The Perfect Back-To-School Book!
It's the perfect time of year for some school-themed picture books: many kiddos are already back to school and some are just about to start the new year. I love pumping my kids up at the start of the year by reading with them, and when we found Long Goes to Dragon School at the library, everyone was on board with including this in our back-to-school picture book round-up.
Illustrated by Mae Besom and Written by Helen H. Wu, children's author and publisher at Yeehoo Press, Long Goes to Dragon School is perfect for kids starting a new school year, attending a new school entirely, or both! My youngest just started preschool for the first time, so I was excited to read this book with him as we prepared for his exciting year ahead.
Long's emotional arc is creatively woven by Wu, who approaches the themes of feeling like an outsider and embracing what makes you unique in a gentle, playful way.
Synopsis
On the first day of Dragon School, Professor McKay is teaching the class how to use their fire breath to cook food. But Long has a secret: He doesn't breathe out fire! Where Long comes from, dragons breathe out water. As Long's classmates practice and practice, Long spends his time trying to make it look like he's practicing, too. After many failed attempts, Long must come clean... and discover that his secret may actually be his key to fitting in!
My Big Kid’s Honest Review:
What my Kids Loved: This story was engaging for both of my children. My oldest loved that the dragon students were learning to cook and enjoyed watching each dragon attempt to roast a potato. He made multiple comments on the illustrations- everything from the colors to the facial expressions of Long and his classmates. I read it to my little one using different voices for the characters, which he loved, and he had fun turning the pages.
What I Loved: Mae Besom's dreamy and inviting watercolor illustrations wrap the reader up in Long's world, evoking the elements of fire and water that the dragons possess. The book was as visually pleasing for me as it was for my kids! Long's emotional arc is creatively woven by Wu, who approaches the themes of feeling like an outsider and embracing what makes you unique in a gentle, playful way. The author's note at the end of the book deepens the connection between author and reader, with Wu sharing how her personal experience as a first generation immigrant inspired Long's tale.
My favorite lines:
"He tries drinking hot tea...
eating spicy chili...
and letting the sun warm his belly."
Final thoughts: Whether your kiddos have already started school or are still hanging on to the final days of summer, I highly recommend reading this book together. The message of inclusivity and acceptance is well done, and will leave kids feeling ready to embrace what makes them unique this year!
You can request Long Goes to Dragon School from your local library, or purchase from Yeehoo Press, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers- but don't forget to check your local independent bookstore first!
Great review, Julie. This book sounds very interesting and engaging.