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bickie's review
3.0
Gondra is a dragon child with a mother from the west (read: Europe) and a father from the east (read: Asia). She has different characteristics of both parents, though she's not sure whether her wings will grow and/or she will develop flying magic, so no flying yet. While this is a fun introduction to the fundamental characteristics of the two cultural traditions' versions of dragons, I wish the mom had not been so critical of the dad.
For example, Mom breathes fire, while Dad breathes mist. "Mom shrugged. 'Compared to fire, [mist] seems ... um ... pretty boring.' Dad frowned. 'What did you say?' Mom cleared her throat and spoke loudly. 'I said "pretty." Mist is pretty.'"
Also, "Dad's scales are mostly bue and green. He has a few red and gold ones too. 'My side of the family has bronze scales,' Mom said. 'It's classier. Not as garish.' 'What does garish mean?' I asked. 'Gaudy. Flashy.' 'Nothing wrong with a little flair,' Dad said. 'I like flashy,' I said. 'I like classy too.' 'Bronze, eh?' Dad said. 'Well, whatever color they are, they're gorgeous.' Mom blushed. 'Why, thank you, dear.'"
And, "Mom's ancestors lived in caves full of treasure. 'What did they want with all that stuff?' Dad asked. 'It was treasure, for heaven's sake,' Mom said. 'Dad, everybody likes treasure!' Some of Dad's family lived in lakes or rivers. The rest lived in the clouds. 'Our treasure was a magic pearl that we could hold in one claw,' Dad said. 'Just one treasure?' I asked. 'What were you too lazy to search for more?' Mom teased. 'Why have more than you need?' Dad said."
When Gondra asks what happened to the magic pearls and caves full of treasure, she says, "'Oh, that's right. We don't need them anymore--because I'm your treasure.' 'The best treasure ever!' Dad said. Mom smiled. 'Why have more than you need?'"
Author's note at the end is a two-page spread about some of the history of dragon mythology, addressing the question, "How did people on opposite sides of the world come up with imaginary beings that share so many characteristics?"
For example, Mom breathes fire, while Dad breathes mist. "Mom shrugged. 'Compared to fire, [mist] seems ... um ... pretty boring.' Dad frowned. 'What did you say?' Mom cleared her throat and spoke loudly. 'I said "pretty." Mist is pretty.'"
Also, "Dad's scales are mostly bue and green. He has a few red and gold ones too. 'My side of the family has bronze scales,' Mom said. 'It's classier. Not as garish.' 'What does garish mean?' I asked. 'Gaudy. Flashy.' 'Nothing wrong with a little flair,' Dad said. 'I like flashy,' I said. 'I like classy too.' 'Bronze, eh?' Dad said. 'Well, whatever color they are, they're gorgeous.' Mom blushed. 'Why, thank you, dear.'"
And, "Mom's ancestors lived in caves full of treasure. 'What did they want with all that stuff?' Dad asked. 'It was treasure, for heaven's sake,' Mom said. 'Dad, everybody likes treasure!' Some of Dad's family lived in lakes or rivers. The rest lived in the clouds. 'Our treasure was a magic pearl that we could hold in one claw,' Dad said. 'Just one treasure?' I asked. 'What were you too lazy to search for more?' Mom teased. 'Why have more than you need?' Dad said."
When Gondra asks what happened to the magic pearls and caves full of treasure, she says, "'Oh, that's right. We don't need them anymore--because I'm your treasure.' 'The best treasure ever!' Dad said. Mom smiled. 'Why have more than you need?'"
Author's note at the end is a two-page spread about some of the history of dragon mythology, addressing the question, "How did people on opposite sides of the world come up with imaginary beings that share so many characteristics?"
mnstucki's review
4.0
Such a fun book! I loved that the differences between Gondra's parents were based in actual differences in the mythology of different parts of the world regarding dragons.
readingthroughtheages's review
4.0
The newest picture book by Park, this book looks at different dragon lore that comes from the west and the east. The dragons are depicted as a mom and dad dragon and their child has traits from both. The curious child asks many questions about how dragons are depicted in the east and the west and how it sits with her. While the differences in dragons is named, I felt like this can also be a discussion that many children have with parents - traits they get from mom and traits they get from dad.
rhodesee's review
4.0
This is a cool way to explore family history and the stories that we pass down.
spootilious's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A beautifully illustrated children’s book about a child born into two different cultures!
Gondra’s father is an eastern dragon, while her mother is a western dragon, and throughout the book the three discuss the differences in culture and celebrate the different mix that presents itself in Gondra.
It’s a wonderful story about celebrating who we are and our differences along with the things we have in common.
Even though I doubt young children will consciously pick up on the message the story is engaging and the art is stunning.
libraryjen's review
4.0
The illustrations were a little too messy for my taste, but I love the story and the idea of the story. Gondra is the product of a mixed marriage and even though her parents disagree on some cultural things, they love her completely and are excited to see the blending of their cultures in her. It's a beautiful concept that Park renders flawlessly. Good for both a group read aloud and a one-on-one read.
cweichel's review
5.0
I might love this more than others because the story fits my granddaughter's story. Her mother is Korean and her father, is a mixture of all kinds of backgrounds, primarily German. Their daughter is like like the child dragon in this story, half east and half west. She is our treasure.
There is too much text on the page to entertain a two year old, but the two of us enjoyed looking at the gorgeous artwork. She pointed to the little dragon and called it Ada dragon and identified the adults as Mommy and Daddy. She loved the flying images and claimed that she would fly someday. I guess that's enough for her age.
There is too much text on the page to entertain a two year old, but the two of us enjoyed looking at the gorgeous artwork. She pointed to the little dragon and called it Ada dragon and identified the adults as Mommy and Daddy. She loved the flying images and claimed that she would fly someday. I guess that's enough for her age.
libscote's review
4.0
I really liked this one, which explains the differences between dragons from the West and dragons from the East.