Awakening the Dragon: The Dragon Boat Festival. Arlene Chan. Illustrated by Song Nan Zhang. Toronto, ON: Tundra, 2004. 24 pp., cloth, $22.99. ISBN 0-88776-656-0. Subject Heading: Festivals-China-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-4 / Ages 6-9. Review by Carolyn Kim. *** /4

excerpt:

Some people say the Dragon Boat Festival started with the ancient worship of the River Dragon and the dragon boat races. Others believe it began in memory of one of China’s famous poets, Qu Yuan.

Gaining much international recognition, dragon boat racing is a modern day sport that has roots extending to Ancient China. Arlene Chan, both a librarian and an experienced dragon boat racer, has compiled various beliefs that make up a distinctive part of Chinese festival history. She describes how the dragon both symbolized protection and peril that wielded great power over the forces of nature. People believed that, if they honoured this creature by making long narrow boats to race against one another, they could summon the dragon to bring rains for a fruitful harvest. Chan’s research shows that there were varying theories that accounted for the development of this tradition.

     Whatever theory one believed in, it was agreed upon that participating in the Dragon Boat Festival would bring one good fortune. Awakening the Dragon goes into detail of festival preparations based on superstitions and how children took part by wearing bracelets and ribbons in their hair to symbolize long life. Furthermore, the reader will learn that special foods were offered up to the Dragon as well as there being dramatic appearances by Zhong Kui, the demon slayer. Not only is the book about the history of the Dragon Boat Festival, but it is also about the modern-day preparation for the races. Several pages are dedicated to revealing information of how dragon boat racing demands endurance, technique, timing and teamwork from each individual involved.

Recommended.

Carolyn Kim is an MA student in Children’s Literature at The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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