Earn Trading Cards & Battle Your Friends
Reading Dragons & Friends are collectible playable cards featuring mythical creatures like dragons, unicorns, griffins and more. It is a fun way to motivate kids and teens to build positive reading habits.
To receive a starter pack of cards and a Summer Reading Prize Tracker, join us at a Summer Reading Kick-Off Party between June 1-6 at your favorite Jacksonville Public Library location or talk to a librarian on your next visit (any time after June 1). Then, start reading!
You can earn additional sets of cards every week starting June 8 (through August 1). A different set is available each week and supplies are limited. So, visit the Library often.
How to Play
Starter Set Available Starting June 1
Everyone starts with four cards: one Earth (Green), one Water (Blue), and two Fire (Red). You can start playing right away. Optional: Pick up a Deck Box you can color and store your cards in.
Battle Your Friends in a Dragon Duel
- Shuffle your deck and then place the entire stack of cards face down, and do not look at them.
- Both players draw the top card on their deck, keeping it hidden.
- Count to three and then flip your cards over at the same time to see who wins.
Gameplay is similar to Rock Paper Scissors:
- Fire (Red) beats Earth (Green)
- Earth (Green) beats Water (Blue)
- Water (Blue) beats Fire (Red)
- If you have the same color you tie
- If you tie, the oldest creature wins
Collecting & Trading Cards
Track Your Reading to Earn More Cards
Getting new cards is simple. Read for least 20 minutes every day this summer and log your progress on a Summer Reading Prize Tracker. Then, show your tracker to a librarian to get that week's featured card set. Read every day this summer to complete up to three trackers. You can earn:
- Up to three more prize books* for your home library
- Up to eight additional Reading Dragons card sets (32 cards)
For more about the Summer Reading Challenge, visit our blog.
Tips for Collecting Every Card
- Starter Packs are available to new players starting June 1
- Stop by the Library at least once a week starting June 8 -13 for new cards
- New cards are "unearthed" on Monday each week and are available while supplies last
- The final set of Reading Dragons cards will be out July 27 - Aug 1
You may also be able to earn special cards by participating in other activities, like visiting a Bookmobile stop. Many locations will also host Scavenger Hunts or give out Bingo Cards. Prizes and incentives for these activities will vary by location. Please ask your neighborhood librarian for more details.
Rules for Trading Cards
Cards may also be traded with other players, but you MUST trade only WHOLE FAMILIES at a time. If you want to trade a card, you must trade the adult, child, baby and egg. A card "family" is made up of four cards with the same mythical creature. The four cards in the Starter Set are all "adult" versions of different mythical creatures.
Please note: The library will not replace cards that have been given away by trading, lost or damaged. Make sure you mark which cards are yours and which are not after making a trade.
About Reading Dragons & Friends
The program was developed at Dover Public Library by Librarians Liz Strauss and Mallory Thompson. It has grown from the collaborative efforts of creative librarians from all over. This program levels the playing field for readers of any ability by rewarding them for the time they spend reading.
Adult readers are encouraged to join Jax Stacks, our year-round reading challenge for adults.
