Book Review of Long Goes to Dragon School
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The Children’s Book Review
Long Goes to Dragon School
Written by Helen H. Wu
Illustrated by Mae Besom
Ages 4+ | 36 Pages
Publisher: Yeehoo Press | ISBN-13: 9781953458506
What to Expect: Chinese dragon lore, perseverance, cultural inclusion, self-discovery, and growth mindset.
Drawing on the author’s real-life experiences as a first-generation Chinese American immigrant, Long Goes to Dragon School reflects the hopes and fears of many children who feel they don’t fit in or have the ability to contribute in school.
On the first day of dragon school, Long the Dragon discovers something terrible: he’s different from the other dragons in his class! While they can all breathe fire, Long comes from the East, where dragons breathe water, not flame. Their teacher has set them an assignment: learn to cook food with their fire, so they can all have a class picnic at the end of the week. How will Long participate and fit in when he can’t fire-roast anything? With perseverance and a little help from his teacher, Long learns to appreciate his unique talent and understand that “different” is not the same as “less.”
Importantly, Long demonstrates both perseverance and a growth mindset for readers, showing them how they can “find [their] own path” (p. 16) through the combination of hard work and self-belief. Mae Besom’s dreamy watercolor illustrations place particular emphasis on emotions, helping readers consider the positive benefits of trying hard and believing in yourself, as well as creating a beautiful ethereal book.
Long Goes to Dragon School is an entertaining and instructive way to introduce readers to a growth mindset, inclusivity, and self-belief.
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About the Author
Helen H. Wu is a children’s book author and illustrator, as well as a translator and publisher. She is the author of Tofu Takes Time, illustrated by Julie Jarema (Beaming Books, 2022) and Long Goes To Dragon School, illustrated by Mae Besom (Yeehoo Press, 2023). Helen is the Publisher of Yeehoo Press, an independent children’s book publisher based in San Diego, California. Being fascinated by the differences and similarities between cultures, Helen loves to share stories that empower children to understand the world and our connections.
Find more about Helen at helenhwu.com and connect with Helen on Twitter and Instagram @helenhwu.
About the Illustrator
Mae Besom is an award-winning artist whose books include New York Times bestsellers What Do You Do With an Idea? and What Do You Do With a Chance? Mae uses traditional media, pencil, and watercolor to create texture and light within her enchanting illustrations. Mae lives in Chongqing, China.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of Long Goes to Dragon School. Learn more about getting a book review …
