Dragon Dancing

by: Carole Lexa Schaefer, illustrated by Pierr Morgan

Published by: Viking Children's Books

Reviewed by Janelle Martin

After their teacher reads them a book about dragons, Mei Lin’s classmates decide the perfect way to decorate for her birthday is by creating a birthday dragon. Everyone has something to add—from “boink-boink” eyes to “fa-foom!” a dragon-fire nose—until the sparkle-head dragon leads the children off on a magical dancing journey through Asian- looking landscapes—that is until their teacher calls them back for a snack.

Dragon Dancing, the newest collaboration between Carole Lexa Schaefer and Pierr Morgan, once again focuses on imaginative play. Schaefer uses language to create a feeling of motion and sound within the story, with these lines often printed in bold or in a wave reminiscent of a dragon’s tail. This is a story parents and children will enjoy reading together. Children will have sound effects to make with their feet “Then all of us—in a long dragon line—go stomp, bomp-tromping away…” and parents can have fun with volume and onomatopoeic words featured throughout.

Snip, twirl, flip.

“Look at me!” Mei Lin shouts.

“I’m Birthday Dragon!”

Morgan’s line drawings of the dragon capture the energy and excitement of a preschool class. Her art takes on a decided Asian influence to capture and differentiate the imagination sections of the book. The children in the classroom reflect a great diversity, ensuring all children should find someone to identify with in the pictures.

Armchair Interviews says: Dragon Dancing is a wonderful way to introduce children to Chinese culture and Chinese New Year.

Author’s web site: http://www.clSchaefer.com

Illustrator’s web site: http://www.PierrMorgan.com