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The Dragon Prince: A Chinese Beauty & the Beast Tale
A poor farmer's youngest daughter agrees to marry a fierce dragon in order to save her father's life.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 1997
1 person is currently reading
881 people want to read
About the author
Laurence Yep
120 books296 followersBorn June 14, 1948 in San Francisco, California, Yep was the son of Thomas Gim Yep and Franche Lee Yep. Franche Lee, her family's youngest child, was born in Ohio and raised in West Virginia where her family owned a Chinese laundry. Yep's father, Thomas, was born in China and came to America at the age of ten where he lived, not in Chinatown, but with an Irish friend in a white neighborhood. After troubling times during the Depression, he was able to open a grocery store in an African-American neighborhood. Growing up in San Francisco, Yep felt alienated. He was in his own words his neighborhood's "all-purpose Asian" and did not feel he had a culture of his own. Joanne Ryder, a children's book author, and Yep met and became friends during college while she was his editor. They later married and now live in San Francisco.
Although not living in Chinatown, Yep commuted to a parochial bilingual school there. Other students at the school, according to Yep, labeled him a "dumbbell Chinese" because he spoke only English. During high school he faced the white American culture for the first time. However, it was while attending high school that he started writing for a science fiction magazine, being paid one cent a word for his efforts. After two years at Marquette University, Yep transferred to the University of California at Santa Cruz where he graduated in 1970 with a B.A. He continued on to earn a Ph.D. in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1975. Today as well as writing, he has taught writing and Asian American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Barbara.
Although not living in Chinatown, Yep commuted to a parochial bilingual school there. Other students at the school, according to Yep, labeled him a "dumbbell Chinese" because he spoke only English. During high school he faced the white American culture for the first time. However, it was while attending high school that he started writing for a science fiction magazine, being paid one cent a word for his efforts. After two years at Marquette University, Yep transferred to the University of California at Santa Cruz where he graduated in 1970 with a B.A. He continued on to earn a Ph.D. in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1975. Today as well as writing, he has taught writing and Asian American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Barbara.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
December 16, 2022
This is like a version of Beauty & Beast in which Beast is more of an arsehole and Beauty's sister is even a bigger arsehole, that's what I thought upon finishing this Chinese fairy tale.
I was unable to find the specific folktale Laurence Yep used to base his retelling on, but my educated guess is that it's based on the maiden sacrificed to the Sea Dragon tale, of which there are variations in China, Korea, and Japan. The elements of this retelling do support this theory of mine, but I wouldn't say it is in its pure form as there seems to be modifications that make it more B&B-like than the traditional folktale as I remember it. Whatever the case, it definitely fits in the Beauty & Beast category.
Now, as for the idiocy... This dragon prince is a bastard in the beginning. He's out in the rice fields disguised as a simple and harmless little water snake when Seven's evil sister tries to kill it but Seven saves it and kindly frees it into the sea. Is the dragon grateful for this compassionate act of saving its worthless life? No! He transforms back into a sea dragon and up and kidnaps Seven's beloved father, demanding he give him one of his daughters or he'll kill him. Seriously! At least Beauty's father stole a rose and gave Beast reason for anger, but this poor old man did absolutely nothing! Not that the stupid dragon cares, he'll kill the poor old man for no reason. Idiot could've just offered the man riches and a dowry for his daughter, he is a freaking magical being, he can summon gold from seafoam. But oh, no, let's threaten to kill my father-in-law, because I'm a cool bully like that. And of course Seven (why bother to give useless girls a name, anyway? This tale gives the women numbers, not a name) accepts to be Idiot Dragon's wife to save her beloved father.
Stockholm Syndrome ensues, because of course Seven and Idiot Dragon fall in love. This sort of warped plot is why so many people think B&B is pure Stockholm Syndrome even when it isn't.
Then, like in B&B, Seven wants to return to see her father and console him. Oh, but then is where Three, the evil sister, acts really evil and knocks her out and impersonates Seven, returning to the dragon palace under the sea masquerading as her. Idiot Dragon, naturally, can't tell his nose from his butt and despite his suspicions, he accepts Three as his wife and lets her live in the palace, whilst his true wife is out. Don't ask me how this tale gets a happy ending, but if it was up to me I'd have sought another, worthier, more responsible and sensible man for Seven, and punted this cretin of a dragon prince that doesn't deserve her at all into the deepest depths of the dark sea.
I wouldn't recommend this book. I'm sure the original folktale is much better, or at least makes more sense (... I hope) than this rendition.
I was unable to find the specific folktale Laurence Yep used to base his retelling on, but my educated guess is that it's based on the maiden sacrificed to the Sea Dragon tale, of which there are variations in China, Korea, and Japan. The elements of this retelling do support this theory of mine, but I wouldn't say it is in its pure form as there seems to be modifications that make it more B&B-like than the traditional folktale as I remember it. Whatever the case, it definitely fits in the Beauty & Beast category.
Now, as for the idiocy... This dragon prince is a bastard in the beginning. He's out in the rice fields disguised as a simple and harmless little water snake when Seven's evil sister tries to kill it but Seven saves it and kindly frees it into the sea. Is the dragon grateful for this compassionate act of saving its worthless life? No! He transforms back into a sea dragon and up and kidnaps Seven's beloved father, demanding he give him one of his daughters or he'll kill him. Seriously! At least Beauty's father stole a rose and gave Beast reason for anger, but this poor old man did absolutely nothing! Not that the stupid dragon cares, he'll kill the poor old man for no reason. Idiot could've just offered the man riches and a dowry for his daughter, he is a freaking magical being, he can summon gold from seafoam. But oh, no, let's threaten to kill my father-in-law, because I'm a cool bully like that. And of course Seven (why bother to give useless girls a name, anyway? This tale gives the women numbers, not a name) accepts to be Idiot Dragon's wife to save her beloved father.
Stockholm Syndrome ensues, because of course Seven and Idiot Dragon fall in love. This sort of warped plot is why so many people think B&B is pure Stockholm Syndrome even when it isn't.
Then, like in B&B, Seven wants to return to see her father and console him. Oh, but then is where Three, the evil sister, acts really evil and knocks her out and impersonates Seven, returning to the dragon palace under the sea masquerading as her. Idiot Dragon, naturally, can't tell his nose from his butt and despite his suspicions, he accepts Three as his wife and lets her live in the palace, whilst his true wife is out. Don't ask me how this tale gets a happy ending, but if it was up to me I'd have sought another, worthier, more responsible and sensible man for Seven, and punted this cretin of a dragon prince that doesn't deserve her at all into the deepest depths of the dark sea.
I wouldn't recommend this book. I'm sure the original folktale is much better, or at least makes more sense (... I hope) than this rendition.
April 4, 2020
Prolific Chinese-American children's author Laurence Yep - whose
Dragonwings
(1975) and
Dragon's Gate
(1993) were both Newbery Honor titles - presents a traditional tale from "Southern China" in this engaging picture-book. When the kind-hearted seventh daughter of a poor farmer, named Seven for her birth-order, saves the life of a little golden snake, she has no way of knowing that he is really a Dragon Prince from the kingdom under the sea, or that he will take her father hostage, in order to convince her to marry him (naturally, the farmer asks each of his daughters to make the sacrifice, but only Seven is willing). Rather than being afraid of or horrified by her new bridegroom, however, Seven is filled with wonder, and takes to her new underwater life. Until a visit home, and the jealousy of her sister, Three, puts all in jeopardy...
As will be apparent from its sub-title, this story is a variant of the Beauty and the Beast type tale - specifically: "King Dragon," which is type 433b in the Aarne-Thompson folklore classification system - and is distinctive, in that it features lovers who must each see past false appearances. I appreciated that aspect of the story, and was happy to read a variant of one of my favorite tale types from a non-European culture. Which is not to say that there aren't many non-European variants - see Betsy Hearne's Beauties and Beasts for an international collection - but not all of them make it into picture-book form.
Kam Mak's illustrations are vividly colorful, and quite beautiful, although I think there are one or two paintings here that miss the mark. I loved the depiction of the Dragon Prince, as a dragon, but the human figures were a little uneven. Seven herself sometimes looked soft and young, as when she was freeing the snake; and then sometimes she appeared rather old and tired, as in her scene when her husband is in human form, and she is handing him his slippers. I'm not sure why her appearance changes so markedly, but the unevenness of it distracted me. I also found myself wishing that Yep had given more details about his source material, as the brief note on the colophon only mentioned that the story was from the southern Chinese tradition.
Still, despite these minor criticisms, over all I really do love this book (which I own), both for its story and for (some of) its artwork. Recommended to young folklore enthusiasts, and to readers interested in variants of the "Enchanted Spouse" tale-type.
As will be apparent from its sub-title, this story is a variant of the Beauty and the Beast type tale - specifically: "King Dragon," which is type 433b in the Aarne-Thompson folklore classification system - and is distinctive, in that it features lovers who must each see past false appearances. I appreciated that aspect of the story, and was happy to read a variant of one of my favorite tale types from a non-European culture. Which is not to say that there aren't many non-European variants - see Betsy Hearne's Beauties and Beasts for an international collection - but not all of them make it into picture-book form.
Kam Mak's illustrations are vividly colorful, and quite beautiful, although I think there are one or two paintings here that miss the mark. I loved the depiction of the Dragon Prince, as a dragon, but the human figures were a little uneven. Seven herself sometimes looked soft and young, as when she was freeing the snake; and then sometimes she appeared rather old and tired, as in her scene when her husband is in human form, and she is handing him his slippers. I'm not sure why her appearance changes so markedly, but the unevenness of it distracted me. I also found myself wishing that Yep had given more details about his source material, as the brief note on the colophon only mentioned that the story was from the southern Chinese tradition.
Still, despite these minor criticisms, over all I really do love this book (which I own), both for its story and for (some of) its artwork. Recommended to young folklore enthusiasts, and to readers interested in variants of the "Enchanted Spouse" tale-type.
August 9, 2021
Beautiful illustrations, and an interesting spin on Beauty and the Beast. Part of it reminds me of the Irish Ballad The Two Sisters, with a dash of Swan Lake, but the prince actually can tell the other person isn't the woman he loves.
October 20, 2011
The Dragon Prince, by Laurence Yep, is a Chinese folkloric children's book.The story starts off with a farmer and his seven daughters, the seventh being his favorite. The seventh daughter, there are no real names mentioned just their numbers, seems to be of perfect character as well as aesthetics. One day a dragon threatens to kills the farmer if none of the daughters agree to marry him, Seven is the only one to come to his rescue. Seven and the dragon fly off eventually getting to a palace where the dragon turns into a prince. Seven and the Prince live happily for a long time, but eventually Seven wants to visit her family. When the jealous sister, number Three, sees that Seven has returned to visit, Three kills Seven and takes her place with the prince. Seven did not actually die but feels betrayed by her family and also by the prince since he could not tell the difference between the two sisters.But alas, the prince does recognize something is wrong and goes out to find Seven, he does and they live happily ever after.
The recommended age range is 5-8 but I would personally recommend an age range of 7-9. This is because the vocabulary seems to be of a higher quality with words such as province and embroider.The pictures that accompanied the story are fantastic. Kam Mak, the illustrator, did an incredible job with the detail and realism of the illustrations.The pictures help to reinforce the plot as well as create an nice pause from the reading every page. For the pictures alone, I recommend this story very highly. The only problem with they story itself is the ambiguity of the names. The author might have done that to allow the audience to see themselves as the characters but it made the story a little less fluid.Other than the names, the story was great.
The recommended age range is 5-8 but I would personally recommend an age range of 7-9. This is because the vocabulary seems to be of a higher quality with words such as province and embroider.The pictures that accompanied the story are fantastic. Kam Mak, the illustrator, did an incredible job with the detail and realism of the illustrations.The pictures help to reinforce the plot as well as create an nice pause from the reading every page. For the pictures alone, I recommend this story very highly. The only problem with they story itself is the ambiguity of the names. The author might have done that to allow the audience to see themselves as the characters but it made the story a little less fluid.Other than the names, the story was great.
May 14, 2018
This, seemingly, authentic Chinese retelling of the traditional fairy tale was beautifully done. The author stayed true to things traditionally thought of as Chinese (farmer v. merchant, dragon v. beast, etc.) and the pictures were beautiful.
January 10, 2017
This is a lovely romantic retelling of the Beauty and the Beast that is based on a traditional Chinese folktale. Compelling storytelling with lush illustrations will make this a popular read aloud.
November 3, 2025
The Dragon Prince by Laurence Yep was a different take on the traditional story of Beauty and the Beast. This version follows a Chinese family whose father is a poor farmer. Seven, who is the youngest daughter, sacrifices herself to marry a dragon in order to save her father. Seven then realizes that the dragon isn't just a dragon, it is a shapeshifter who is a prince in disguise, who fall in love after spending some time together. The focus of this book is mainly on the importance of inner beauty and family loyalty.
The illustrator, Kam Mak, did a great job of including so much Chinese culture into the images. The illustrations do a great job in reflecting traditional Chinese art, clothing, architecture, and details. It features images that blend fantasy and realism, utilizing bright colors. Although it is set in a Chinese cultural context, it incorporates classic fairy tale elements.
I found this book in my professor's shelf of traditional literature.
This book can be used to create a comparison of story elements to other versions using a venn diagram or a story map. Also, a discussion of how the different versions align and adapt to different cultures. They could also rewrite a scene from the story and see how much the story would change, which characters would be involved, and how the outcomes would change. I would use this book with somewhat older students only because it is a little longer, but I would read it to younger students as well and create a simpler version of the venn diagram.
The illustrator, Kam Mak, did a great job of including so much Chinese culture into the images. The illustrations do a great job in reflecting traditional Chinese art, clothing, architecture, and details. It features images that blend fantasy and realism, utilizing bright colors. Although it is set in a Chinese cultural context, it incorporates classic fairy tale elements.
I found this book in my professor's shelf of traditional literature.
This book can be used to create a comparison of story elements to other versions using a venn diagram or a story map. Also, a discussion of how the different versions align and adapt to different cultures. They could also rewrite a scene from the story and see how much the story would change, which characters would be involved, and how the outcomes would change. I would use this book with somewhat older students only because it is a little longer, but I would read it to younger students as well and create a simpler version of the venn diagram.
February 21, 2020
The Dragon Prince written by Laurence Yep is a chinese beauty and the beast tale.
Seven, is the oldest of her father's seven daughters. Their father is a poor farmer who encounters a small water serpent who turns into a large dragon. The dragon threatened to kill the farmer unless he is able to marry one of his daughters. The only daughter that accepts this challenge is seven. She is then away with the dragon and falls in love with him. Her sister, who is jealous of her life, tries to kill Seven and take her place but her husband finds her after a long search. They live happily ever after.
In this story it would be very engaging to have students read multiple versions of the Beauty and the Beast story and have them compare and contrast literary elements. The story also can also be used to show how characters actions propel the plot forward.
Seven, is the oldest of her father's seven daughters. Their father is a poor farmer who encounters a small water serpent who turns into a large dragon. The dragon threatened to kill the farmer unless he is able to marry one of his daughters. The only daughter that accepts this challenge is seven. She is then away with the dragon and falls in love with him. Her sister, who is jealous of her life, tries to kill Seven and take her place but her husband finds her after a long search. They live happily ever after.
In this story it would be very engaging to have students read multiple versions of the Beauty and the Beast story and have them compare and contrast literary elements. The story also can also be used to show how characters actions propel the plot forward.
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November 6, 2016Title (italicize): The Dragon Prince: A Chinese Beauty and the Beast Tale
Author: Laurence Yep
Illustrator (if separate from author): Kam Mak
Genre: Non-European Folk tale
Theme(s): family, love, jealousy
Opening line/sentence (type directly from text): “Once there was a poor old farmer with seven daughters”
Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words): This story tells the tale of the prized 7th daughter of a poor farmer finding a snake that turns into a dragon and demands to be married to a daughter. Only the 7th daughter is brave and kind enough to go away with him and it turns out he is a beautiful prince. When she returns her sister gets greedy and tries to kill her but an old lady finds her and eventually, so does her prince.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1 (cut & paste):
Karen Morgan (Booklist, July 1997 (Vol. 93, No. 21))
A small, harmless water serpent that is saved from death by a young teen changes into an immense dragon and threatens a poor farmer's life. The farmer's only chance lies in convincing one of his seven daughters to marry the dragon. Readers familiar with fairy tales may guess that the youngest and prettiest daughter, who was the serpent's savior, will agree to the marriage to save her father. In this Chinese variant of "Beauty and the Beast," dragon and girl soar into the night sky and then plunge into a deep sea, where the girl's courage and character are tested again before she discovers that her future husband is a handsome human and ruler of the sea kingdom. After spending some time in her husband's kingdom, she visits her family's home, where both her inner and her outward strength are further tested. Mak's illustrations dramatically combine realism and fantasy. The suspense of the story and the charm of its language should appeal to readers of different ages. A good choice for reading aloud. Category: Middle Readers. 1997, HarperCollins, $14.95 and $14.89. Gr. 4-6, younger for reading aloud.
(PUBLISHER: HarperCollins (New York ;) (London:), PUBLISHED: 1997.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2 (cut & paste):
Betsy Hearne (The Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books, December 1997 (Vol. 51, No. 4))
It would be fascinating to find out how much Yep has adapted this tale from the Chinese source, and how much that source might have been influenced by non-Asian versions of "Beauty and the Beast." Here daughter Seven is kind to a garden snake, which turns into a dragon and demands her father's life or one of his daughters in marriage. Only Seven agrees, whereupon the dragon flies with her through the air, dives into his undersea world, and transforms into a handsome prince; the two live happily until Seven pines for home. During her visit there, sister Three exchanges clothes with her and pushes her into the river, substituting herself for Seven. The prince is perceptive enough not to be fooled and eventually tracks down Seven through her beautiful embroidery sold at the market by the old woman who rescued her from the river. The deep-hued, velvet-textured, full-page paintings, most of which face an equally full page of text, are framed in white and centrally focused on photorealistic main characters. And if ever there was a photogenic dragon, this is it, with fiery visage and golden scales radiating charisma and reflected in the fine tracery of Yep's description ("It was a face of terror and a face of beauty. It was a face of magic"). Not only does the Beast steal the show, as always, but he does the rescuing, so stimulate some thought by reading this in company with the many contrasting picture-book versions that feature Beauty as journeying savior. R--Recommended. (c) Copyright 1997, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 1997, HarperCollins, 32p, $14.89 and $14.95. Ages 5-8 yrs.
(PUBLISHER: HarperCollins (New York ;) (London:), PUBLISHED: 1997.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews (3-4 sentences in your own words): These reviews really bring lots of attention to the photos within the story and all they have to offer. Though both do a general retelling of the stories, but again the pictures really steal the show.
Evaluation of Literary Elements (3-4 sentences in your own words): Once again, the pictures are mesmerizing and really bring the story to life. The dragon is beautiful and shows that he is truly royal through the colors used. The kingdom under the water is beautiful, and so realistic looking that the illustrations actually look like pictures. The pictures take up a majority of the pages, really drawing the reader into them and look at all the detail they have to offer.
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words):
I would use this book during a fairytale unit. I would show the children this version of beauty and the beast compared to their version they know (most likely the Disney version). The children can then write their own versions of the same general storyline.
Author: Laurence Yep
Illustrator (if separate from author): Kam Mak
Genre: Non-European Folk tale
Theme(s): family, love, jealousy
Opening line/sentence (type directly from text): “Once there was a poor old farmer with seven daughters”
Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words): This story tells the tale of the prized 7th daughter of a poor farmer finding a snake that turns into a dragon and demands to be married to a daughter. Only the 7th daughter is brave and kind enough to go away with him and it turns out he is a beautiful prince. When she returns her sister gets greedy and tries to kill her but an old lady finds her and eventually, so does her prince.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1 (cut & paste):
Karen Morgan (Booklist, July 1997 (Vol. 93, No. 21))
A small, harmless water serpent that is saved from death by a young teen changes into an immense dragon and threatens a poor farmer's life. The farmer's only chance lies in convincing one of his seven daughters to marry the dragon. Readers familiar with fairy tales may guess that the youngest and prettiest daughter, who was the serpent's savior, will agree to the marriage to save her father. In this Chinese variant of "Beauty and the Beast," dragon and girl soar into the night sky and then plunge into a deep sea, where the girl's courage and character are tested again before she discovers that her future husband is a handsome human and ruler of the sea kingdom. After spending some time in her husband's kingdom, she visits her family's home, where both her inner and her outward strength are further tested. Mak's illustrations dramatically combine realism and fantasy. The suspense of the story and the charm of its language should appeal to readers of different ages. A good choice for reading aloud. Category: Middle Readers. 1997, HarperCollins, $14.95 and $14.89. Gr. 4-6, younger for reading aloud.
(PUBLISHER: HarperCollins (New York ;) (London:), PUBLISHED: 1997.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2 (cut & paste):
Betsy Hearne (The Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books, December 1997 (Vol. 51, No. 4))
It would be fascinating to find out how much Yep has adapted this tale from the Chinese source, and how much that source might have been influenced by non-Asian versions of "Beauty and the Beast." Here daughter Seven is kind to a garden snake, which turns into a dragon and demands her father's life or one of his daughters in marriage. Only Seven agrees, whereupon the dragon flies with her through the air, dives into his undersea world, and transforms into a handsome prince; the two live happily until Seven pines for home. During her visit there, sister Three exchanges clothes with her and pushes her into the river, substituting herself for Seven. The prince is perceptive enough not to be fooled and eventually tracks down Seven through her beautiful embroidery sold at the market by the old woman who rescued her from the river. The deep-hued, velvet-textured, full-page paintings, most of which face an equally full page of text, are framed in white and centrally focused on photorealistic main characters. And if ever there was a photogenic dragon, this is it, with fiery visage and golden scales radiating charisma and reflected in the fine tracery of Yep's description ("It was a face of terror and a face of beauty. It was a face of magic"). Not only does the Beast steal the show, as always, but he does the rescuing, so stimulate some thought by reading this in company with the many contrasting picture-book versions that feature Beauty as journeying savior. R--Recommended. (c) Copyright 1997, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 1997, HarperCollins, 32p, $14.89 and $14.95. Ages 5-8 yrs.
(PUBLISHER: HarperCollins (New York ;) (London:), PUBLISHED: 1997.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews (3-4 sentences in your own words): These reviews really bring lots of attention to the photos within the story and all they have to offer. Though both do a general retelling of the stories, but again the pictures really steal the show.
Evaluation of Literary Elements (3-4 sentences in your own words): Once again, the pictures are mesmerizing and really bring the story to life. The dragon is beautiful and shows that he is truly royal through the colors used. The kingdom under the water is beautiful, and so realistic looking that the illustrations actually look like pictures. The pictures take up a majority of the pages, really drawing the reader into them and look at all the detail they have to offer.
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words):
I would use this book during a fairytale unit. I would show the children this version of beauty and the beast compared to their version they know (most likely the Disney version). The children can then write their own versions of the same general storyline.
November 26, 2019
A beautiful woman is "rewarded" for her obedience. Man, these fairytales do not age well.
September 23, 2010
This is a wonderful Chinese version of the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. The story told extremely well and the illustrations are elegant and luminous.
The seventh sister agrees to marry a serpent to spare her father's life. He reveals himself as a prince before allowing her to visit her family. She is betrayed by a sister and disappointed in her prince. Eventually he finds and rescues her.
The characters are better developed than in most fairy tales. The setting is exotic and the plot or the story line diverges slightly from the original. The lesson for this story is the compelling literary elemnt and is similar (self sacrifice will lead to personal gratification, don't judge a book by its cover)
Compelling passages and illustrations:
Amusing dialogue as the daughters come out to call him for dinner and he says that he is about to be the dragon's dinner.
When the dragon flies off with seven over the rooftops at night, so beautiful.
"The eye sees what it should but the heart sees what it will"
The picture of seven embroidering shoes conveys many emotions
Questions:
What do you think Seven means when she says, "the eye sees,,,,"
What would it be like trading the family Seven has for a life with a Dragon Prince?
Three threatens her family with the wrath of the dragon, what would you do if faced with that decision?
Is the old woman symbolic or remind you of something? If so, what?
This is definitely worth while for teaching in a classroom. Although the lessons are a little more nuanced and the teaching moments are not as obvious, the focus on family and beauty is more worthy than some of the other versions.
The seventh sister agrees to marry a serpent to spare her father's life. He reveals himself as a prince before allowing her to visit her family. She is betrayed by a sister and disappointed in her prince. Eventually he finds and rescues her.
The characters are better developed than in most fairy tales. The setting is exotic and the plot or the story line diverges slightly from the original. The lesson for this story is the compelling literary elemnt and is similar (self sacrifice will lead to personal gratification, don't judge a book by its cover)
Compelling passages and illustrations:
Amusing dialogue as the daughters come out to call him for dinner and he says that he is about to be the dragon's dinner.
When the dragon flies off with seven over the rooftops at night, so beautiful.
"The eye sees what it should but the heart sees what it will"
The picture of seven embroidering shoes conveys many emotions
Questions:
What do you think Seven means when she says, "the eye sees,,,,"
What would it be like trading the family Seven has for a life with a Dragon Prince?
Three threatens her family with the wrath of the dragon, what would you do if faced with that decision?
Is the old woman symbolic or remind you of something? If so, what?
This is definitely worth while for teaching in a classroom. Although the lessons are a little more nuanced and the teaching moments are not as obvious, the focus on family and beauty is more worthy than some of the other versions.
May 2, 2013
I really like the story of beauty and the beast that I have heard since I was little, Western version. I was curious to see the difference in the Chinese Beauty & the Beast Tale. There is lot of difference between the two, practically everything is different besides the fact that there is a beauty and there is a beast. Which is great because it is unique and not just a rendition. This Chinese folkloric children’s book would be great for the age 5-8. This book would be great to have to use in a lesson on comparing multicultural fairy tales. There are so many differences and also similarities that make this a great book for that type of lesson.
The Illustrations are realistic, and beautifully done. This is why I choose this book for my multicultural book review because of the bright colors and realistic illustrations. As well as curiosity in the comparisons of the two stories. The vocabulary in this book is high quality, and go along great with the illustrations to tell this story. I didn’t like that the daughters were named One-Seven, thought this made the story seem less realistic. I do like in this tale that the prince does not have a curse but instead can turn into a dragon whenever he wants, and that they live underwater. That is just plain cool.
The Illustrations are realistic, and beautifully done. This is why I choose this book for my multicultural book review because of the bright colors and realistic illustrations. As well as curiosity in the comparisons of the two stories. The vocabulary in this book is high quality, and go along great with the illustrations to tell this story. I didn’t like that the daughters were named One-Seven, thought this made the story seem less realistic. I do like in this tale that the prince does not have a curse but instead can turn into a dragon whenever he wants, and that they live underwater. That is just plain cool.
May 13, 2021
Taken from my blog,
Nine Pages
.
Kam Mak’s illustrations for this Chinese Beauty and the Beast type story are stunning. This book is worth it for the photographic realism and vibrant jewel tones of the illustrations alone, but, well, I’m a sucker for folk tales, but I enjoy this one. I especially enjoy this one because Seven is not asked to fall in love with the Beast (or Dragon). She is asked to marry him, yes, but her kindness not her love—no true love’s kiss—gives him reason to choose to present as a handsome male prince. The prince here too is not some previously wicked and now cursed soul, but a man who makes his own choices and goes on his own quest for a wife. He is given agency—a lot of agency, so much more than de Beaumont’s or Disney’s Beasts. He searches for his wife when he begins to suspect that her wicked sister is not his beloved wife as she pretends; Seven believes her prince is unable to distinguish her from her sister and takes this as proof that he does not love her, so she has not sought him but rather found a new life for herself through her own skills. I’ve read this story several times. I still enjoy it.
Kam Mak’s illustrations for this Chinese Beauty and the Beast type story are stunning. This book is worth it for the photographic realism and vibrant jewel tones of the illustrations alone, but, well, I’m a sucker for folk tales, but I enjoy this one. I especially enjoy this one because Seven is not asked to fall in love with the Beast (or Dragon). She is asked to marry him, yes, but her kindness not her love—no true love’s kiss—gives him reason to choose to present as a handsome male prince. The prince here too is not some previously wicked and now cursed soul, but a man who makes his own choices and goes on his own quest for a wife. He is given agency—a lot of agency, so much more than de Beaumont’s or Disney’s Beasts. He searches for his wife when he begins to suspect that her wicked sister is not his beloved wife as she pretends; Seven believes her prince is unable to distinguish her from her sister and takes this as proof that he does not love her, so she has not sought him but rather found a new life for herself through her own skills. I’ve read this story several times. I still enjoy it.
February 21, 2012
Based on a traditional Chinese folktale, Yep and Mak's The Dragon Prince is definitely an interesting variation on the "animal bridegroom" motif perhaps best known from Beauty and the Beast. Though the details are quite different from Western versions of the story, the general structure is certainly identifiable, though there are several interesting diversions. The enchanted prince of the tale is not the victim of a curse, but rather takes the dragon form as a means for testing true goodness. Also, there is an imposter thread with one of the jealous sisters attempting to take the "Beauty" character's (Seven) place as the prince's wife.
That said, I find the French tale to be a richer, more complex, and ultimately more entertaining story. While Kam Mak's illustrations are quite beautiful, unless one is interested in comparing similar tales from around the world or just digs anything Beauty and the Beast-related I'd probably give other fairy-tale books higher priority.
That said, I find the French tale to be a richer, more complex, and ultimately more entertaining story. While Kam Mak's illustrations are quite beautiful, unless one is interested in comparing similar tales from around the world or just digs anything Beauty and the Beast-related I'd probably give other fairy-tale books higher priority.
September 30, 2017
I absolutely loved this book! I'm not a big Beauty & the Beast fan (although I have nothing against it), but I am a big fan of reinterpretations of class fairy tales, and boy, did this book ever fit the bill! I read this book for a class, so the first thing we did was read the original Beauty & the Beast (whew! does it ever differ from the Disney classic!) and then bring in our own adaptations. I was pleased as punch to see that there was a Chinese version of Beauty & the Beast available at my library, so I checked it out as quickly as I could. Happily, the book lived up to my internal hype. The book description says that it is based both on the classic Beauty & the Beast tale and Chinese mythology, and while I am no expert in either, the book seemed to ring true to both (in my humbly inexperienced opinion). The pictures were also glorious, with bold color choices and wondrous art quality. I loved it, and would absolutely recommend it.
May 13, 2015
Beauty and the Beast tales are a common theme in many cultures. This one has its own variations, in that the Beauty is no mere dutiful daughter but a skilled artisan whose work is as lovely as she is.
The Beast is a handsome prince in disguise—no surprise there. But he himself is put to the test when his wife becomes less than a beauty.
This poses a question. Is the prince wrong for initially ignoring his wife’s change in looks? Does it show devotion that he accepts her even when she’s ugly or does it display a lack of fidelity to accept one woman over another? This factor raises this version above the usual tale since it gives the handsome prince more to do than merely suffer his own fate.
Charming, beautifully illustrated in vivid color and realistic portraits, The Dragon Prince is a delight for the mind and eye.
The Beast is a handsome prince in disguise—no surprise there. But he himself is put to the test when his wife becomes less than a beauty.
This poses a question. Is the prince wrong for initially ignoring his wife’s change in looks? Does it show devotion that he accepts her even when she’s ugly or does it display a lack of fidelity to accept one woman over another? This factor raises this version above the usual tale since it gives the handsome prince more to do than merely suffer his own fate.
Charming, beautifully illustrated in vivid color and realistic portraits, The Dragon Prince is a delight for the mind and eye.
March 22, 2010
A chinese family makes a living by working on their farm. But the seventh child doesnt have to do the dirty work outside. She gets to do her work inside, so all of her sisters are jealous especially the third sister(the seventh daughter is also the prettiest). One day a dragon comes to the farm and says that one of the farmer's daughters has to go with him or the farmer shall be the dragons next meal. None of them agree to the dragon except the seventh daughter. The dragon and the girl go on a ride and she ends up with a surprise that changes her life!
I think this book has a great story and I wasnt expecting one of the parts.
I would reccomend this book to anyone who likes fairytales.
I think this book has a great story and I wasnt expecting one of the parts.
I would reccomend this book to anyone who likes fairytales.
February 13, 2018
I can't really speak for the cultural accuracy of this book, but I do trust the name of Laurence Yep. They have done quite a few children's books I've loved, so I am willing to bet they did their best to get things accurate with the artist.
As for the story itself, it's you're pretty standard re-imagining of Beauty and the Beast. This is more in line with the original telling of the tale, where there's a good bit of peril and treachery for the heroine to overcome.
I'd say that, if you're looking for a book with a bit of cultural education, this isn't a good fit. It doesn't teach all that much, and the culture it shows is long since gone. Stick to books in a more modern era. But it all you want is something a bit different from your standard fairy tale, this would be a nice change.
As for the story itself, it's you're pretty standard re-imagining of Beauty and the Beast. This is more in line with the original telling of the tale, where there's a good bit of peril and treachery for the heroine to overcome.
I'd say that, if you're looking for a book with a bit of cultural education, this isn't a good fit. It doesn't teach all that much, and the culture it shows is long since gone. Stick to books in a more modern era. But it all you want is something a bit different from your standard fairy tale, this would be a nice change.
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February 1, 2012This book was an interesting twist on the traditional fairy tale as the Chinese culture influence much of the story line and imagery. The naming of the daughters by number (the order in which they were born) shows the lack of importance of each as an individual. In addition, the moral of the story that love is viewed through the heart, not the eyes. Even though Three tried to steal the dragon prince from Seven, the dragon prince was not fooled by the superficial feelings of Three. I think this book is valuable to see the influence of different cultures on the traditional fairy tale in addition to showing a different style of moral lessons.
July 9, 2013
A dragon threatens to eat a man unless one of his daughters marries him. His youngest accepts and the dragon takes her away. At his castle, he changes into a prince and they marry and live lavishly. She gets homesick and the prince lets her go back to visit. Her sister is jealous and pushes her into a river, taking her place. The prince notices and goes to look for his wife. Seven (the wife) ended up with an old woman, sad that her family betrayed her. The prince finds Seven after seeing her weaving shoes the old woman was selling. All three return to his palace.
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March 21, 2012This book has pretty illustrations and good language. The message is that good character wins out in the end and that greed and selfishness won't get you very far. I like this book but there are a lot of words on each page, which I think is sometimes not very good for children. It requires that they keep their attention focused on one page without anything new to look at. However, the story is pretty interesting and I could see myself re-reading it to a child several times.
May 25, 2012
I have 2 criticisms of the story--how could the prince not realize right away that Three was impersonating his wife Seven and why didn't the family suffer more for going along with Three's deception? Seems to me that Seven was a little too kind-hearted and while I enjoyed the story, I would have preferred if she was more "spirited" and showed some willingness to fight for her life and her love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2010
I love finding B&B stories from other cultures. This one was almost a combination of Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella. Also liked the double "beasts"- where both Beauty and the Beast must see beyond transformations. Rich looking illustrations by Kam Mak but I felt a jarring between the almost cartoonish dragon and the hyper realistic human figures. Backgrounds were very simple.
August 26, 2016
A major departure from the classic French Beauty and the Beast tale. Like the traditional tale, the heroine sees through the outer façade of the beast and declares her love for him before his transformation, but the Prince also has to see through the façade of his own beast--the third sister--and realize that she is not his one true love. Interesting twist.
November 29, 2014
While not a strict retelling of the Beauty and the Beast tale, The Dragon Prince, by Laurence Yep, is a delightful Chinese version of the story. Curiously, despite coming from the Chinese tradition, the illustrations are neither as lush, nor as numerous as desired. The memorable theme in The Dragon Prince is, "The eye sees what it will, but the heart sees what it should."
March 25, 2016
The pictures are very beautiful and help tell the story just as much as the story itself. A Chinese farmer has seven daughters, and the youngest named Seven cooks, cleans, does embroidery, and is all kindness. The third child, named Three, is always jealous of Seven and tries to cheat her out of her riches.
March 23, 2008
This is like a Chinese version of Cinderella. We found it at the library when Joey was in his "dragon" phase, and he liked this book, even though there was LOTS of text. The illustrations are stunningly beautiful, and the moral of the story is that it's important to be courageous and true.
November 28, 2010
A short & sweet tale of a girl from a poor family who agrees to marry a dragon. The narrative is a bit typical of stories packaged for a Western audience, I think, though. Kam Mak's illustrations are gorgeous.
April 11, 2013
Beautiful illustrations and story about truth and beauty. We used this as a supplement to our study of ancient China. My five and six year old boys were so inspired that they immediately began working on their own Chinese dragon illustrations after we read this book.
December 5, 2013
I think this book is really beautifully illustrated and I love this tale, which I learned from a storyteller before I actually read the book. It is easily adapted to a play structure or for a single storyteller if you're up for it!
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