The Dragon’s Pearl by Julie Lawson

Title: The Dragon’s Pearl Julie Lawson

Author: Julie Lawson

Illustrated: by Paul Morin

Publish Date: January 1995

Publisher: Stoddart Kids

Pages: 32pp

ISBN: 0773728821

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Folklore

Annotation: A traditional Chinese folk tale about a terrible drought in China and a boy, Xiao Sheng, finds a magic pearl that transforms him into a dragon. This dragon forever changes the lives of his mother and neighbors.

Plot Summary: Xiao Sheng was a boy who worked extremely hard in order to earn enough to feed his mother and himself. He gathered grass from sun up to sun down, everyday. He found solace in singing and always saw the good of things. One day Xiao finds a magic pearl, in which transforms him into a powerful Chinese dragon—a provider of the long-awaited rains.

Personal Response: A traditional Chinese folk-tale told with beautiful illustrations by Paul Morin, who brings the story to life with textured paintings—increasing the authenticity and matching the rich language of Julie Lawson. Additionally, the book includes an informative page about Chinese dragons, effectively celebrating the benevolent Chinese dragon.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Benevolence

Age Range: 4 to 12

Subjects: Pearls, Dragons, Folk Tales, Myths, Legends, China, Son and Mother, Rain, Tradition, Picture Book, Poverty, Magic, Transformation, Singing, Drought, Benevolence

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Day of the Dragon King by Mary Osborne

On Wings of Evil by Cora Taylor

Title: On Wings of Evil

Author: Cora Taylor

Publish Date: June 2005

Publisher: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, Limited

Pages: 250pp

ISBN: 1550419293

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Annotation: This sequel to On Wings of a Dragon continues the story of heroin Kour'el, the bird girl, and Api'Naga, her great dragon, who have returned to their homeland.

Plot Summary: In this sequel to On Wings of a Dragon, Kour’el is back at her homeland with her trusty dragon, Api’Naga. With them, they have brought back the new Queen Galea. As the Queen takes her throne, she faces a new evil in her land, thus requiring the help of Kour’el and Api’Naga. The evil Queen Mariah has come back in a new form with assassination attempts on Queen Galea. On top of that there seems to be a strange black and white bird that is the focal point for evil against the throne.

Personal Response: In order to fully understand this novel, the reader must read the first installment to the series, On Wings of a Dragon (2001). Taylor writes vivid descriptions and creates interesting events with adequate twists, although sometimes too predictable. With parallel plots, the reader must stay closely in-tune to not only follow the storyline but to fully appreciate what Taylor has created. This fairly tale/fantasy follows the traditional guidelines of good verses evil. Kour’el is an interesting character (and great inspiration) for girls as she went from maiden-in-distress to heroin!

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Good verses Evil.

Age Range: 9 and up

Subjects: Fantasy, Fantasy Heroin, Dragons, Good vs. Evil, Medievil, Historical, Adventure, Mystery, Magic

Series:

On Wings of Evil (2005)

On Wings of a Dragon (2001)

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