The Dragon in the Library

Published on 21 June 2025 at 15:05

The Dragon in the Library

🐉🪄🧙🏼📖

by Louie Stowell

★★★-

Review

This is an easy-to-read, adventurous, and magic-filled short chapter book, perfect for young readers just beginning their journey into longer fiction. The book subtly teaches the value of reading and encourages children to see books as doorways to new worlds.

Filled with lovely illustrations that break up the text and capture the imagination, it’s a visually engaging and accessible story ideal for children transitioning to chapter books.

The book’s fast-paced plot is packed with excitement and wonder, making it a gripping read from beginning to end. The illustrations not only enhance the story but also help readers stay engaged and confident as they read.

I loved the inventive wizarding world Stowell creates—where magic revolves around books, and those with the gift can literally step into stories, interact with characters, and travel between magical libraries. What a brilliant concept that celebrates imagination and the power of reading!

The characters are a dynamic trio: two bookworms and one who can’t stand reading, offering a relatable mix for all types of readers. My favourite character is (of course) Doggon, the half-dog, half-dragon creature who adds humor and heart to the adventure.

The Dragon in the Library would make a fantastic class read for Year 3 or 4, and is a great choice for readers who enjoy stories full of magic, adventure, and the triumph of good over evil.

Dive Deeper

At a glance

Author: Louie Stowell

Cover artist: Davide Ortu

Release Date: 6th June 2019

Book type: Illustrated chapter, 224 pages

Reader level: Developing reader, 7+

Overview

The story follows Kit, a lively and curious girl who stumbles upon a hidden magical world inside her local library. When Kit discovers she has magical potential, she’s swept into a secret world of wizard librarians, enchanted books, and magical libraries connected through mysterious portals. Alongside her book-loving friends, Kit must stop a dangerous threat that could destroy this magical world—and perhaps the real world too.