Wings of Wonder
The CBC selects a theme to spotlight in each months’ Hot Off the Press list, helping parents, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and children’s book enthusiasts discover standout new titles from our member publishers.
Beneath every dragon’s wing lies the spark of a story—one that stirs the imagination and invites readers to dream beyond the ordinary. These dragon tales from our October Hot Off the Press list carry readers across realms where wonder, courage, and creativity intertwine—from enchanted lands to far-reaching skies and even distant worlds. Each story captures the enduring allure of dragons as symbols of bravery, transformation, and connection. Together, they reveal how the spirit of the dragon—timeless, powerful, and ever-evolving—continues to ignite curiosity, inspire adventure, and transport readers to extraordinary places.
The Bakery Dragon and the Fairy Cake, by Devin Elle Kurtz (Random House Children’s Books / Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers) — Fantasy, Friendships, Food / Cooking, Social Emotional Learning, ages 4-6.
Running a bakery is no cakewalk for a tiny dragon with a big sweet tooth! Tummy rumbles turn to belly laughs in this feel-good picture book from the bestselling author and illustrator of The Bakery Dragon.
Batter up!
Ember is in charge while the baker takes a trip and he’s excited to show what he can do! When an opinionated fairy princess swoops in demanding a cake, he eagerly agrees. So what if he’s only baked bread before? How hard can it be?
The sugar hits the fan when Ember’s first attempt is a complete disaster. He tries again and again, but the royal customer is not happy. Everyone told Ember he was such a good baker, so why can’t he get this right? If he doesn’t figure it out soon, the only thing on the menu will be humble pie.
Magic shimmers on every page of this whimsical story about how to bake a cake, make new friends and learn from your mistakes.
Dragon Flower, by Chen Jiang Hong; translated by Alyson Waters (New York Review Books / NYRB Kids) — Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, Action / Adventure, Family / Community, Fantasy, ages 4-6.
For months, Mae and her parents have been traveling across the country in search of a magic flower. Mae’s mother is ill, and this rare flower is the only thing that can save her, but it grows in a secret place, guarded by dragons. Mae vows to herself that she will find the flower and save her mother. One night, she wakes to a vision of light that beckons her to follow, but does she have the courage to face the dragons? A new book by the talented author and illustrator Chen Jiang Hong, Dragon Flower is a strikingly illustrated story of bravery, compassion, and kindness that young readers will want to turn to again and again. A wonderful companion piece to Chen Jiang Hong’s The Tiger Prince, also published by NYRB.
Kindred Dragons, by Sarah Mensinga (Abrams / Fanfare) — Fantasy, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, Coming of Age, Friendships, ages 7-12.
Anne of Green Gables meets How to Train Your Dragon in Kindred Dragons, a cozy and heartfelt middle-grade graphic novel about a brave young girl and the dragon whose life depends on her.
Alice has been unhappy ever since her parents sent her to Prince Edward Island to live with her strict grandmother. Alice is fanciful, prone to telling tall tales, and absolutely OBSESSED with dragons! Fairies deliver dragon eggs to a select few, known as Kindreds, but no egg has ever arrived for Alice.
While wandering the woods alone, she finds and secretly befriends a mysterious old dragon named Brim. Alice is excited to finally have a dragon friend of her own, but when Brim suddenly falls ill, Alice must set out on a desperate quest to save him.
As Alice searches for a cure, she discovers that her connection to dragons is unlike that of any Kindred—but will her new power be enough to save her friend?
Let your imagination take flight in this heartfelt story of friendship, family, and learning.
Rise of Neptune, by Scott Reintgen (Simon & Schuster / Aladdin) — Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Action / Adventure, Series, ages 7-12.
Lunar prepares his allies for an attack from Neptune in this sequel to the New York Times bestselling sci-fi and fantasy mash-up The Last Dragon on Mars, sure to delight fans of Skandar and Eragon!
Lunar Jones and the Dread Knights have brought hope to Mars. Between Dread’s power and a newly formed alliance with Earth, the once-dying planet is headed for prosperity at last. The only shadow is the one cast by Dav Robinson’s warning: Neptune is coming.
As predicted, Neptune’s ships arrive in Martian space—and they’re not interested in talking. The ships launch an immediate attack. Lunar was prepared for hostilities, but the way the attack happens is unexpected. Neptune’s dragons seem divided, and its ships, while countless in number, are almost too easy to defeat. It’s clear there’s more to Neptune’s story than meets the eye, and Lunar and his Dread Knights must figure out the mystery behind their looming foe quickly…before those secrets doom Mars for good.
For more great book suggestions, be sure to check out the full October Hot Off the Press list!
List compiled by CBC’s resident children’s book aficionado, Brooke Pisarsky. Check out other Hot Off the Press Spotlight booklists on our blog.
