Dear Dragon

A Pen Pal Tale

Author Josh Funk
Illustrated by Rodolfo Montalvo
Look inside
A sweet and clever friendship story in rhyme, about looking past physical differences to appreciate the person (or dragon) underneath.

George and Blaise are pen pals, and they write letters to each other about everything: their pets, birthdays, favorite sports, and science fair projects. There’s just one thing that the two friends don’t know: George is a human, while Blaise is a dragon! What will happen when these pen pals finally meet face-to-face?

"When I was a kid, my best friend was Josh Funk. Now he's becoming a friend to a whole new generation.”--B.J. Novak, author of The New York Times bestseller The Book With No Pictures
Josh Funk (joshfunkbooks.com) lives in New England with his wife and children. He has never had a dragon as a pen pal, but he once wrote a letter to Corduroy (and sent along a spare button). He's the author of the picture books Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, Pirasaurs!, and more. Follow him on Twitter @joshfunkbooks.
 
Rodolfo Montalvo (rodolfomontalvo.com) grew up in Long Beach, California. He received a B.F.A. in illustration from California State University, Fullerton. He has illustrated children's books including The Contagious Colors of Mumpley Middle School and The Amazing Wilmer Dooley, both written by Fowler Dewitt. He currently lives with his wife in the Los Angeles area. Follow him on Twitter @RMontalvo3.

Dear Dragon | Read Aloud Flip-Along Book | Brightly Storytime<br/>

About

A sweet and clever friendship story in rhyme, about looking past physical differences to appreciate the person (or dragon) underneath.

George and Blaise are pen pals, and they write letters to each other about everything: their pets, birthdays, favorite sports, and science fair projects. There’s just one thing that the two friends don’t know: George is a human, while Blaise is a dragon! What will happen when these pen pals finally meet face-to-face?

"When I was a kid, my best friend was Josh Funk. Now he's becoming a friend to a whole new generation.”--B.J. Novak, author of The New York Times bestseller The Book With No Pictures

Author

Josh Funk (joshfunkbooks.com) lives in New England with his wife and children. He has never had a dragon as a pen pal, but he once wrote a letter to Corduroy (and sent along a spare button). He's the author of the picture books Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, Pirasaurs!, and more. Follow him on Twitter @joshfunkbooks.
 
Rodolfo Montalvo (rodolfomontalvo.com) grew up in Long Beach, California. He received a B.F.A. in illustration from California State University, Fullerton. He has illustrated children's books including The Contagious Colors of Mumpley Middle School and The Amazing Wilmer Dooley, both written by Fowler Dewitt. He currently lives with his wife in the Los Angeles area. Follow him on Twitter @RMontalvo3.

Media

Dear Dragon | Read Aloud Flip-Along Book | Brightly Storytime<br/>

Three Penguin Random House Authors Win Pulitzer Prizes

On Monday, May 5, three Penguin Random House authors were honored with a Pulitzer Prize. Established in 1917, the Pulitzer Prizes are the most prestigious awards in American letters. To date, PRH has 143 Pulitzer Prize winners, including William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Josh Steinbeck, Ron Chernow, Anne Applebaum, Colson Whitehead, and many more. Take a look at our 2025 Pulitzer Prize

Read more

Books for LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

In June we celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual + (LGBTQIA+) Pride Month, which honors the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. Pride Month is a time to both celebrate the accomplishments of those in the LGBTQ+ community and recognize the ongoing struggles faced by many across the world who wish to live

Read more