← Back to search
Cover of The reluctant dragon

The reluctant dragon

Kenneth Grahame, Jim Weiss, Ernest H. Shepard, Michael Hague (1938)

SubgenreFairy Tale Retelling
Age groupChildren 5-8
Content ratingG
Pages38 (Quick Read (<250))
SettingSecondary World
CSM age5
Buy on Amazon ↗Buy on Bookshop.org ↗Buy on Apple Books ↗

Content levels

ViolenceMild
Sexual contentNone
LanguageNone

Trigger warnings

Not yet tagged

Positive tags

FriendshipHeartwarmingHumorHappy Ending

Protagonist archetypes

Dragon / DragonboundFish out of WaterComing-of-Age Protagonist

Tropes

Dragon CompanionFish out of WaterReluctant HeroComing of AgeNon-Western Setting

Themes

FriendshipPrejudice and MisunderstandingPeaceful ResolutionDefying ExpectationsKindness

Synopsis

The boy who finds the dragon in the cave knows it is a kindly, harmless one, but how can he convince the frightened villagers and especially St. George the dragon killer that there is no cause for concern?

Is The reluctant dragon appropriate for my child?

Suitable for most readers 5 and up.

A gentle classic about a peaceful dragon who doesn't want to fight. No violence or scary content — the conflict is resolved through understanding and friendship rather than combat.

What to know going in

This book has mild violence, no sexual content, and clean language.

Who'll love this

Kids will love the funny, kind dragon who'd rather write poetry than breathe fire, and the clever way the boy helps everyone become friends.

Tags

Children's FantasyClassic LiteratureGentle FantasyIllustrated Book