The Dragon Slayers: Essential Training Guide for Young Dragon Fighters

"This compendium of biblical based, life-changing messages are presented as fun and imaginative allegories. As they follow Sir Wyvern on his journey, children will not only learn about the Christian Heroes of old but also gain the tools to face their own dragons in everyday life. Impressively illustrated throughout, Dragon Slayers is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, Christian School, and Sunday School collections for Christian youth ages 9-13." – MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

Equip Your Child to Conquer Life's Challenges with Courage and Faith! 

Young people face challenges every day―-anxiety, fear, self-doubt, anger, apathy, gossip, shame. These “dragons” threaten to bring kids down or hold them back. This creative yet intentional, power-packed book trains kids to become Dragon Slayers who recognize and ward off threats with faith and courage. Readers will be empowered to put on the Spiritual Armor, follow teachings of the Ancient Manual (the Bible), and rely on Jesus, the Chief Dragon Slayer. Powerful prayers and encouragement to consult Senior Dragon Slayers of Old (or Christian heroes) throughout history allows 8- to 12-year-olds to grow in their faith, ask for help, and identify harmful threats to their emotional, spiritual and mental well-being. Dragon Slayers will instigate conversation while preparing your kids for every obstacle life might throw at them! 

In a large 8 x 10 lay flat format with bold, vibrant illustrations, Dragon Slayers features:  

• Foundational Biblical Knowledge: Unpacks powerful Bible teachings on the Trinity, the Armor of God, prayer, and more. 
• Faith-Filled Adventure: Empowers kids with the timeless message of hope, courage, and divine rescue found in the Bible. 
• Inspiring Profiles: Introduces 26 Christian heroes such as the Apostle Paul, St. Francis of Assisi, Sojourner Truth, and Martin Luther King, Jr.  
• Encouragement: Offers guidance and sparks conversation on turning struggles into moments of victory and self-acceptance. 
• An Imaginative, Practical Application of Biblical Truths: Helps to imprint the Word into young hearts, making Bible verses real and alive.  

Ideal for ages 8 to 12, Dragon Slayers will appeal to kids who love epic stories of good and evil, bravery and peril, dragons, knights, and shining armor. The wisdom readers encounter in this book will deepen their self-knowledge, spark their love of truth and goodness, and give them essential tools for the grand adventure of Christian life.  

Watch the book trailer HERE: 

Dragon Slayers for Educators 

Packed with Scripture, theology, historical connections, and conversation starters for rich discussion, this book will help young people navigate their social and emotional lives. Dragon Slayers is an ideal addition to your curriculum for Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, Christian elementary and middle school, and homeschool. Download FREE supplemental materials including an Educator’s Guide, Activity Kit, Historical Timeline, and more at dragonslayersbook.com. 

Enjoy this short interview with CHRI Radio!

Hear Joyce Denham share about the book! 

Joyce Denham is the author of many internationally-published books for children and adults on Celtic Christianity, prayer, and the lives of the saints. A literature teacher by training and profession, she pursues her lifelong passion for Biblical Literature, lecturing in churches and other venues. Through unfolding the Bible’s ancient stories, histories, and poems, she invites listeners into an astonishing world of human and divine drama. Most Sunday mornings, you’ll find her at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Edina, MN, where she teaches Compass, her Adult Formation class on the Jewish and Christian Scriptures.

Her new book Dragon Slayers: The Essential Training Guide for Young Dragon Fighters, Based Wholly on the Practices of the Great Dragon Slayers of Old and the Wisdom of their Ancient Manual (coming May 6, 2025, by Paraclete Press) introduces kids to Christian faith through an imaginative world of dragons and Dragon Slayers, told by a fictitious (and cranky!) narrator, Sir Wyvern Pugilist. Under Sir Wyvern’s tutelage, children learn to courageously face the fears, temptations, and inevitable obstacles that confront them in this Land of Dragons. Through Pugilist’s urgent voice (both serious and humorous), we hear Joyce Denham’s own concern for today’s children and the problems with which they wrestle. In short, while creating fun, she takes kids seriously.

Joyce lives with her husband, Pete, in Minneapolis, MN, dividing her time between lecturing, writing, leading spiritual retreats, and planning pilgrimage tours to monastic sites in England and Scotland.

Kristina Kister is an illustrator and character designer from Essen, Germany. She is a freelance illustrator with a focus on middle grade novels and all kinds of whimsical stories. She has a soft spot for fiction and nonfiction books involving mythical creatures, the mysteries of the universe and everything magical and mysterious. Having a background as a graphic designer, her style is characteristic for geometric shapes and bright color palettes.