Monday, March 28, 2011

Water-breathing dragon

Grace Chang (author)
Chong Chang (illustrator)
Jin Jin the Dragon
Enchanted Lion, 2007

Born of a 1000-year old egg, a young hatchling asks nearby animals who he is. They recognize parts of themselves in the creature whose golden color inspires them to dub him Jin Jin, but they cannot answer his question. Thus, Jin Jin begins a quest to learn his identity. Along the way, he encounters more friendly animals and deciphers clues in the form of early Chinese script. At tale's end, Jin Jin saves a village from drought and in the process realizes that he is a water-breathing dragon. Readers learn a little Chinese and the true, beneficent nature of Chinese long 龍, or dragons.

No comments:

Post a Comment