Customer Reviews

The Dancing Dragon

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read this book to my daughter's nursery school class (of 2 - 6 year olds) for the last two Chinese New Year's. It is an accordian style book so you need to practice holding/reading it but quite worthwhile. The children were all interested in watching the dragon unfold and there is a good rhythm to the words. Nice preparation especially if they will have a parade of their own later. It does not make any pretense of explaining Chinese New Year. You would need look at additional books for that or the (animal) horoscopes.

This is by far the most exciting Chinese New Year book I've see for the 3-8 y.o. crowd. I've read it to my daughter's classes every year and the kids beam with excitement as the dragon unfolds. I also add the sound effects described in the book (wring out bubble wrap when they mention firecrackers, bang a drum, a gong, and small cymbals) and it adds so much to the experience.

This book is beautifully illustrated, informative, and entertaining as it unfolds.... literally unfolds.... into a giant dragon like the ones that dance in the festival. My students were amazed and enchanted!

Perfect book for preschool-kindergarten. I love how the book pages unfold to reveal a long long parade dragon! Read it to my son's preschool and they really enjoyed it.

This remains one of the best books available for classroom reading for Chinese New Year. However, it is great for pre-K or K, but too easy for 1st and 2nd grade, since kids nowadays are more sophisticated and know all about dragon dance by then (at least they think they do).

I used this book for a Chinese New Year presentation in my daughter's class. The children really enjoyed the story about the Chinese New Year, and also the full picture of the dragon.

My son is in love with Dragons and this story is a great book to help educate him about the role Dragon's play in the Chinese culture. The way the book is designed is a wonderful surprise.

I don't think it is the best Chinese New Year book on the market, but I can't wait to see the looks on my kindergartner's faces when I pull open the book to show them the Chinese dragon!

Marcia Vaughan's The Dancing Dragon has simplistic text about how Chinese New Year is celebrated in Chinatown. But, what makes this book worthwhile is that the pages all unfold accordion style to reveal the illustration of a long dragon from the parade. Good one to read to a classroom of kids since you could have a child hold each page as it unfolds. Just wish the book was a little larger in size--at 9"x7.5", a couple more inches would make it much better for classroom use.

Look for my reviews of a bunch of other CNY kids' books on my blog www(dot)myoverthinking(dot)com - look for the post dated January 25, 2012

My son has had this book since he was 4 and he loves it. Not only is it a good way to learn about Chinese New Year, but it's cleverly designed -- the entire book folds out into a dragon float. We read it year round and he enjoys it for the story as much as for the fun of unfolding and folding it. A great book at a great price!