Gruffen, by Chris d'Lacey

An early chapter book, just beyond the level of a reader.  Shallow story, with inexplicable magic clay molded and kilned to create magic dragon helpers.  I certainly hope that d'Lacey's other series, the Last Dragon Chronicles, written for older readers, is more substantial than this.

This book may appeal to girls who have completed the even-shallower  Rainbow Magic Fairy series.  The first in a series.