Author Profile
Julie Gassman
18 Books
Julie Gassman is an author of engaging and humorous children's picture books. She is best known for her popular Do Not Take Your Dragon series, which helps young readers navigate rules and social situations through fun and imaginative stories. In addition to her dragon-themed books, Gassman has written numerous other titles designed to entertain and educate early readers.
A field trip to the fire station already has plenty of excitement: a bus ride, big trucks, shiny equipment, and important rules to follow. Add one dragon, and things can heat up very quickly.
In this funny rhyming picture book, you will see why bringing a dragon along on a class trip might sound fun but can lead to plenty of smoky, silly trouble. Between fire hoses, safety lessons, and dragon-sized curiosity, every stop on the trip becomes a chance to learn what good behavior looks like.
Playful and energetic, this story is a cheerful read-aloud for kids who enjoy dragons, school adventures, and gentle lessons about listening, safety, and field-trip manners.
6-8 Years
33 Pages
Alicia has a brilliant plan to help her pen pal raise money for new cheerleading uniforms. She organizes a massive volleyball tournament and cannot wait to get out on the court and play. There is just one problem standing in her way. No matter how hard she tries, Alicia cannot seem to master her serve. You will join her as she struggles to get the ball over the net while trying to lead her team to victory. It takes a lot of practice and patience to learn a new skill, especially when the pressure is on. This engaging sports story shows that even the most enthusiastic players need to put in the hard work to succeed. You will be cheering for Alicia as she figures out that determination is just as important as natural talent.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
30 Pages
Eleanore has a tough time letting anyone else play with her things. When friends come over, she wants to keep all her favorite toys exactly where they are, safe in her own hands. You will recognize the familiar struggle of learning how to take turns and give others a chance to join in the fun. Sometimes it feels impossible to let go of a prized possession, even for just a few minutes. This gentle and honest story looks at how tricky it can be to share your favorite things with the people around you. It helps young readers understand that letting someone else play alongside you actually makes the entire day much more enjoyable. You will see Eleanore discover that shared laughs are the best part of any game.
6-8 Years
Alicia knows exactly how athletic you have to be to cheer. Her brother Danny and his friends constantly claim that cheerleaders do not belong at the Victory School because they think cheerleading is not a real athletic competition. Alicia is absolutely determined to change their minds. You will step into the gym with Alicia as she showcases her incredible jumping ability and works hard to prove the boys wrong. It takes serious stamina, intense practice, and undeniable strength to pull off the routines her squad performs. This inspiring story tackles the common stereotypes surrounding the sport and highlights the immense dedication required to be a cheerleader. You will be inspired by Alicia as she stands up for her entire team and demonstrates that true athletes come in all forms and disciplines.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
57 Pages
Alicia can jump like a superstar, but swinging a softball bat feels like a whole different game. When her gym class starts a softball unit, she is sure she already knows how it will go: missed pitches, awkward turns at bat, and everyone watching.
Instead of giving softball a real try, Alicia looks for ways to avoid it. But staying “on strike” may not be as easy as it sounds, especially when practice, courage, and a little persistence might change the way she sees herself.
This lively early chapter book is a relatable school sports story about trying something hard, handling embarrassment, and discovering that being good at one thing does not mean you cannot grow in another.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
57 Pages
Roger is crabby about almost everything: food he does not get, trips that do not happen, and shows he misses on TV. When his grumpy moods land him in the naughty chair, he decides he needs a plan to stop being such a “crabby pants.”
His solution may seem perfect to him, but his family is not so sure. As Roger tries to figure out what to do with all those cranky feelings, young readers get a funny, familiar look at frustration, disappointment, and growing up.
Lighthearted and easy to relate to, this picture book helps children recognize big moods without feeling judged. It is a playful choice for conversations about emotions, self-control, and family life.
6-8 Years
16 Pages
Ruth’s pink pajamas are soft, cozy, and just right in every way. She loves them so much that she wants to wear them to school, even when her mom says it is not a good idea.
At first, Ruth is sure she knows best. But a school day in pajamas does not feel quite the way she expected, and her favorite outfit may bring more trouble than comfort.
This humorous picture book turns a small everyday disagreement into a warm story about choices, listening, and learning from experience. Young readers will recognize Ruth’s stubborn wish to do things her own way, while grown-ups will appreciate the gentle lesson about family guidance and responsibility.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Slides, swings, and playground games sound perfect for a dragon with energy to spare. But when a dragon wants to join recess, ordinary playground rules suddenly become much harder to follow.
This playful rhyming picture book shows how one enthusiastic dragon can turn break time into a hilarious challenge. There are places to wait, turns to take, friends to respect, and plenty of chances for a dragon to forget just how big, fiery, and excited she is.
With bright humor and a lively school setting, the story introduces playground manners in a way young readers can enjoy. It is a fun read-aloud for children learning about sharing space, playing safely, and being a good friend at recess.
6-8 Years
33 Pages
Melvin does not like hearing no. He does not like missing out. And when he does not get exactly what he wants, a fit can arrive fast.
At school, Melvin learns a simple classroom rule: you get what you get and you do not throw a fit. But using that rule outside the classroom is much harder, especially when disappointment shows up at home.
Funny, direct, and easy for young children to understand, this picture book gives readers a familiar story about frustration and self-control. It is a helpful choice for kids who are learning that disappointment is part of life and that feelings can be handled without a meltdown.
6-8 Years
33 Pages
The last day of school is made for celebration: parties, picnics, games, and one final burst of classroom fun. A dragon would love all of it, of course. But bringing a dragon to school on such a busy day might not be the wisest idea.
In this lively rhyming picture book, a teacher imagines all the dragon-sized problems that could pop up when excitement runs high. Playground fun, party treats, and school rules become much more complicated when wings, claws, and fiery enthusiasm enter the room.
Full of read-aloud energy, this school story mixes fantasy humor with gentle reminders about manners, safety, and thinking ahead. It is a cheerful pick for end-of-year classrooms and dragon-loving readers.
6-8 Years
33 Pages
Lucille is tired of watching her little sister Margaret get attention. Margaret is younger, Margaret is noticed, and Margaret seems to take up more space than Lucille thinks is fair.
When Grandma comes to visit, Lucille’s jealous feelings become harder to hide. She has to face a big emotion that many children know well: wanting to be loved and noticed, even when someone else needs care too.
This gentle picture book tells a simple, relatable sibling story with warmth and humor. Young readers will recognize Lucille’s frustration, while the story offers a calm way to talk about jealousy, family attention, and learning how to handle feelings without hurting the people you love.
6-8 Years
33 Pages
Your dragon loves making people happy. She wants to hug, high-five, sing, blow bubbles, and share joy everywhere she goes. The trouble is that germs can travel right along with all that dragon-sized friendliness.
In this rhyming picture book, young readers learn why healthy habits matter at school and beyond. Washing hands, keeping distance when needed, and being careful around others become part of helping a dragon spread kindness instead of germs.
Bright, funny, and easy to read aloud, this story gives children a friendly way to talk about hygiene, illness prevention, and caring for a community. It keeps the lesson light while making everyday health routines feel clear and important.
6-8 Years
33 Pages
Grandma’s house is full of wonderful things to do: baking, biking, games, crafts, and time together. No wonder your dragon wants to come along. But a visit with Grandma may not be simple when your guest has wings, claws, and a talent for turning ordinary fun into chaos.
This rhyming picture book brings the familiar Do Not Take Your Dragon humor into a warm family setting. Each activity sounds delightful, but each one also raises a dragon-sized question about manners, space, and what Grandma can handle.
Funny, affectionate, and made for reading aloud, the story celebrates grandparent visits while keeping the laughs lively. It is a playful pick for readers who enjoy family stories, fantasy silliness, and picture books with audience participation.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Alicia has a plan: learn figure skating so she can start a hockey cheer squad for her friend Danny. But on a school trip to Triumph Mountain, being away from home begins to feel harder than learning new moves on the ice.
Homesickness makes everything colder. Alicia would rather stay in bed than lace up her skates, even though she still wants to reach her goal. With friendship and encouragement around her, she has to decide whether she can face the rink and try again.
This early chapter book blends a sports story with a realistic look at being away from home. It is a supportive choice for readers who enjoy school trips, friendship, ice skating, and characters working through nervous feelings one step at a time.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
30 Pages
Recess is the best part of the school day, but what happens when you bring a giant, fire-breathing creature to the playground? Dragons love to have fun just as much as you do. They love zooming down slides and soaring on swings! But a dragon's massive wings, heavy tail, and fiery breath can make playing safely a little complicated. Can a playful dragon actually learn how to follow the rules and use proper playground manners? With a little bit of patience and a lot of help from her best friend, this dragon is going to try! Get ready for a hilarious, rhyming adventure that shows why sharing and taking turns are so important. Filled with colorful characters and funny playground disasters, this wonderful picture book proves that anyone can learn great recess etiquette, even a giant dragon!
6-8 Years
36 Pages
You already know that taking a dragon to the library is a terrible idea, but what about taking him out to a fancy restaurant? After all, giant dragons get incredibly hungry and need to eat dinner, too! But dining out with a massive mythical beast is never simple. Between the accidental fiery breath, the loudly flapping wings, and those sharp, pointy spikes knocking over water glasses, a quiet family meal can quickly turn into a total disaster! Will your dragon ever learn how to sit still and chew with his mouth closed? This laugh-out-loud, rhyming story takes dinner manners to a whole new, hilarious level. Packed with funny illustrations and wild restaurant situations, this colorful picture book is the perfect way to learn about table manners while enjoying a fiery, unforgettable meal!
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Tyler thinks he is unstoppable on the basketball court. Ever since discovering his perfect aim, he has stopped passing the ball to his teammates entirely. As the star player, he assumes his strategy will lead the team to victory. But other teams quickly figure out how to block his shots, and his friends are losing their patience. You are about to hit the court with Tyler and see what happens when the team stops having fun. This fast-paced story explores the real meaning of being a team player. You will see why having a super skill does not mean much if you leave your friends behind. The action and sports drama make this a perfect read for anyone who loves the game and wants to see what it takes to be a true champion.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
57 Pages
A library is a place for quiet voices, careful hands, and wonderful books. A dragon, however, is not always quiet, careful, or small enough to fit between the shelves.
In this cheerful rhyming picture book, one child discovers why bringing a dragon to the library can lead to smoky, noisy, book-filled trouble. The dragon may mean well, but library manners take practice, especially when excitement gets bigger than the room.
Funny and easy to share aloud, this story introduces young readers to library etiquette without feeling like a lecture. With fantasy silliness, a diverse group of children, and plenty of comic mishaps, it is a lively choice for classrooms, storytime, and kids who love books and dragons.
6-8 Years
33 Pages
