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ofloveandlayovers's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lacestow7's review against another edition
3.0
This was a cute book about Amy Wu trying to make the perfect dragon to show the class! She takes inspiration from one her grandmother has, and makes it her own!
I enjoyed this book, and my daughter acted it out while I read!
I enjoyed this book, and my daughter acted it out while I read!
xsleepyshadows's review against another edition
3.0
Amy Wu draws her own dragon to share with the class, but it is not the same as everyone else's and she feels shy and unsure how to describe eastern style dragons (the class all draws/reads about western style dragons) she has some friends home and a relative helps them create a new dragon to share with the class the next day! Nice read about working together and introduction about different dragon types with activity in the back of the book.
ngreader's review against another edition
5.0
This was an adorable book that also seems like a great storytime possibility! I've yet to read the first Amy Wu book, but this was such a great story about melding together cultures - the folklore of the past and the present of yourself. It was super cute and I can't wait to use it for a dragon storytime!
aingealwroth's review against another edition
3.0
Cute and a fun picture read.
I do wish that Amy had stood up for her dragon choice a little more (especially when it seems her family wasn't totally lax in her education) or that the teacher had mentioned a possible option other than Eurocentric dragons.
I do wish that Amy had stood up for her dragon choice a little more (especially when it seems her family wasn't totally lax in her education) or that the teacher had mentioned a possible option other than Eurocentric dragons.
mnboyer's review against another edition
5.0
PopSugar 2023 reading challenge #5
At the beginning of this book, Amy’s class is listening to the teacher read a story about dragons. The kids are then asked to draw dragons as an activity after the story; Amy draws what one would call a ‘traditional Chinese dragon’ and the kids in her class question if it is a dragon or not. Amy actually goes home having not finished her dragon drawing. Her grandmother then tells her traditional Chinese stories about dragons (in which we see, through the illustrations, that Amy knows exactly what a dragon looks like). She makes a giant patchwork dragon and then brings it to the school to explain to the other students what Chinese dragons look like. Now, we have learned the difference between Eastern and Western dragons.
How to Use This Book: I would use this book exactly as the story does – talk to students about dragons, ask them to draw dragons, and then discuss the different kinds of dragons that exist. Ideally, there would be all kinds of different dragons. This could also be used as a general example of Chinese children’s literature.
Personal Response: The Amy Wu series is truly becoming one of my favorite examples of children’s picture books that represent diversity. It is true that there are some potential stereotypes in these stories (food, dragons/festivals, etc.) but they are discussed in a respectful way, an engaging way, and ask the reader to be part of the story and to invite them into the culture to learn more. The illustrations are perfect for kids – great colors, easy to follow, and did I mention Amy has a cat sidekick?
At the beginning of this book, Amy’s class is listening to the teacher read a story about dragons. The kids are then asked to draw dragons as an activity after the story; Amy draws what one would call a ‘traditional Chinese dragon’ and the kids in her class question if it is a dragon or not. Amy actually goes home having not finished her dragon drawing. Her grandmother then tells her traditional Chinese stories about dragons (in which we see, through the illustrations, that Amy knows exactly what a dragon looks like). She makes a giant patchwork dragon and then brings it to the school to explain to the other students what Chinese dragons look like. Now, we have learned the difference between Eastern and Western dragons.
How to Use This Book: I would use this book exactly as the story does – talk to students about dragons, ask them to draw dragons, and then discuss the different kinds of dragons that exist. Ideally, there would be all kinds of different dragons. This could also be used as a general example of Chinese children’s literature.
Personal Response: The Amy Wu series is truly becoming one of my favorite examples of children’s picture books that represent diversity. It is true that there are some potential stereotypes in these stories (food, dragons/festivals, etc.) but they are discussed in a respectful way, an engaging way, and ask the reader to be part of the story and to invite them into the culture to learn more. The illustrations are perfect for kids – great colors, easy to follow, and did I mention Amy has a cat sidekick?
allmadhere106's review against another edition
5.0
For: craft/dragon fans; readers looking for a book about family traditions, imagination, and celebrating identity.
Possible red flags: extravagant use of glitter; feeling left out/different.
Possible red flags: extravagant use of glitter; feeling left out/different.
heetlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
An adorable picture book that shows the welcome ideas from a different culture than others, and shows that you need to make things your own even when others tell you it doesn't look right.