The Library Dragon (30th Anniversary Edition) - by Carmen Agra Deedy (Hardcover)

About the Book

Miss Lotta Scales is a dragon who believes her job is to protect the school's library books from the children, but when she finally realizes that books are meant to be read, she turns into Miss Lotty, librarian and storyteller.

Book Synopsis

A funny, playful salute to the value of books and libraries from the New York Times best-selling and beloved author Carmen Agra Deedy.

Sunrise Elementary School had a BIG problem. Their new librarian was a real Dragon!

When Miss Lotta Scales read an ad for a thick-skinned librarian with a burning love of books, she knew she was perfect for the job. After all, who could guard books better than a real dragon?

She took her job seriously: hundreds of new, clean books replaced the old, smudged ones. The thought of sticky little fingers touching and clutching her precious books made her hot under the collar! The principal tried to reason with her, and she singed his tie. The teachers sent a delegation, including sweet Miss Lemon, who told her "the library belongs to the children," but they were all sent away scorched.

When nearsighted Molly Brickmeyer stumbled into the library looking for her glasses, she bumped into a shelf, and a book tumbled into her hands. As she began to read aloud, and the children came to listen, they came face to face with Miss Lotta Scales. Could a book read out loud temper the flames of the school's hot-headed librarian?

Often used to introduce the library during the first week of school, this classic picture book is reissued with an author's note and a QR code to access an audio recording read by the author.

Review Quotes

"An entertaining read. . . White's brightly colored, squashed and squiggly full-bleed illustrations match the tale for good goofiness. Pro-book and library quotes on the endpapers and multiple punny book titles in the illustrations add an extra touch of fun." --Kirkus Reviews

"Eye-catching airbrush art. . . allows readers to enjoy additional searches for humor in twisted book titles, spoofs on tech terminology, and plot or text similarities with the fiery original. Written with a love for the printed word that spreads to quotes on endpapers, this title will find a following with Miss Lotty's fans." --School Library Journal

About the Author

Carmen Agra Deedy is a New York Times best-selling author (14 Cows for America) and nationally known storyteller. Her books have received numerous awards and honors, including a Pura Belpre Honor, Christopher, Jane Addams Honor, and an E.B.White Read-Aloud Honor. Carmen has presented at many prestigious venues, but children are her favorite audience. Born in Havana, Cuba, she came to the United States as a refugee. She lives in Georgia.

Michael White was a popular children's illustrator who spent his time visiting schools and libraries across the country. He passed away in 1921.