Ruth Stiles Gannett Kahn (born August 12, 1923) is the author of the My Father's Dragon series as well as other short children's novels. She wrote the first novel, My Father's Dragon

My Father's Dragon

My Father's Dragon is a children's novel by Ruth Stiles Gannett about a young boy, Elmer Elevator, who runs away to Wild Island to rescue a baby Dragon. Both a Newbery Honor Book and an ALA Notable Book, it is the first book of a trilogy whose other titles are Elmer and the Dragon and The Dragons...

after her graduating from Vassar College

Vassar College

Vassar College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, in the United States. The Vassar campus comprises over and more than 100 buildings, including four National Historic Landmarks, ranging in style from Collegiate Gothic to International,...

 in 1944, with a BA in Chemistry. After that book received Newbery Honor

Newbery Medal

The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...

, she wrote two more novels in that series, Elmer and The Dragon

Elmer and the Dragon

Elmer and the Dragon is the second in the My Father's Dragon trilogy of children's novels by Ruth Stiles Gannett. It is preceded by My Father's Dragon and followed by The Dragons of Blueland. In this book, Elmer Elevator and his recently liberated dragon friend travel home, but find themselves...

and The Dragons of Blueland

The Dragons of Blueland

The Dragons of Blueland is the third and final book in the My Father's Dragon series by Ruth Stiles Gannett. In this novel, the dragon returns to his homeland only to find that his family is in danger...

. This series of three books has proved so popular that they have remained in print continuously since their first publication. The books were illustrated by her stepmother, illustrator Ruth Chrisman Gannett.

Gannett also wrote Katie and the Sad Noise and Wonderful House-Boat-Train. She was married to the artist, art history professor and calligrapher

Calligraphy

Calligraphy is a type of visual art. It is often called the art of fancy lettering . A contemporary definition of calligraphic practice is "the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious and skillful manner"...

 Peter Kahn (deceased). The couple have seven daughters and eight grandchildren. She lives near Trumansburg, New York.

A deluxe edition of "My Father's Dragon" was released on October 28, 2008.

Books

• My Father's Dragon
  My Father's Dragon
  My Father's Dragon is a children's novel by Ruth Stiles Gannett about a young boy, Elmer Elevator, who runs away to Wild Island to rescue a baby Dragon. Both a Newbery Honor Book and an ALA Notable Book, it is the first book of a trilogy whose other titles are Elmer and the Dragon and The Dragons...
  
  - 1948- Knopf
• Elmer and The Dragon
  Elmer and the Dragon
  Elmer and the Dragon is the second in the My Father's Dragon trilogy of children's novels by Ruth Stiles Gannett. It is preceded by My Father's Dragon and followed by The Dragons of Blueland. In this book, Elmer Elevator and his recently liberated dragon friend travel home, but find themselves...
  
  - 1950- Knopf
• The Dragons of Blueland
  The Dragons of Blueland
  The Dragons of Blueland is the third and final book in the My Father's Dragon series by Ruth Stiles Gannett. In this novel, the dragon returns to his homeland only to find that his family is in danger...
  
  - 1951- Knopf