Families who loved A Dragon Used to Live Here by Annette LeBlanc Cate often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child starts to realize that you had a life before they existed, or when they need to see that 'boring' adults possess secret, vibrant histories. This charming story-within-a-story follows two siblings, Thomas and Emily, who discover a cranky castle scribe with tall tales about their mother's adventurous past. It is a witty, meta-fictional exploration of family legacy and the power of storytelling. While it features classic fairy-tale elements like dragons and elves, the heart of the book is the evolving relationship between children and the adults they think they know. The tone is humorous and sophisticated, making it an ideal bridge for children moving into complex chapter books. It is perfectly suited for family read-alouds for ages 7 to 11.