The Last Dragon [Hardcover]

Susan Miho Nunes (Author), Chris K. Soentpiet (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 24, 1995 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

An old ten-man dragon in a Chinatown shop window turns Peter Chang's summer visit to Great Aunt, which he had been dreading, into an exciting adventure. The Last Dragon's silk is faded and torn, and its eyes are gone, but Peter finds people willing to help restore the dragon to life-Great Aunt's mahjongg friends, a tailor, a kite maker, a street artist-and learns his way around the neighborhood at the same time. The banquet that honors the dragon's return to its full glory and marks the end of Peter's visit is also a celebration of Chinatown's unique culture. Chris K. Soentpiet's exquisitely detailed watercolor paintings are filled with the energy and color of the busy streets and shops of Chinatown.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4?When Peter Chang's parents send him to Chinatown for the summer to stay with his great aunt, he feels alienated and homesick?until he discovers a worn-out dragon, large enough for 10 men to carry, crammed in a shop window. His aunt reluctantly agrees to let him take it home, and he embarks on a summer-long quest to restore the wrecked bundle of silk and wood to its former glory. He involves many others in the project: the tailor, Great Aunt's mahjongg friends, the kitemaker, the herbalist, an artist, and, at last, the Buddhist priest, all of whom are touched by Peter's determination. Watercolor paintings, reminiscent of Ted Lewin's work, lovingly depict in glorious and enticing detail a close-knit Cantonese community in an unnamed big-city Chinatown. Expressions and gestures vividly convey each character's emotion as Peter wins the adults over to his cause. His anxiety and joy, along with the affection and excitement of his elders as the dragon comes to life, light up the book. The well-written text, as substantial as the artwork in specific and authentic detail, draws readers into Peter's new world. A welcome story about contemporary Chinese American life.?Margaret A. Chang, North Adams State College, MA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-8. Although this story features a little boy, its main character is really a Chinese American community. Peter is not happy about spending his summer in Chinatown with his great-aunt. But his feelings begin to change when he spots an old, 10-man dragon in a shop window. With the help of his great-aunt, he acquires the dragon and sets out to repair it. Friends and shopkeepers are enlisted in the task. Mr. Pong the tailor agrees to sew up holes in exchange for Peter running errands; Miss Chiao the kitemaker fixes the tail; and his great-aunt's mah-jongg group gilds the dragon's horns. In the course of making the dragon new again, Peter learns about the people and shops of Chinatown as well as the traditions of his culture. Nunes' text builds to a satisfying conclusion, although it makes an occasional abrupt shift along the way. The expansive watercolor illustrations are warm, colorful, and full of details unique to Chinatown. An endnote provides information on Chinese dragon lore. Leone McDermott

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books; 1St Edition edition (April 24, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395670209
• ISBN-13: 978-0395670200
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 10.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,062,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ..., January 17, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Last Dragon (Paperback)

The Last Dragon was a very good book. It has very good illustrations also, and the story is very good itself. It describes the pictures very well, and the pictures are very realistic. I think that this would be a good book for children 6 and up. It also tells people the history of the Chinese New Year. Also what they do at this time of the year. This was a great book!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Taylor from Ashley River Creative Arts El., December 4, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Last Dragon (Paperback)

The illustrations brought the book to life. My favorite part was when the boy got the dragon. My favorite picture was when the dragon was used in the parade. I give this book five

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Landon from Ashley River Creative Arts, January 17, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Last Dragon (Paperback)

I like the book The Last Dragon because it has good illustrations and I like the reality in the drawing. Also I like how the story is written and I love the dragon. Also I like the emotions in the boy. In the illustrations he put in a lot of detail and shadows. I like the food because it makes me hungry. I like the Chinese names. Also I like all the stuff he put in one picture.