A Dragon Used to Live Here

Reviews:

Telling stories within a story, Cate’s narrative merges traditional fantasy elements with a more modern, conversational tone. . . . many readers will enjoy the understated wit. . . Spirited drawings bring the settings and engaging characters to life in this very readable chapter book. ~Booklist

Clever, multistranded, and off the charts in read-aloud potential. ~Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Light-hearted and fun. . . Frequent ink illustrations look as though they were sketched by the quirky scribes themselves. . . Listening to an elder tell a potentially embellished tale will ring true for many, and the heartwarming resolution between two old friends is the icing on the lemon scone. ~The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

A story of fantastical beasts that focuses on themes of hard work, determination, and friendship. . . . This adorable mad-cap fantasy will keep readers interested and curious to know what happens next. . . . a great read-aloud that would be enjoyed by all and a must-have for any elementary school library collection. ~School Library Connection

A sparkling chapter book. . . Ingeniously layered, yet infused with a feeling of lively informality. . . Ms. Cate has an admirably playful way of introducing esoteric words into the story so that children will understand them. . . Humorous ink illustrations by the author add buoyancy to this engaging read-aloud. ~The Wall Street Journal

There’s a dragon in the title and on the cover, but don’t be fooled. This old-fashioned tale is about friendship, falling out and forgiveness — and, of course, moat-related mishaps, a missing tennis trophy and the daily life of the castle’s overworked scribe department. ~The Virginian Pilot