Chin Chiang and the Dragon's Dance

Sheila Martindale is poetry editor of Canadian Author and Bookman and
author of No Greater Love, her sixth collection of poetry.

Chin Chiang’s big night is approaching, when he must dance the dragon’s dance for the Chinese new year. Though he has anticipated the event eagerly, when the time comes he is smitten with nerves and fear of failure. He runs off, and almost does not get back in time to wear the dragon costume along with his grandfather.

The best features of this book are the author’s illustrations, which are vivid and detailed, and at the same time simple enough for young children to appreciate. Somehow the text does not quite match up, and it is difficult to say why not. Perhaps because the author is writing about a culture not his own; perhaps because the characters appear underdeveloped; perhaps because the story seems to offer more than it actually delivers.

I would have liked to know more about the grandfather, for example. Why is Chin so afraid of not coming up to his expectations? Is he perhaps too stern and uncompromising, or is Chin afraid to disappoint a wise and gentle person? And Chin’s new friend, Pu Wee, who according to the blurb helps him gain the confidence he needs: all we know about her is that she has corns and is apparently able to leave her cleaning job at a moment’s notice to join in the festivities. The author does not give us any hint as to why she is able to influence the boy.

However, this book is beautifully produced, and one must always applaud publishers for producing children’s literature featuring cultures other than the traditional “WASP.”