Zigzoo - When a Dragon Catches a Cold. Ruowen Wang. Illustrated by Wei Xu.            Toronto, ON: Kevin & Robin Books (www.kevinandrobinbooks.com), 2007. 32 pp., cloth, $22.95. ISBN 978-0-9738799-8-8. Subject Headings: Dragons - Juvenile fiction. Problem solving - Juvenile fiction. Preschool-grade 1 / Ages 4-6. Review by Christina Neigel. **½ /4

excerpt:

The herbal medicine consultant thinks that Zigzoo’s branchy horns might poke through her roof and let in the rain. She says, “I think you have come to the wrong place. You need some over-the-counter medicine from a drugstore, not dry leaves and tree bark from me. You will have to try a pharmacist.”

A young dragon, Zigzoo, loses his fire when he catches a cold. Upon the advice of his grandmother, he seeks a remedy in the local city. The unhelpful string of advice he gets from a series of experts including a doctor, a dentist, an herbal medicine consultant and a fire chief only heightens Zigzoo’s despair as his cold gets worse. It is only when Zigzoo helps someone else that he finds a solution for his problem.

     This book is the product of author Ruowen Wang’s desire to create culturally diverse stories. Wei Xu’s expressive pencil outlined watercolours are the strongest component of this work. His illustrations add humour and interest to the halting text of the story. Like many picture books, the story uses repetition to create a pleasant predictability for children. However, the diction is strained as some words do not effectively assist the story’s flow. A further editorial revision would greatly enhance this work as its ethnic undertones have something unique to offer library and home collections.

Recommended with reservations.

Christina Neigel is the Department Head for the Library and Information Technology Program at the University College of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, BC.

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