author
Ruth Stiles Gannett
Best known for the beloved My Father’s Dragon books, this American children’s writer brought gentle adventure, humor, and imagination to generations of young readers. Her stories of Elmer and his dragon friend have stayed in print for decades and remain a classic entry point to chapter books.
1 Audiobook
My Father's Dragon
by Ruth Stiles Gannett
About the author
Born in Brooklyn in 1923, Ruth Stiles Gannett became one of the lasting voices in American children's literature. She studied at Vassar College, and not long after graduating she published My Father's Dragon in 1948. The book was named a Newbery Honor title and introduced readers to Elmer Elevator, whose journey to rescue a baby dragon became a favorite for families and classrooms alike.
She went on to write two sequels, Elmer and the Dragon and The Dragons of Blueland, creating a trilogy known for its warmth, playful storytelling, and sense of wonder. The books were illustrated by her stepmother, Ruth Chrisman Gannett, and together words and images gave the series its distinctive charm.
Gannett lived a long life and died in June 2024 at the age of 100. Though she wrote other work as well, she is most closely associated with the My Father's Dragon stories, which continue to delight new readers with their mix of bravery, kindness, and imagination.