The Wooden Dragon — Joan Aiken

Joan Aiken tells the story of Window and her sailor brother, Handle, who live in a small house in a wooded hollow. Each autumn, Handle must sweep the huge piles of leaves away. But one day, he breaks the news that he must go away on an extra long trip and leaves Window a little wooden dragon that will help look after her. And so the little dragon sits on a corner shelf, growing dusty, and waits for the time when he can come to Window's aid.