A not-quite-grown dragon
Dragamore can stomp his feet and bang his tail, but his persnickety nostrils whistle WHEEEOOO instead of breathing fire.
The Persnickety Nostrils of Dragamore Dragon
A snowy picture-book adventure about big feelings, brave breathing, friendship, and finding the spark that was there all along.
The Story
A dragon who wants to grow up, but first has to learn how to breathe.
Dragamore is nearly grownup, but every time he tries to breathe fire, his persnickety nostrils whistle WHEEEOOO and sputter clouds of steam.
Without his fire, he cannot go to Dragon Fire-Breathing School or do the fun, grownup things his brother can do. With help from his friends, Dragamore learns the empowering energy and joys of cooperation and perseverance.
Launch Day Interview
Hear Debra share the heart behind Dragamore.
In this book launch conversation, Debra Grantz Wolf talks about the story, the children it was written for, and the peaceful choices that shaped Dragamore's journey from nervous steam to brave sparks.
What Children Meet Inside
Feelings, friendship, and a practical kind of courage.
Big feelings in the forest
When Dragamore gets scared, his nostrils puff clouds of steam. A lost puppy named Basset helps him learn a calmer way to breathe.
The first fiery breath
A deep breath, a brave moment, and a little spark light the way to Penguin Pond and help Dragamore find his confidence.
For Home or Classroom
Bring Dragamore's snowy adventure to the shelf.
A gentle story for families, classrooms, and libraries where courage,
friendship, and calmer breathing can stay close at hand.
Find the book
Peek Inside
A world of snowy woods, friends, and brave sparks.
Near Dragon Fire-Breathing School
Dragamore and Dragster
Dragster can do grownup dragon things. Dragamore wants to join him, but his nostrils whistle and steam instead of breathing fire.
The red treehouse
The Treehouse
Zack and Kimi are friends, but their treehouse is just out of reach. Dragamore cannot climb up with his short dragon arms, and another big feeling begins.
The snowy woods
Basset in the Woods
Basset is lost and needs help. Caring for him gives Dragamore a reason to move through fear and practice calming himself.
A tense forest moment
A Brave Breath
This is where fear becomes action. Dragamore's breath finally changes from steam and whistles into the fire he has been hoping for.
Activities and Extensions
Keep the story moving after the last page.
Coloring pages and bookmark crafts give families, classrooms, libraries, and young readers another way to revisit Dragamore's world.
Stay Connected
Stay close to Debra's art, writing, and Dragamore resources.
Join Debra's email list for occasional reflections on finding peace, updates from her art studio, and family-friendly Dragamore crafts and downloads.
From Classrooms to Story Pages
Dragamore carries Debra's long-running hope that children can name their feelings, find their breath, and make kind choices with a little help from the people around them.
Behind the Book
More than a snowy adventure, Dragamore is part of Debra's larger work with children, art, and peace.
Debra Grantz Wolf is an artist, author, and educator in Dublin, Ohio. Her watercolors, acrylic paintings, poems, and children's stories all return to a similar place: the small brave moment when feeling becomes movement, color, choice, or voice.
The Persnickety Nostrils of Dragamore Dragon grows from that same center. It is funny and gentle on the surface, but underneath is a clear invitation for children to practice cooperation, perseverance, and a calmer way through fear.
Peace-Abilities
Debra's background in communication and counseling shaped a conflict-resolution program that helped students practice kindness, cooperation, and peaceful choices.
A traveling puppet
Before the picture book, Dragamore met children as a puppet who made big feelings visible, manageable, and safe to talk about.
Family traditions
The story lives near family, too, from classroom visits to the rainbow cookies Debra still bakes from a recipe passed down by her mother.
A Family Companion
Rainbow cookies, classroom courage, and the memories around a book.
Debra's story world also includes the ordinary rituals children remember: making something together, sharing it, and carrying the feeling of home into the next adventure.
Continue through Debra's world.
Visit the gallery for her fine art, read the artist statement for her thoughts on color and movement, or return home for the broader author-and-artist story.
Fine Art
Visit the Gallery
Browse Debra's paintings and available print links.
Open gallery
Color and Movement
Artist Statement
Read how Debra thinks about watercolor, acrylics, and peace.
Read statement
Author and Educator
About Debra
Return to her broader author, artist, and family story.
Meet Debra