Peculiar Picks are a selection of odd, funny, interesting, curious, moving, irreverent, and otherwise wonderfully awesome, but perhaps not well known, reads. Peculiar Picks are books for younger readers and their grown-ups, handpicked by the Library's Youth Services Manager, Joshua Carlson.

My last Peculiar Picks featured two girls who befriended dragons, but that was just scratching the surface of the many wonderful picture books with dragons. In this Peculiar Picks, find some fantastic draconic reads, that all share a similar quality: absolutely amazing artwork.

If you like dragons, perhaps you’d like to check out some other Monster-rific Reads – there’s a display up in the Trove this month!

Ignis by Gina Wilson, illustrated by P.J. Lynch
Library Catalog
A young dragon is good at running, flying and playing dragon games, but not the most dragonish thing of all: he can’t breathe fire. On a quest to find his flame, Ignis meets others, makes friends and learns important lessons about self-confidence and friendship before returning home. Ignis is a wonderful story setting you in a world filled with dragons and magic with lushly gorgeous illustrations.

The Egg by M.P. Robertson
Library Catalog
The Dragon Snatcher by M.P. Robertson
Library Catalog
The Great Dragon Rescue by M.P. Robertson
Library Catalog
Like Ignis, these three picture books by M.P. Robertson feature wondrously classic and gorgeous artwork. Young George’s adventures with his dragon begin when he finds a giant egg in his mother’s chicken coop in The Egg, and then continue through The Dragon Snatcher, where he and the dragon save other dragons from a wizard whose cold heart wants to end dragonkind, and into The Great Dragon Rescue, where they must stop a witch who has captured a baby dragon!

The Dragon Ark: Join the Quest to Save the Rarest Dragon on Earth by Curatoria Draconis, illustrated by Tomislav Tomic
OverDrive & Libby / hoopla / Library Catalog
This oversized book is a wonder, just brimming with interesting stories, amazing illustrations, and so very much for readers obsessed with dragons to obsess over – take it from me: my daughter loves dragons and we’ve had to borrow this book several times from the Library. Detailing the “facts” and myths and legends about dragons from all over the world, readers become apprentices to the Dragon Protector and go on an informational journey aboard the Dragon Ark to learn about dragons and discover clues to the whereabouts of the elusive Celestial Dragon.

Have You Seen My Dragon? by Steve Light
Library Catalog
Have You Seen My Dragon? is a delightful counting journey through New York City, as a young boy scours the city for his missing dragon. The engaging and unique black and white pen and ink drawings are enhanced with pops of color highlighting the objects to count on each page. Plus, seeing the various familiar locales adds to the story.

Gondra’s Treasure by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt
hoopla / Library Catalog
The illustrations in Gondra’s Treasure are just so delightfully whimsical, cute and colorful. Adding to the joy of the illustrations is the sweet story: a tale of heritage and identity, self-acceptance, and the love of parents for their children.

Look for more draconic reads in upcoming Peculiar Picks installments!