Puff, the Magic Dragon

The timeless children's song . . . in a beautiful, bestselling picture book filled with enchantment. 

Puff, the Magic Dragon is simply one of the most beloved songs of all time—a classic that’s become as much a part of the childhood experience as Mother Goose and fairy tales. Yet singer/songwriter Peter Yarrow and co-composer Lenny Lipton have never allowed a picture book adaptation of this magical tale…until now. With Yarrow’s and Lipton’s blessing, Puff, Jackie Paper, and the land of Honalee finally live on the page.

In richly-hued paintings of the deepest sea blues and greens, Puff and his friend Jackie Paper frolic in the land of Honalee—traveling in a fantastic boat with billowed sails, climbing red castle stairs onto a balcony to meet with noble kings and princes, and watching pirate ships lower their flags for the roaring dragon. Artist Eric Puybaret has brought an entire magical world into being with enthralling landscapes, color, and characters. And everyone will love the way the art cleverly turns the song’s end, which at first seemed so sad, into a surprising and joyful moment.

In 1959, Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton co-created the timeless and beloved song "Puff, the Magic Dragon." Peter Yarrow’s career has spanned more than four decades. As a member of the renowned trio, Peter, Paul, & Mary, he has earned many gold and platinum awards and numerous Grammys, as well as an Emmy nomination for his animated TV specials based on "Puff, the Magic Dragon." Among the many honors bestowed upon him, Yarrow is most proud of the Allard K. Lowenstein Award, which he received in 1982 for advancing the causes of human rights, peace, and freedom. Today, he frequently uses his musical and other artistic gifts to convey a message of humanity and caring. In an effort to combat school violence, Yarrow started Operation Respect in 2000, a program that teaches tolerance and respect to children in schools and camps. Lenny Lipton is the inventor of the modern 3D projection system used in cinemas worldwide. He is the author of four books on motion picture technology and received an award from the Smithsonian for his invention.

Eric Puybaret was born in France, and graduated from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Puff, the Magic Dragon was his first American book, and he also illustrated Sterling's The Nutcracker, written by John Cech.