Everyone knows what a Dragon Looks Like

Two nine-year-old girls were enthralled by this picture book and recognised the balance between the subtle humour and the serious element it holds. When the mandarin and his councillors need a dragon to help them fight off the wild men of the North each one realises that he does not know what a dragon looks like; but each is certain he will be the one to recognise one when it arrives. They all refuse to accept the claim of the little fat visitor that he is the much-needed dragon and it is only when orphan Han gives the man food that he reveals his true dragon identity and the city is saved. The story carries a moral which some children may need the help of an adult to find; but the beautiful 'Chinese' illustrations are exciting and the language alone paints delightful pictures. 'I hope your honourable stomach is happy, sir', are the words with which Han greets the little fat man. Large size, good paper and rich illustrations push the price up frighteningly for a paperback. But there's a lot of mileage in this book for Junior and Lower Middle children. You could be getting value for money.