The Dragon and the Doctor facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Barbara Danish |
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| Illustrator | Barbara Danish |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's picture book |
| Publisher | The Feminist Press |
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Publication date
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1971 |
| Pages | 21 (1st ed.) |
| ISBN | 0-912670-00-2 |
| OCLC | 21558041 |
The Dragon and the Doctor is a picture book from 1971. It was written and illustrated by Barbara Danish. The story is about a dragon with a sore tail who visits a doctor. This book was the very first one published by The Feminist Press. This publisher did not plan to make children's books at first. But many people showed interest after a newsletter said they would. So, the founder, Florence Howe, asked Barbara Danish to create a new story. It was based on a Chinese book called I Want to Be a Doctor. The new story featured a female doctor as the main character.
The Dragon and the Doctor sold 5,000 copies in its first year. In 1975, the story was read on an LP record of non-sexist children's stories. The book stopped being printed in 1979. A new, updated version came out in 1995. Over the years, the book has received mixed reviews for its story and pictures. However, it is important as an early book with characters from diverse families. The updated second edition includes a character with two mothers.
The Dragon's Adventure: What Happens in the Story?
A dragon has a sore tail and needs to see a doctor. He finds a doctor and her brother, Thomas, who is her nurse. The doctor and Thomas use an X-ray machine. They see several objects inside the dragon's tail. The doctor finds a zipper on his tail. She removes the items, and the dragon feels much better. The happy dragon then invites the doctor to a party. At the party, the dragon introduces the doctor to all his friends. The dragon explains that his grandmother accidentally put the zipper on his tail. She thought it was a dress she was making. His mother decided to keep it because "she thought it looked spiffy."
Updates in the Second Edition
The second edition of the story has some changes. The dragon is now female instead of male. The doctor is named Dr. Judy, and the nurse is named Benjamin. Dr. Judy and Benjamin are no longer siblings. The first part of the story is much like the original. Nurse Benjamin joins Dragon and Dr. Judy at the party.
When they arrive, the party is already happening. Dragon's friends meet the two new guests. While everyone is dancing, someone notices paint spilled on Dragon's friend, Lucy. Dr. Judy looks closer and realizes it is not paint. Lucy has chickenpox. Dragon carries Lucy and Dr. Judy to Lucy's home. Lucy's mothers give them all cookies. Everyone says goodbye and leaves.
How the Book Was Created and Published
Florence Howe was a writer and professor. She became interested in starting a publishing company. This company would focus on books about women's rights and equality. This idea for The Feminist Press came together in early 1970. By September, Florence Howe had almost given up on the project.
However, a newsletter in Baltimore, called Women's Liberation Newsletter, announced the new Press. When Florence Howe returned home, she found hundreds of letters. People were very interested in the project. The newsletter said the Press would publish biographies and children's books. Florence Howe had not planned to publish children's books. She invited everyone who wrote to her home on November 17, 1970. About 50 people came to this meeting.
Leah Heyn was at the meeting. She was the one who added "children's books" to the newsletter announcement. Leah was there because her seven-year-old daughter wanted a book with a female doctor. Florence Howe and the others did not know of any such books. The meeting ended with a decision. The new Press would work on a picture book first. A friend sent Florence Howe some Chinese children's books. One was called I Want to Be a Doctor. It was about a sister fixing her younger brother's rocking horse.
Florence Howe gave this book to Barbara Danish. Barbara was her former student and had been at the meeting. Florence told her that the Chinese would not mind if they copied their book. Barbara Danish changed the story in just 20 minutes. She made it about a dragon instead of a rocking horse. She also drew all the pictures. Barbara showed her drawings at the next meeting, and everyone loved them.
Barbara Danish and Laura Brown, another founder of The Feminist Press, found a printer. They chose Quickee Offset of Baltimore. The Dragon and the Doctor became the first book published by The Feminist Press. The first printing did not have an ISBN or a copyright symbol. The 21-page story was suggested for children from pre-kindergarten to second grade. It sold 5,000 copies in its first year. In 1975, the story was part of a non-sexist children's story LP record. It was called Hurray for Captain Jane! And Other Liberated Stories for Children. Actor Tammy Grimes read the story. The Dragon and the Doctor stopped being printed in 1979.
The book was published again in 1995 by The Feminist Press. Its pictures and text were updated. One important change was that Barbara Danish gave Lucy two mothers. This was in the part where Lucy is taken back to her home.
