 Loading...  | Beat of the dragon boat Author: Matula, Christina | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival takes place on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, ushering in the start of summer. On the night before the Dragon Boat Festival, a young boy asks his grandfather how the dragon boat races first began. His grandfather tells him that legend has it that the races started in the ancient time of the Dragon King, when every lake and river had a guardian dragon.
| Illustrator: | Wong, Nicole |
Reviews:
School Library Journal (03/28/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Other - 03/10/2025 A Chinese grandfather enthralls his grandson in this lightly fantastical work about a traditional celebration. The night before the Dragon Festival, Yeye tells the story of how the annual event got started. According to legend, the guardian dragons in every lake and river once carried the sun’s warmth, the sea’s breezes, and the sky’s rain to help humankind. When the Dragon King befriended poet Qu Yuan, the writer incorporated the dragon’s words "into poems about raindrops and rivers, the stars and the moon," Matula notes. He also encouraged villagers to bang drums on launched boats by way of expressing resonant appreciation for the dragon’s guardianship. After the child dreams of dragons, the narrative picks up with a beat-by-beat accounting of the next day’s race, including the child’s small offering to "our dragon." Wong’s finely detailed illustrations gesture at deep intergenerational affection while combining the detailed wonders of the dragon story with the day-of thrill of the race. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Back matter includes an author’s note and recipe. Ages 6-7. (Apr.) - Copyright 2025
School Library Journal - 03/28/2025 K-Gr 3—A young child asks at bedtime, "Tell me again about the dragons, Yeye," and so begins this story. Grandfather tells the boy a bedtime tale that is equal parts family tradition and exhilarating adventure. The boy awakens the next day ready to begin the festivities of the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, from the preparation of delicious zongzi to helping with final touches on the boat. Matula beautifully links the rich cultural story to the excitement of the race itself, weaving details from the tale to the festival of the present. The story cascades as a river with the excitement at the start suddenly dropping to sadness as their boat falls to last place. Emotions swell again at the final whoosh of winning. Wong's vivid, detailed images brimming with emotion lend a notable tender feel to the story. Wong takes readers from dragons that flow across the page in all their power and glory, to the most tender image of a grandpa sharing moments with his grandson. Back matter includes more information about the Dragon Boat Festival, Dragon King, and Qu Yuan, as well as a recipe for red bean zongzi. VERDICT A vibrant, joyful ride from start to finish! Perfect for collections with patrons looking to dive into the Dragon Boat Festival tradition.—Cassie Veselovsky - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
