The Secret Rescuers: The Storm Dragon

Paula Harrison's The Storm Dragon is a gentle magical adventure for 7 year olds about a castle maid who hides a baby dragon.

What happens

Sophy is a maid at Greytowers Castle. She polishes crowns, sweeps floors and gets told off by the housekeeper for messy hair. Her parents died when she was little (that's mentioned right at the start, it isn't something that happens in the story).

She's always loved the old tales about unicorns and dragons. Then one windy afternoon, something purple crashes into the apple orchard.

It's a baby storm dragon called Cloudy, and he's hurt his wing. Thanks to a strange little stone Sophy found among the old king's things, she can understand every word he says.

That's a problem, because the queen's favourite knight hates magical creatures. Sir Fitzroy saw something fall from the sky, and he wants it found and locked up before sunset.

So Sophy has to keep Cloudy hidden. Up an apple tree, in a laundry basket, in her own bedroom. And Cloudy doesn't make it easy!

He's SO sweet. He cries when his wing hurts, eats the queen's chocolate cake and asks for more "macaroni sneeze". Whenever he gets upset, a little whirlwind starts up around him. Who wouldn't want to look after him?

There's lots of dashing about. Sophy climbs down the castle wall on the creeper, dodges the guards and even has to jump into the moat. The best bit is when the knight shouts at her and Cloudy decides to stand up for her. The queen's royal knickers end up flying round the banquet hall (children will love that).

Sophy is kind and brave but also a bit scared, which makes her very easy to root for. Tom the garden boy helps too, even though he isn't sure he believes her at first.

If your reader loves animals and a sprinkle of magic, this is a lovely one. The peril stays mild, and Sir Fitzroy is more shouty than scary.

What to read next

If this one goes down well, Kitty and the Moonlight Rescue is by the same author. Kitty's mum has secret cat-like powers and can talk to cats, and Kitty wishes she were brave enough to follow her out across the night-time rooftops.