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UNIT CONCLUSION & BIBLIOGRAPHY
Conclusion | Bibliography
This unit can be expanded to included several other parts for which I have included materials in the binder. Two additional Parts (III and IV) are fully developed in the binder available at the Primary Source Library.
1. Dragons play a large role in the Chinese Holidays of Chinese New Year and the Dragon Boat Festival. These same tudents might explore either of these festivals, but the Dragon Boat festival in particular seems particularly fertile as one can introduce Chinese poetry through the figure Qu Yuan, the politician-poet who, in committing suicide, brought the holiday into being. Dragon boats appear in many Chinese scroll paintings. The festival is celebrated every year in Boston by the Children’s Museum and in past year the school where I work has had a team of parents who compete.
2. The Dragon is one of the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. The year 2000 is the Year of the Dragon. A wonderful opportunity exists, therefore, to celebrate the Chinese New Year with the Dragon Dance and to continue the celebration by experimenting with Chinese fortune telling.
3. A geography unit incorporating the many locations in China which include the word “dragon” in their descriptions would enrich the unit with a “big map” exercise.
4. There are sufficient sites on the World Wide Web to warrant the creation
of a Chinese Dragon webquest which would provide an excellent opportunity to
integrate technology into the unit. (see the Dragon
unit created for ThinkQuest to see what other student teams have accomplished.
I have included a list of Chinese dragon sites at the end of the unit.
5. This is an infinitely expandable unit I hope to continue the collection of materials which will enrich the study of Chinese Dragons by students.
DRAGON BIBLIOGRAPHY
Dragon Books
Bateson-Hill, Margaret. Lao-Lao of Dragon Mountain (Francesca Pelizzoli, illustrator) New York: Kingfisher Chambers, 1998 (1840890118, $7.95 pb, Ages 5-8)
In this Chinese folk tale, Lao-Lao can create anything with scissors and paper that the children of her village ask for. When the greedy and literal-minded emperor hears of this, he commands his evil minions to lock Lao-Lao in the tower until she fills a treasure chest with jewels. Her plight riles the anger of the Ice Dragon, who takes revenge on the emperor and gives Lao-Lao a new home on his back.
Brooke, William J. A Brush with Magic. New York:Harper, 1993. OP
An extended retelling of the popular Chinese folk tale. Liang, an orphan boy with a magic paintbrush that brings to life whatever he paints, travels to the court of the Emperor of China to find his fortune and true love.
Coleman, Teresa. Dragons and Silk from the Forbidden City (Genius of China-A close-up guide). Hong Kong: Odyssey/Norton, 1998. $14.95.
Survey of the robes and hangings which belonged to the Imperial family in Beijing.
Demi. The Dragon's Tale : And Other Animal Fables of the Chinese Zodiac . New York: Holt, 1996. ( ISBN 0805034463, $16.95, Ages 7-10).
Simple introduction to the animals of the Chinese zodiac including the year of the dragon.
Demi. Happy New Year! Kung-Hsi Fa-Ts'Ai. New York: Crown Pub., 1998 (ISBN: 0517709570, $16.00, Ages 4-8).
Firecrackers explode and the Dragon Dance begins during Chinese New Year. The
activities and traditions that make up the Chinese New Year festivities are portrayed in
beautiful, full-color detail. Each spread contains a brief explanation of the significance of
each custom, telling how it fits into the month-long celebration.
Demi. Liang and the Magic Paintbrush. New York:Holt, 1980 (ISBN 0030562899, OP. Ages 4-8). Boy with a magic paintbrush makes everything he paints come alive.
Dragon in Chinese Art C/W95/Ww, Palace Museum, Vol. 3 , CD-ROM Cdr sftwre edition (July1998), $49.95 (ISBN: 6304899149).
Color reproductions of the dragon motif as reflected in Chinese art. Expensive but a useful resource for those interested pursuring the dragon through the periods of Chinese history.
“Dragons” .Faces, April, 1985.
An early issue of this anthropology magazine devoted to the subject of dragons from many cultures. Back issues available from the magazine headquarters.
Carpenter, Frances. Tales of a Chinese Grandmother (Malthe Hasselriis, Illustrator). Boston: Charles E. Tuttle, 1991 ( ISBN: 0804810427, $8.95 pb, Ages 8+
An excellent collection of folktales for elementary students reprinted after many years out of print containing several dragon stories.
Eberhard, Richard. Folktales of China. Chicago: U. of Chicago Press, 1965. OP
An excellent and scholarly collection of well researched folktales from China.
Garrett, Valery M. Chinese Dragon Robes (Images of Asia). New York:Oxford Univ Press, 1996 (ISBN: 0195904990, $12.95, Adult and younger for illustrations).
Attractive little art book with many illustrations of Dragon robes.
Gibbons, Gail. Behold...the Dragons., New York: Harper, 1999 (068815526X, $16.99, Ages 7-10 ).
Lively introduction to the folklore of dragons from all cultures.
Gittings, Robert and Manton, Jo. The Flying Horses: Tales from China, New York: Holt, 1977. OP
27 folk tales from many parts of China.
Huxley, Francis. The Dragon: Nature of spirit, spirit of nature. New York: Thames & Hudson, 1979 (ISBN:0500810206, $12.95pb, Adult).
Compendium of dragon lore from many cultures. Excellent platesText is adult and of limitied use.
Jagendorf, M. A. and Weng, Virginia. The Magic Boat and Other Chinese Folk Stories. New York: Vanguard, 1980. OP
A collection of tales from the Han and the minority peoples of China.
Kendall, Carol. Sweet and Sour: Tales from China. Boston: Houghton, 1980.
An excellent introduction begins this well-reviewed collection of folktales.
Lattimore, Deborah. The Dragon’s Robe. New York: Harper, 1990. $14.95 (OP).
Picture book about a brave weaver who saves China from drought and invasion by weaving a dragon robe.
Lawson, Julie. The Dragon's Pearl (Paul Morin, Illustrator). Boston:Clarion Books, 1993. (039563623X, $15.95, Ages 5-8).
After finding a shimmering magical pearl, Xiao Sheng, a poor boy, and his mother are
blessed with good fortune that they generously share with others, in a lyrical tale based
on ancient Chinese dragon lore.
Leaf. Margaret. Eyes of the Dragon (Ed Young, Illustrator). New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1987 (ISBN 0688061559, Ages 5-8). OP
One of the key texts for the introductory lesson--unfortunately OPbut available in libraries--introduces reader to village life during the Song Dynasty, to the conventions of Chinese dragon depiction and to the itinerant dragon painter Ch’en Jung (Chen Rong) who created his remarkable scrolls in the 13th century.
Lewis, Elizabeth Foreman. Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze. New York: Dell, 1932/1977.
Young Fu is bound for 7 years as apprentice to Tang the coppersmith and travels from the country to the city of Chungking the 1920’s, a period of great upheavel in China.
Man-Ho Kwok. Chinese Astrology: Forecast Your Future from Your Chinese Horoscope. Boston: Charles Tuttle, 1997 (0804831270, $19.95, Adult).
Background information on the Year of the Dragon.
“The Ming Dynasty: the World of the Yongle Emperor.” Calliope Magazine, Vol. 5, No.5, MaY/June, 1995.
Issue devoted to the history, inventions and cultural contributions to China of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
Osborne, Mary. Day of the Dragon King (Magic Tree House#14). New York:Random, 1997. Easy-to-read time travel story set in ancient China in which dragonlike qualities of the firstemperor are stressed.
Pattison, Darcy. The River Dragon (Jean Tseng and Mou-Sien Tseng, Illustrators)
New York: Lothrop Lee & Shepard (ISBN: 0688104266, Ages 5-8).
Based on Chinese dragon lore, this tale of a prospective bridegroom who must outwit a
river dragon to earn his bride has illustrations containing traditional elements but
reflecting no particular period of Chinese history
Reddix, Valerie. Dragon Kite of the Autumn Moon (Jean Tseng, Illustrator). New York: Lothrop Lee & Shepard, 1992 ($14.00, Ages 9-12).
A boy's love for his grandfather is depicted in a story based on ancient traditions inTaiwan. Watercolors capture the beauty of the dragon kite that Tad-Tin treasures but is willing to part with in order to restore his grandfather's failing health.
Roberts, Moss, ed. Chinese Fairy Tales & Fantasies. New York: Pantheon, (0394739949, $15.00, Adult).
Ghost stories, ramances, fables and sagas are included in this collection which is part literary fairy tale and part folktale.
Sanders. Tao Tao Liu. Dragons, Gods and Spirits from Chinese Mythology. New York: Peter Bedrick, 1980 (ISBN:0872269221, $24.95, Ages10-14).
Covering topics such as dragons, superstitions, and cultural tradition, each section supplies historical background on its subject, followed by a selection of myths. Attractive line drawings and color paintings stylistically reflect the stories' Chinese origins.
Shuker, Karl. Dragon: A Natural History. New York: Simon&Schuster, 1995 (ISBN:0684814439, $22.50, Adult).
Excellent picture material accompanies this cross-cultural volume describing the varieties, dwellings and traditions of dragons throughout the world.
Stepanchuk, Carol. Red Eggs and Dragon Boats : Celebrating Chinese Festivals .
Pacific View Pr, 1994 (ISBN: 1881896080, $16.95, Gr. 3-6).
This attractive introduction to Chinese festivals describes five traditional celebrations: the New Year with its Lantern Festival, the Clear Brightness Festival, a Full Month Red Egg and Ginger Party (for a new baby), the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Moon Festival.
Vaughn, Marcia K. The Dancing Dragon (Wong Hoo Foon, Illustrator) Mondo Publications, 1996 (ISBN: 1572551348, $5.95pb, Ages 4-8).
The Chinese New Year is about to begin. There's lots to do--tie strings of firecrackers outside, hang up red scrolls, bake special cakes, and sing New Year's songs. And when family and friends are gathered together, it's time for the parade to begin. This book folds out to reveal all the color and excitement of a traditional Chinese New Year celebration,complete with dancing dragon.
Walters, Derek. Chinese Mythology: An Encyclopedia of Myth and Legend. London: Diamond, 1992. $.95, Adult.
Background information on dragon and other figures associated with myth and legend in China.
Werner, E. T. C. Myths and Legends of China. Chicago:Dover Publications, 1994 (ISBN:0486280926, $11.95, Ages 8-Adult).
Offering a glimpse into a world dominated by traditional rules of etiquette and inhabited by demons, dragon-gods, and spirits, this volume presents a wealth of information illuminating the ideas and beliefs that governed the daily lives of Chinese people long before the revolutions of the 20th century. Engrossing and informative, the book will appeal not only to lovers of folklore but to everyone interested in Chinese art,culture or philosophy.
Williams, Jay. Everyone Knows what a Dragon Looks Like (Mercer Mayer, illustrator). New York: Dial, 1976 ($6.95 pb, Ages 5-8).
An excellent introduction to Chinese dragons, this picture book also deals directly with the issues of stereotyping. Set in a Chinese border town during one of the periods of Mongol invasion. Dragon powers of transformation.
WU Tung. Tales from the Land of Dragons: 1,000 Years of Chinese Painting, Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, 1997 (ISBN 0878464387, $40.00pb, All Ages).
Excellent prints of the Chen Rong (Chen Jung) “Nine Dragons” Handscroll which inspired Margaret Leaf’s creation of the Eyes of the Dragon as well as a scholarly explanation of this unique Tao painter’s work.
Yep, Laurence. Dragon of the Lost Sea. New York:Harper, 1982 (ISBN:0064402274, $4.95, 10-14).
Book 1 in Yep’s Dragon Series, this fantasy quest is based on Chinese myth and folklore about dragons. Shimmer, a renegade dragon princess, tries to redeem herself by capturing a witch with the help of an orphan boy. Good for reading aloud at third grade and up.
Yep, Laurence. The Dragon Prince. New York:Harper, 1997 (ISBN:0064435180, 5.95, Ages 5-8).
Picture book folk tale tells story of poor farmer’s youngest daughter who agrees to marry a fierce dragon in order to save her father’s life. Beauty and the Beast tale stressing powers of transformation.
Young, Ed and Becket, Hilary. The Rooster’s Horns: A Chinese Puppet Play to Make and Perform. New York: Collins, 1978 (Ages 5-8). OP
Presents the plot of a Chinese puppet pllay and includes directions for making shadow puppets and a theatre. An excellent extension activity for children wishing to explore dragon stories in an alternative form. Story must be converted into narration and stage direction.
Zhang, Song Nan et al. A Time of Golden Dragons. Ontario: Tundra Books, 2000 (0887765068, $16.95, Ages 8-12, younger if read aloud).
This fine introduction to one of the world’s most powerful
symbols traces Chinese dragon history and legends with excellent and clear illustrations
done by the author’s son.
| Conclusion | | | Bibliography |