing, or rather, dragon, who has been inherited, and she is, at least at first, not entirely keen on the idea!) The characters and the world are well-crafted and enjoyable to read, and I love the mix of magic and modern. The plot isn't spectacular- I predicted pretty much all the twists- but it's satisfying all the same.
So, if you're looking for something short and light and sweet, if you love magic and dragons and friendship, and if you don't mind venturing into the children's section, I heartily recommend this book. Whether you want a quick book before bed, or something to read in the morning sunshine before you start your day, or a story to curl up with in a rainy day, A Dragon's Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans will be sure to please.
It is a children's book, yes, and the bookworm who wishes to read it must brave the accusingly short shelves of the children's section. But it's the lovely sort of children's book that can be enjoyed by everyone, whether age 9 or age 90. This is partially because it's narrated by a centuries-old dragon and partially because it's such a sweet story of love and loss and friendship. (It's also an interesting twist on the Inherited Magical Thing trope, in that our main character is arguably the thing, or rather, dragon, who has been inherited, and she is, at least at first, not entirely keen on the idea!) The characters and the world are well-crafted and enjoyable to read, and I love the mix of magic and modern. The plot isn't spectacular- I predicted pretty much all the twists- but it's satisfying all the same.
So, if you're looking for something short and light and sweet, if you love magic and dragons and friendship, and if you don't mind venturing into the children's section, I heartily recommend this book. Whether you want a quick book before bed, or something to read in the morning sunshine before you start your day, or a story to curl up with in a rainy day, A Dragon's Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans will be sure to please.
August 18, 2016
Charming! And a bit... erm... more... daringdo gristly than I expected.
Narrated by a grumpy dragon who is being invaded by a new person in her life. Since I'm a "World-building" reading appeal person, I love love loved the descriptions of places. Clipper's Emporium. The gathering near the end (avoiding spoilery specifics).
Some of the grumpiness made me impatient, but my memories of this are fond.
Took this out to the local elementaries leading up to Summer Reading 2016. It wasn't the runaway hit that I wanted it to be, but I still like it a lot.
Narrated by a grumpy dragon who is being invaded by a new person in her life. Since I'm a "World-building" reading appeal person, I love love loved the descriptions of places. Clipper's Emporium. The gathering near the end (avoiding spoilery specifics).
Some of the grumpiness made me impatient, but my memories of this are fond.
Took this out to the local elementaries leading up to Summer Reading 2016. It wasn't the runaway hit that I wanted it to be, but I still like it a lot.
November 18, 2020
Very much the first instalment of a series, but okay for all that. A nice little bedtime read, it requires nothing of you. Even the big crisis scene is not scary for kids. The foreshadowing is very clunky, but I think that has more to do with the author being a member of the facile-TV generation than anything. Particularly nice because not derivative. However, a magical school is mentioned, so it remains to be seen if it morphs into yet another HP wannabe. I hope not.
November 29, 2015
Such a lovely book. The adventure was fun, though probably more thrilling to the target audience. Transcending age, though, are all the parts about friendship and grief. These parts are touching and make the book worthwhile reading for all ages.
February 1, 2016
San Francisco is home to many magical creatures...not that humans notice much. Miss Drake, a refined and sensible dragon, has just inherited a new pet, the young and inquisitive Winnie. And Winnie and her mother have just inherited the grand house where Miss Drake lives, hidden in the basement. Miss Drake and Winnie, both believing the other belongs to them, start off a bit rocky, but soon form a strong bond. When Winnie is accidentally given a magic sketchbook, her drawings of magical creatures come to life and escape into the city. Winnie and Miss Drake must catch them before the magic is noticed. Humans most definitely make for time consuming and sometimes difficult pets, but Miss Drake has just the rules to follow!
Laurence Yep and Joanne Ryder’s A Dragon’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans is a whimsical treat from beginning to end. Full of magical adventures, captivating creatures, laugh-out-loud humor, and two unforgettable heroines, this middle-grade read is simply irresistible.
With a pitch-perfect voice, hearty imagination, and sparkling storytelling, Yep and Ryder weave a consistently amusing and engaging story. Young readers will be dazzled and intrigued by the magical world hidden within the city and all its inhabitants. From a market in the clouds to shops run by magical creatures, a school matriculated by both magicals and humans, an Enchanter’s Fair, and so much more, this is a world readers will easily be swept away by.
I just adore Winnie and Miss Drake! They are both equal parts charm, feisty-ness, and cleverness. They have such an endearing bond and zingy interaction. These two marvelous gals also bring a great deal of heart and emotion to the story.
Winnie and Miss Drake’s wildly fun magical adventures are full of mishaps, mayhem, thrills, and triumphs. Young readers will be thoroughly entertained. And Mary GrandPre’s gorgeous black and white illustrations perfectly capture the story.
my final thoughts: A Dragon’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans is both exciting and tender, funny and sweet, and shines as glittery glimmery as Miss Drake’s pearl tears.
Laurence Yep and Joanne Ryder’s A Dragon’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans is a whimsical treat from beginning to end. Full of magical adventures, captivating creatures, laugh-out-loud humor, and two unforgettable heroines, this middle-grade read is simply irresistible.
With a pitch-perfect voice, hearty imagination, and sparkling storytelling, Yep and Ryder weave a consistently amusing and engaging story. Young readers will be dazzled and intrigued by the magical world hidden within the city and all its inhabitants. From a market in the clouds to shops run by magical creatures, a school matriculated by both magicals and humans, an Enchanter’s Fair, and so much more, this is a world readers will easily be swept away by.
I just adore Winnie and Miss Drake! They are both equal parts charm, feisty-ness, and cleverness. They have such an endearing bond and zingy interaction. These two marvelous gals also bring a great deal of heart and emotion to the story.
Winnie and Miss Drake’s wildly fun magical adventures are full of mishaps, mayhem, thrills, and triumphs. Young readers will be thoroughly entertained. And Mary GrandPre’s gorgeous black and white illustrations perfectly capture the story.
my final thoughts: A Dragon’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans is both exciting and tender, funny and sweet, and shines as glittery glimmery as Miss Drake’s pearl tears.
October 27, 2015
Far too many books written for young people, and especially for young people old enough to read on their own, but not yet sophisticated enough readers for the longer, more adult titles, suffer from almost patronizing levels of inconsistency in storytelling and voice, and gigantic plot holes that are never really explained -- young readers are just supposed to either not notice or not care that parts of the book don't make sense.
Given that I have had the misfortune to read a few of the latter type of book for tween readers lately, A Dragon's Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans was like a breath of fresh air. Simply put, it was perfect. The authors managed to create the perfect voice for this crotchety old dragon lady suffering from the loss of her favorite pet, Fluffy (a.k.a. Amelia), and dealing with the intrusion into her life of Amelia's plucky young great-niece Winnie. And the story flows perfectly, never challenging my suspension of disbelief and never leaving me bored.
I loved it. I think you will love it too, however old you may happen to be. It was charming and whimsical and just perfect. :)
Given that I have had the misfortune to read a few of the latter type of book for tween readers lately, A Dragon's Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans was like a breath of fresh air. Simply put, it was perfect. The authors managed to create the perfect voice for this crotchety old dragon lady suffering from the loss of her favorite pet, Fluffy (a.k.a. Amelia), and dealing with the intrusion into her life of Amelia's plucky young great-niece Winnie. And the story flows perfectly, never challenging my suspension of disbelief and never leaving me bored.
I loved it. I think you will love it too, however old you may happen to be. It was charming and whimsical and just perfect. :)
October 16, 2019
Come un cioccolatino: sparisce in un attimo, ma ti lascia buon umore e la bocca che sa di buono. <3
July 26, 2022
This book is delightful
May 25, 2024
Supa fun!
March 28, 2024
4.25/5 ⭐
To było nieoczekiwanie wzruszające, urocze, wciągające, wartościowe i... magiczne
Ta seria powinna być wznowiona w Polsce! Ma w sobie tyle uroku co Baśniobór
To było nieoczekiwanie wzruszające, urocze, wciągające, wartościowe i... magiczne
Ta seria powinna być wznowiona w Polsce! Ma w sobie tyle uroku co Baśniobór
March 24, 2015
Meh.
Not bad, but not truly excellent.
First, way too short. The relationship between the characters, the complexity needed to describe both San Francisco in today's time and the alternate reality of the magical beings and places Miss Drake and Winnie visit, the building action, and the running gag/motif of a guideline to keeping a "pet," all deserved more than the book gave them. Everything felt rushed, underdeveloped, too clipped. I didn't believe the characters as round people. The rising action felt like a first blip or sidequest, rather than the start of the giant climax. The big emotional moments didn't resonate, because there wasn't enough book to make you care before you were told that the characters were crying and sad. And the idea of this book was adorable enough that I wanted something much, much longer. Even the length of a Patricia Wrede dragons book would have been acceptable, and those aren't that long.
Second, Yep and Ryder needed to TONE DOWN the foreshadowing in the first half. Every chapter was "IF I HAD KNOWN WE WERE HEADED FOR DISASTER AND PAIN I WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING." And in the end, it wasn't that bad. Maybe it was but it wasn't well-developed enough to seem that bad. Everyone survived and it was over so quickly that it didn't feel scary or like there were any stakes, much less high ones.
Basically a great idea that, because Laurence Yep is who he is, didn't get the editing and revision it deserved to be great. Bummer.
Not bad, but not truly excellent.
First, way too short. The relationship between the characters, the complexity needed to describe both San Francisco in today's time and the alternate reality of the magical beings and places Miss Drake and Winnie visit, the building action, and the running gag/motif of a guideline to keeping a "pet," all deserved more than the book gave them. Everything felt rushed, underdeveloped, too clipped. I didn't believe the characters as round people. The rising action felt like a first blip or sidequest, rather than the start of the giant climax. The big emotional moments didn't resonate, because there wasn't enough book to make you care before you were told that the characters were crying and sad. And the idea of this book was adorable enough that I wanted something much, much longer. Even the length of a Patricia Wrede dragons book would have been acceptable, and those aren't that long.
Second, Yep and Ryder needed to TONE DOWN the foreshadowing in the first half. Every chapter was "IF I HAD KNOWN WE WERE HEADED FOR DISASTER AND PAIN I WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING." And in the end, it wasn't that bad. Maybe it was but it wasn't well-developed enough to seem that bad. Everyone survived and it was over so quickly that it didn't feel scary or like there were any stakes, much less high ones.
Basically a great idea that, because Laurence Yep is who he is, didn't get the editing and revision it deserved to be great. Bummer.
August 7, 2017
Dragon's Guide...
It was a lovely funeral for Fluffy, the best pet I ever had.
- Opening sentence
Avoid spoiling your pet with too many treats; however, spoiling yourself is all well and good.
- Chapter 4
Be firm with your pet and make it clear what is acceptable behavior. Both you and your pet will be happier for it.
- Chapter 6
This is a cute book told from the point of view of the dragon (Miss Drake). Amelia was Miss Drake's pet (although she called Amelia Fluffy). Amelia left the dragon to her great neice, Winnie. But Miss Drake doesn't want a new pet and Winnie seems untrainable. The book tells how Winnie and Miss Drake get to know each other and become friends. Dragons and other magical creatures hide themselves from humans (unless they are trustworthy). Miss Drakes can transform into a female human when she needs to. There are plenty of other magical creatures who also hide themselves from humans in this story.
I really enjoyed this book. Miss Drake is sarcastic and controlling and Winnie holds her own in the friendship. Winnie finds a journal that ends up wreaking havoc, but together, Miss Drake and Winnie find a way to fix things.
This book is nominated for a 2017-18 Sunshine State Young Readers Award, grades 3-5. I think it will be a popular one this year. I am a bit interested in the sequels, but my classes start again soon, and I don't think I'll have time to read them.
It was a lovely funeral for Fluffy, the best pet I ever had.
- Opening sentence
Avoid spoiling your pet with too many treats; however, spoiling yourself is all well and good.
- Chapter 4
Be firm with your pet and make it clear what is acceptable behavior. Both you and your pet will be happier for it.
- Chapter 6
This is a cute book told from the point of view of the dragon (Miss Drake). Amelia was Miss Drake's pet (although she called Amelia Fluffy). Amelia left the dragon to her great neice, Winnie. But Miss Drake doesn't want a new pet and Winnie seems untrainable. The book tells how Winnie and Miss Drake get to know each other and become friends. Dragons and other magical creatures hide themselves from humans (unless they are trustworthy). Miss Drakes can transform into a female human when she needs to. There are plenty of other magical creatures who also hide themselves from humans in this story.
I really enjoyed this book. Miss Drake is sarcastic and controlling and Winnie holds her own in the friendship. Winnie finds a journal that ends up wreaking havoc, but together, Miss Drake and Winnie find a way to fix things.
This book is nominated for a 2017-18 Sunshine State Young Readers Award, grades 3-5. I think it will be a popular one this year. I am a bit interested in the sequels, but my classes start again soon, and I don't think I'll have time to read them.
October 22, 2015
This is a charming, humorous story told by an ancient dragon living in San Francisco. Children will immediately see that while Ms. Drake may consider her human, Winnie, her pet, Winnie, likewise, sees Ms. Drake as her pet. And while Ms. Drake may consider her manners entirely proper, Winnie gently chides her for being a grouch. Both characters are suffering from the loss of loved ones, Ms. Drake from the loss of Winnie's Aunt ("Fluffy") and Winnie from the death of her father. At the end there is a nice little life lesson about life and loss. Written on about a fifth grade level, elementary students should enjoy this simply told story with fantasy elements.
November 25, 2018
Too much like a movie. By which I mean that I feel cheated, because books can do so much more than movies can. This is a rather simple adventure with rather iconographic characters and themes. Fun enough, short enough, give it a shot if you want to, but don't expect too much.
June 18, 2020
My name is Ms. Drake, and the death of my pet human has brought me great sadness. She told her granddaughter, Winnie, about me, and she's going to take some getting used to. She sometimes talks like I'm her pet, so she's going to need some training. She has a bit of artistic talent, so I didn't see a big problem when Clipper gave her a sketchbook to keep her busy. I should have sensed the sketchbook's magic when I felt a tingle, but it wasn't until later that I discovered my oversight. Winnie was shocked when she saw blank pages where she had recently drawn twenty pictures of creatures she had seen. The creatures had become alive and fled the book! I knew a spell to return them to their pages, so I wasn't overly worried... until I discovered the truth about the last monster Winnie had drawn.
I read this book's sequel first, but it wasn't a problem. The best parts of the story evolved from the humorous interactions between Winnie and Ms. Drake. Ms. Drake was queen of the dragons and was used to being treated with respect and awe. Winnie missed the memo where she was supposed to be obedient and amazed, so fun ensued. Two things stuck in the back of my mind as I read. Winnie's father was trying to get custody of her, but that issue was put on the back burner. Also, Ms. Drake needed to create a pet name for Winnie, and it seemed to be top secret. She didn't tell Winnie about it, and there weren't any clear clues about why it was significant. Guess you'll need to read the sequel. Recapturing the creatures was the main conflict, and the hunt created more amusing situations and some action. The twentieth monster had the ability to wipe out magic, so its apprehension wasn't fun and games. Overall, the book was entertaining, funny, and adventurous, and I recommend you give it a shot.
I read this book's sequel first, but it wasn't a problem. The best parts of the story evolved from the humorous interactions between Winnie and Ms. Drake. Ms. Drake was queen of the dragons and was used to being treated with respect and awe. Winnie missed the memo where she was supposed to be obedient and amazed, so fun ensued. Two things stuck in the back of my mind as I read. Winnie's father was trying to get custody of her, but that issue was put on the back burner. Also, Ms. Drake needed to create a pet name for Winnie, and it seemed to be top secret. She didn't tell Winnie about it, and there weren't any clear clues about why it was significant. Guess you'll need to read the sequel. Recapturing the creatures was the main conflict, and the hunt created more amusing situations and some action. The twentieth monster had the ability to wipe out magic, so its apprehension wasn't fun and games. Overall, the book was entertaining, funny, and adventurous, and I recommend you give it a shot.
February 14, 2018
Loved the reader for the audiobook. Great book to listen to in the car with the kids. My daughter (6yo) gets scared or uncomfortable when things are too intense and this is exciting enough without making her uncomfortable.
Loved the switched paradigm of a dragon having a pet human. Fun world created within our own.
Miss Drake is a dragon who just inherited a new pet, Winnie, a 10 year old obnoxious little girl (or, as her pet thinks, it is she who is inheriting the pet). I couldn't stand Winnie at the beginning of the book, but she grew on me, just like she grew on Miss Drake. I think Yep did a good job of helping us think like Miss Drake. Winnie is not actually anything more than a 10 year old, but Miss Drake is certainly grumpy and treats her very grumpily at the beginning. In the end, they both love each other and succeed by working together. Still reads like kid lit (some plot holes like--where is the mom?), which is fine, because that's what it is.
Loved the switched paradigm of a dragon having a pet human. Fun world created within our own.
Miss Drake is a dragon who just inherited a new pet, Winnie, a 10 year old obnoxious little girl (or, as her pet thinks, it is she who is inheriting the pet). I couldn't stand Winnie at the beginning of the book, but she grew on me, just like she grew on Miss Drake. I think Yep did a good job of helping us think like Miss Drake. Winnie is not actually anything more than a 10 year old, but Miss Drake is certainly grumpy and treats her very grumpily at the beginning. In the end, they both love each other and succeed by working together. Still reads like kid lit (some plot holes like--where is the mom?), which is fine, because that's what it is.
January 3, 2019
A fun read for any creature lover, magical or mundane. And most certainly, dragon lovers.
It's really fun to have the story told through the voice of a four thousand year old dragon rather than her human counterpart, and probably something not a lot of 8- to 12-year-olds have come across yet. I can only imagine how smitten I would have been by the book at that age.
A great story for both boys and girls, but definitely leaning a little more toward the girl side of the audience.
It's really fun to have the story told through the voice of a four thousand year old dragon rather than her human counterpart, and probably something not a lot of 8- to 12-year-olds have come across yet. I can only imagine how smitten I would have been by the book at that age.
A great story for both boys and girls, but definitely leaning a little more toward the girl side of the audience.
July 12, 2017
A cute read about a dragon, her pet human and the trouble they can get into. A great read for the girl who wants a dragon. A fairly simple and easy read, probably 3rd to 4th grade level chapter book.
March 5, 2023
Read this book to my son. It was his first chapter book I read aloud to him. He enjoyed it and is looking forward to the second book. It was fun to read from the dragon's perspective and talk about people as pets. He found that idea funny.
June 18, 2017
Harry Potter-ish.
June 28, 2017
Cute story!
July 27, 2019
The concept of this book is really fun, and I love the magical world in it. Sometimes, Miss Drake's grumpiness could get a little old, but she did grow on me, and Winnie's great.
January 23, 2021
I unironically loved this
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