Dragon Gets By
A gentle, situational comedy about a blue dragon having a very bad day. Unlike other Pilkey books, the humor is focused on everyday mishaps and food rather than gross-out jokes, making it great for households that skip the toilet humor.
Dragon Gets By by Dav Pilkey is estimated to take about 7 minutes to read aloud (614 words, about 2 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 5-8.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 7 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 614Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 2Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 2/5everyday words
- Best for
- Ages 5-8Our editorial fit
Our review
This is a much softer side of Pilkey. The story follows a dragon who accidentally eats a whole grocery store and struggles to get his car home, using humor that relies on the situation rather than being loud or crude.
It is organized into five short chapters, each featuring a lighthearted gag. While it lacks the chaotic energy of the superhero books, its approachability makes it a lovely option for younger or more sensitive readers.
Before you buy it
Don't expect the same tone or look as Dog Man; it's quite different. Also, check that you're getting the new Acorn reissue, as the original version was out of print for quite a while.
Themes
- dragons
- silly
- everyday life
- food
Books like Dragon Gets By
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Hi! Fly Guyabout 4.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Mr. Putter & Tabby Pour the Teaabout 6.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Poppletonabout 9 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Henry and Mudge: The First Bookabout 8.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Frog and Toad Are Friendsabout 22 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Dragon Gets By aloud?
About 7 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 614. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Dragon Gets By actually for?
Ages 5-8 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 2 sentences a page and vocabulary at 2 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Dragon Gets By survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Will my child memorise Dragon Gets By?
It can. It scores 4 out of 5 with us for holding up to repeat reading, and children tend to learn by heart the books they ask for most, even without a strong refrain.
Can a beginning reader read Dragon Gets By on their own?
It is closer than most picture books. With 2 sentences a page and plain vocabulary (2 out of 5), a confident early reader can attempt it, though it is written to be read aloud first.
Is Dragon Gets By part of a series?
Yes, it belongs to the Dragon Tales series. It stands on its own, so you can start here without reading the others in order, then move to the rest if it lands.
What themes does Dragon Gets By cover?
We tag it with dragons, silly, everyday life and food. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
