Dragon Wagon Book Bus

We are proud and delighted to carry this book on The Dragon Wagon Book Bus.

Author Vicki Johnson (pictured) came to writing late in life. When her debut picture book, Molly’s Tuxedo, came out last year, it was an important milestone in her career.

The story of a little girl who wants to wear a tuxedo for picture day at school was immediately praised for its depiction of a gender-nonconforming main character, landing it on ALA's Rainbow Project Book List.

Johnson toured at festivals and at bookstores, but she was particularly excited for the school year to roll around to go on her first school visit, which serendipitously was scheduled for National School Picture Day.

The timing couldn’t have been better, and Johnson’s local independent bookstore had even donated 240 copies of the book, one for each student.

Then, at the last minute, the visit was canceled. Johnson was told to pick up her books and was offered little explanation. But she could guess the reason: someone had taken issue with the LGBTQIA+ theme of her story.

“It was pretty devastating to have that happen,” Johnson says. “I was surprised how it hit me. I’ve been out for decades and been involved in the [LGBTQIA+] community and thought I’d experienced it all being a q***r person.”

From "Disinvited," SLJ's September cover piece.

https://www.slj.com/story/disivited-amid-censorship-schools-libraries-abruptly-cancel-author-visits

We'll be joining the fun in Oneonta on Sunday, September 8. Head to Neahwa Park for a day of music, antiques, art and kids' activities, and stop by the Dragon Wagon with your reader to get a free, brand-new book!

Why we do what we do!

When kids read at home, they're more likely to succeed in school. Send every student home with books for their home library with My Books Every Day: https://bit.ly/4cyLS95

Look who’s got some new teeth!

We just donated some fresh middle grade titles to the Delhi Rotary Little Free Library, and Tracey added two signed copies of The Epic Guide to Dragon Masters, out today! Get them while you can.

We’re set up at Andes Public Library until noon! Every kid who visits today gets a free book.

Look for our purple tents in the Andes Public Library parking lot today from 10-noon.

Can you help us get to 600 tomorrow? Come see us at the Andes Public Library from 10 to noon!

We can't be at Community Day this year, so we're setting up at Andes Public Library this Saturday, August 3, from 10-Noon. Every kid, from baby through teen, can select one free, brand-new book to take home!

A big THANK YOU to everyone who joined us at the Peekamoose yesterday for our Dragon Masters celebration, especially Marybeth and Devin and the Peekamoose staff (shout out to Bella and Maddie); drag story time artist extraordinaire Katrina Mirage; musical stylist Michael Lubben, and every Dragon Masters family who traveled to be there. Such a great day!

Come to read and stay for a feed! Our Dragon Wagon event will be on the outdoor grounds of the Peekamoose from 2-5. The restaurant opens for dinner at 5 so if you want to stay and eat, be sure to make a reservation. Peekamoose Restaurant & Tap Room

Saturday's event is going to be full of extras! At 4 pm Katarina Mirage will be leading a dragon story time and she'll stay afterwards to pose for photos. In addition, Tracey will be signing books, and as always, every kid gets to choose one brand-new book for free! Our books are for sale, too, so you can shop for birthdays and holidays for the kids in your life. Peekamoose Restaurant & Tap Room Katarina Mirage

There are so many fun things happening at our special event on Saturday. Will we see you there?

Our next event is a very special one! We'll be set up on the beautiful grounds of the Peekamoose Restaurant and Taproom in Big Indian, NY from 2-5 pm on Saturday, July 27. Author Tracey West (that's me!) will be signing books to celebrate 10 years of the New York Times Bestselling series, Dragon Masters. There will be free stickers and coloring pages, and a special drag story time with the wonderful Katarina Mirage. The restaurant opens at 5 so make a reservation if you want to stay for dinner.

It’s so beautiful at Hanford Mills Museum today and we have the nicest neighbors. The Dairy Appreciation Festival is happening until 4.

One of the most popular books on the bus is 🐶💁‍♂️

Did you miss us in Hamden? Come see us this Saturday at Hanford Mills Museum for their Dairy Appreciation Day. We'll be there from 10-4. Our bus may not be there but you can't miss our two purple tents.

If you visit the bus you will probably be asked “Do you want to read a book about funny potatoes?” because we are currently obsessed with Ben Clanton and his series. Be the first to say yes when we ask! Come see us at Hanford Mills Museum in East Meredith on 7/20 from 10-4.

We’ve been a bit too tense about our bus not being on the road so now we have two tents at our events! Had a terrific day at the Hamden Bicentennial Kickoff. So far this season we have given away 426 free books to kids and are on track to give away 1,000 by the end of the year.

Tomorrow in Hamden! Stop by and see us. Look for our two purple tents.

There are three chances to see us in July! In Hamden, East Meredith, and at the Peekamoose in Big Indian to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Author Tracey West's Dragon Masters series. Hope to see you!

This Saturday! We are so excited for this event. Come enjoy the wonderful vendors and delicious ice cream, and make sure to stop by with the kids so they can pick out one free, brand-new book! Or do some summer reading shopping--all of our books are for sale.

Hope to see you at one of our events this July!

We love bringing The Dragon Wagon to our local libraries!

Thanks to the William B Ogden Library in Walton and Heather and Martha for warmly welcoming us yesterday. We met so many wonderful families and excited readers.

Look for us inside! We are here with lots of brand-new books to choose from, plus free stickers and bookmarks.

Back in stock just in time for our event in Walton on Saturday. Look for them on the red shelf. William B. Ogden Free Library