Here There Be Dragons!
Mages & Mapmakers - April 2026
Welcome, Fellow Dragon Enthusiasts!
April always feels like the world is waking up from a long nap… but if you look closely, it’s less of a gentle stretch and more of a slow, rumbling stirring.
The ground softens. The air shifts. Things begin to wake up.
Which, if you ask me, is perfect dragon season! Sidenote—this April has been a bit of an indecisive one… almost like a cranky dragon that can’t decide if it wants to wake up or go back to sleep. Honestly, same.
Anyway, this month we’re diving into tales of dragons—not just the fire-breathing, castle-toppling kind (though we love those), but the hidden ones too. The quiet guardians. The reluctant allies. The ones curled up beneath hills, inside stories, or tucked between the pages of a very suspicious-looking book.
So sharpen your swords (or your pencils), pack a snack, and let’s go see what’s waking up this spring.
✒️ Behind the Quill ✒️
I have been working on conquering a lot of metaphorical dragons this month.
First, I’m finally making some headway on my revision of Powerless — Book 3 in my Misadventures of Mariah Miller series. I forgot how much I loved following Mariah into the northern kingdom of Skjeilund for a brand new adventure!
Second, I just completed my first ever Book Fair, where I brought my books to a giant book and craft market! I’m still digesting the experience, but I got to meet some very talented authors and artisans and connect with new readers! I’ll probably do another post about the fair in the future once I’ve had time to reflect a little more.
Now it’s back to work on Powerless!
🧭 Adventurer’s Guild 🧭
This month’s Adventurer’s Guild challenge is to create your very own dragon egg. All you need is:
A styrofoam egg (or more than one)
Thumb tacks
Nail polish or other paint
Download the printable craft below, or hop on over to The Adventurer’s Guild for further instructions!
📚 Bookshelf of Wonders 📚
There are so many wonderful dragons out there! Or at least so many dragons I love to read about, even if I don’t want to meet them. Wise and kind dragons like Falkor, fierce and greedy dragons like Smaug, and elegant protectors like Haku, how can I choose? But just for you, I gave it a try. Here are a few wonderful dragon reads!
The Dragon Warrior by Katie Zhao – A girl discovers she might be the hero of a legendary prophecy. Epic adventure, Chinese mythology, and family bonds make this one stand out.
The Dragon Keeper by Diane Martin – Two siblings, a dragon, and their dog on a quest for survival and belonging. A fast-paced adventure with a lot of heart! It’s the second in a fantastic series, but you can dive right in with this one if you want!
The Last Dragon on Mars by Scott Reintgen – Dragons… in space. Enough said. (But also: friendship, survival, and big stakes.)
YA PICK: Talon by Julie Kagawa – Secret dragons living among humans, divided loyalties, and a dangerous hidden world. A quintessetially YA series with a fierce female protagonist, secret organizations, and of course a love triangle between teenage hatchling Ember, dragon-slayer Garrett, and rogue dragon Riley.
Bonus Pick for Adults
His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik — The Napoleonic wars with dragons. Aerial battles, historical intrigue, and one of the best dragon-human friendships out there.
Dragon Books on My TBR
Dragonborn by Struan Murray (Middle Grade)
Breath of the Dragon by Shannon Lee and Fonda Lee (YA)
Dragonfall by L.R. Lam (Adult)
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (Adult - I feel like it’s a cultural phenomenon I must read)
What are your favorite dragon books? Comment below!
✨ Real-Life Magic ✨
As you know, I love to travel (both in real life and in books), and I’ve been a few places that have a dragon theme.
But the most unexpected dragon I’ve ever seen was in Ljubljana.
That’s right, the capital city of Slovenia!
Ljubljana is a gorgeous, walkable city, and honestly I wish I’d had more time and brain cells on my brief visit there (it was a quick stop on our journey from Slovakia to Croatia—little sleep + very hot = unhappy Minnesotans).
But surprisingly, Ljubljana is FULL of dragons! Dragon statues everywhere! The famous dragon bridge (above), dragon motifs at the castle, even a dragon mascot!
Why? Well, according to legend, Jason (he of golden fleece fame) made a pit stop in Ljubljana on his way home from retrieving said fleece, and ended up slaying a dragon! Over time, the dragon of legend evolved into a sort of guardian for the city, and here we are!
You can find all kinds of dragons in the most unlikely places!
Farewell For Now
Wherever you find dragons this month—on bridges, in books, or in your own imagination—I hope they lead you somewhere unexpected.
📣 Your Quest:
Do you have a favorite literary dragon? Or maybe a different type of magical creature? Comment below!
Until next time,
💌 KJ
Tamer of dragons
Sources
"Ljubljana, City of Dragons." Visit Ljubljana. City of Ljubljana, Accessed April 20, 2026. https://www.visitljubljana.com/en/visitors/sights-and-activities/ljubljana-city-of-dragons/.
Hello I love dragons I love this post I love dragons xD I'm slowly picking through Robin Hobb's "The Dragon Keeper" and the other books in that series. Have been looking for hard copies of Naomi Novik's series AAAAHHHH!!
I love Naomi Novik and His Majesty’s Dragon was wonderful. I loved the whole series!
It's always fun to see where our taste in fiction intersects. You also give me books to put on my TBR.