Jin Jin the Dragon
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Written by Grace Chang
48 pages |
About the Book
From the moment he hatches out of his golden, thousand-year-old egg, Jin Jin (who has yet to be named) has a problem: he doesn’t know what kind of creature he is and none of the animals he meets seems to know either. On the advice of his first friends—Fish, Eagle and Snake, Jin Jin sets out to find Old Turtle and Crane, who he has been told will help him. As he embarks on his journey to answer the pressing question of what he is, Jin Jin gets his name, meets many friendly animals, and learns to read. He also discovers that while he resembles many different animals—for example, he has the tail of a lion and the eues of a hare, he’s still not quite like any of them. Further adventures and revelations ensue, bringing Jin Jin’s journey to a happy end. Amidst wild celebrations, the contented Jin Jin can finally get some sleep, secure in knowing not only what he is, but also what he alone can do!
Beautifully illustrated in Chinese watercolor, Jin Jin the Dragon presents a world that is lush and exotic, while being familiar and welcoming.
Following the story, four additional pages provide an overview of Chinese characters and the Chinese dragon as well as a picture history of the 13 Chinese characters that are central to the story.
Awards and Reviews
“The writing is clear, at times lyrical, and nicely paced…Dragons and dragon lore are always popular subjects, and this title will be appreciated by children longing for more.” – School Library Journal
“Not all dragons are fierce and breathe fire, as author Grace Chang proves.... Chang draws on Chinese traditions as she details how Jin Jin asks different animals to help him figure out just what kind of animal he is. The illustrations by Chong Chang...add to Jin Jin’s appealing image.” - Pittsburgh Post Gazette
“The book has the feel of a traditional picture book while still being modern and accessible. Recommended for children to understand a different type of dragon and learn about another culture. This is perfect to use for Chinese New Year but should not be limited to that.” – kidslit.menashalibrary.org
“The beautiful watercolor illustrations and the story of self discovery will resonate with young readers.” – kidsbookshelf.com
“A gentle story grounded in ancient Chinese dragon myths, but presented in warm, contemporary terms and sure to be a hit with young dragon lovers everywhere.” – Children’s Bookwatch
"'One spring day, when the willow trees had turned green and the wind was softly blowing, a golden creature hatched, unnoticed, from a thousand-year-old egg.' As he begins to explore the world, he encounters numerous animals, all of whom see themselves in him, and they name him Jin Jin. He has scales like the fish, claws like the eagle, emerald eyes like the hare, etc. He is advised to find Old Turtle and Crane, who will be able to help him solve the mystery of his true identity. On his journey, he meets many more animals, and also begins to find clues in the form of Chinese characters that guide him on his way. Finally, Jin Jin discovers not only who he is, but also why he is special. The place of dragons in Chinese culture is explained in an author’s note, and there is additional information about Chinese characters. The writing is clear, at times lyrical, and nicely paced. The illustrations, done in Chinese watercolors, feature soft, peaceful greens that allow the golden Jin Jin, with his comical, expressive face, to take center stage. Dragons and dragon lore are always popular subjects, and this title will be appreciated by children longing for more." – SLJ, Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
