The Sons of the Dragon King: A Chinese Legend

by Ed Young

"Behavior not befitting the son of the Dragon King!"
The Dragon King has sent his nine sons out to find their places in the world, but rumors abound -- each son is apparently as aimless as the next! One son does nothing but stare into space, another spends his day frolicking in a stream, another plays with fire, and still another hollers and yells from noon till night. The king realizes it's time to visit each son to see if the rumors are true. What he finds surprises him, for each son has a very special gift that continues to serve and enrich China's culture to this very day.
Two-time Caldecott winner Ed Young brings us a legend of a very special parent recognizing the potential in his very special children, and in doing so, shows how a simple folktale shaped a visible part of Chinese culture.

Genres: Picture Books, China, Dragons, Asia, Fiction, Folk Tales, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 27, 2004

About the author

Ed Young is the illustrator of more than eighty books for children, seventeen of which he has also written. Among his books is the Caldecott Medal winner Lon Po Po, which he both wrote and illustrated. He says that his work is inspired by the philosophy of Chinese painting. He lives in Westchester County, New York.

Reviews

[Christian Wallace]

Personal Reaction- I was very pleased after reading this folktale because it stands as a great representation of Chinese culture and tradition, which is what folktales should do. Just as the story of Mulan represents "filial piety" or honoring ones parents above all else, the story of the Dragon King and his nine sons represents the virtues and assets of Chinese tradition as a country. The ancient Dragon King sends his nine sons to different areas in China to rule, but after a short amount of time he hears rumors of his sons acting recklessly. He then disguises himself and visits his sons only to find that each one of them is only being misunderstood. As the people of china question virtue of the nine sons, the dragon king explains that their virtues are virtues that China needs to be proud of. This story is more of a symbolic representation than anything else. Each of the Dragon King's nine sons represents a characteristic of china such as their honorable military and their unique justice system, or even the traditional music that has lasted throughout the ages.

Purpose/ Use in the classroom- This story fits into a read aloud setting for 2nd and 3rd grade. After the read aloud, the students could be assigned a task to figure out what virtues and beliefs represent our different cultures by asking their family and discovering items or objects. They could then discuss the similarities and importance of common virtues that are shared across cultures. This would work really well if there were diverse students in the classroom because a variety of differences would be brought up and students could compare and contrast diverse perspectives.

Other reactions- Another strength of this book is the complex and advanced language. It would be good to discuss the complex words with children so that they can expand on their vocabulary. Examples include "extraordinarily lazy" and "hawklike eyesight." Furthermore, all of the Chinese names would require concentration and thought to pronounce for the children.

[Misbah]

The Dragon king has nine sons who can't seem to figure out what to do with their lives.
He goes and visits each one and takes note of their strengths.
Using that knowledge, the Dragon King strategically places them in positions that utilize their unique qualities.
The images of the sons are used in those certain areas of everyday life to this day.

[David Smither]

A wonderful watercolor book about a Chinese legend. Excellent for a legends unit or other ELA concepts. Suitable for grades 2-5.
Unique feature: Chinese symbols for each of the nine sons.
Genre: Traditional Literature (Real genre: Myths)

[Don Gubler]

Interesting perspective.

[Megan]

Loved the retelling of this Chinese folk tale. S likes looking at the Chinese symbol for each son. I liked the message that everyone has unique strengths and talents.

[Paul]

Well-told Chinese folktale and well visualized by Young’s brush and ink renderings; his use of cut paper to depict the nine sons is equally commanding.

[Mylinh]

This book is a great book to teach about Chinese ink painting, Chinese fables and Chinese decorations and culture. Would be a great addition to a section on world culture or folk tales.


NY Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, Parents' Choice Award

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-4–According to legend, the Dragon King had nine sons who, after leaving their father's house, seemed to be aimlessly frittering away their days. When the king goes to investigate, he discovers that what appears to be frivolity or laziness is masking a unique talent, and he helps each son to employ his talent productively. For example, because the second son, Chi Wen, constantly stares intently into the distance, he becomes a sentinel. Young then goes on to describe how that young man and his talent are still symbolically reflected in Chinese art and architecture. "And to this day, Chi Wen may still be found at the tops of buildings, a sentinel searching the distance for potential danger." The text is engrossing and includes an informative author's note. The illustrations, rendered in brush, ink, and cut paper, use softly smudged lines for the part of the story focused on the legend, and sharper, cleaner lines augmented by a minimal but dramatically effective use of color for the present-day segments. This elegant addition to folklore shelves should be a first purchase for most libraries.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Heidi-Marie]

Well, I loved the book. I loved the illustrations, especially the use of watercolor. The book had a very Chinese feel instead of like some books that seem cartoonish or babyish. I liked hearing this version of the folktale as well. I had referred to all the dragon/beasts pictures on doors and bronzes and such as Tao Tieh, as that is what I'd learned to call them in my Chinese Culture class. But this book ascribed nine different names to them and their purposes. Whether or not it is the true meaning behind them, I liked them just the same.

However, this would not be a good book for storytelling. It would drag for the children and the pictures would not be as exciting for them. Perhaps on their own and if they have an interest in China. I could book talk it, but I'm already getting too many books in that pile. I may just have to refer to all of the books in the folktale and fairy tale section, and then this one would be covered.

[Jan]

The Dragon King had 9 sons, each with a very different personality. People complained to the Dragon King about his sons for different reasons. One son always hung out in the kitchen, and another constantly stared out into the distance. Like a wise parent, the Dragon King studies each boy's behavior and gives him a job befitting his talents. And even today, the symbols of the 9 sons' names may be seen, each representing his own best skill, throughout all China.

A classic Chinese tale of a father choosing his sons' occupations, by studying them and looking for each one's talents. Ed Young uses brush, ink, and cut paper to create very Chinese-style illustrations for this classic tale. His dragons do not look like the European image of dragons, which makes for a good discussion of how mythological creatures can be imagined by different cultures. Ages 4-10.

[Samantha]

The Dragon King has 9 sons and all appear lazy on the surface, though each has a talent. After investigating rumors delivered to him by townsfolk he finds that each one of his sons is best suited to one task and in serving their individual missions all of his sons bring honor to the kingdom.

I like the way this story was structured. Readers are presented with the facts and benefit from witnessing a fair king decide his sons' fates. The way each son's tale concludes is satisfying and informative.

Illustrations were rendered using brush, ink, and cut paper.

[S.N. Arly]

An interesting exploration into Chinese calligraphy and how some characters developed.

The illustrations are less spectacular than many children's books, mostly black and white Chinese painting, but the story is engaging and the simplicity of the illustrations helps the reader get through the talents and assignments of the Dragon king's nine children. My children particularly liked seeing where we can find these nine dragon sons in Chinese art, architecture, and culture even today.

[Marsha]

Mr. Young shows once again what can be accomplished by a gifted artist with only a few simple strokes of the brush. This fanciful story tells the tale of how a wise father turned his sons’s various troubling gifts to practical use and explains why the images of the Dragon King’s sons continue to decorate Chinese objects today. It’s a very enjoyable tale and a good introduction for younger readers to certain aspects of Chinese culture.

[Angela]

I think it would have meant more to me if I were familiar with the Chinese symbols that the book gives a story to. As it is, though, it is a cute book about finding the calling that is right for you, especially with the help of a wise and patient parent.

The illustrations are pretty spare, but their style added to the authentic, traditional feel of the book.

[Jo Bailey]

This Chinese legend surprised me with some lessons that apparently I needed to revisit...that when a child continually does something I, or others, deem "not befitting," they may be expressing a talent or gift that needs a wise mentor (me!) to make a suggestion of how to use said expression for a fulfilling purpose.

[Katy]

A story of point of view --- how others perceive us, how our parents react to whom we are. A wise dragon king, whose sons are finding their way in the world, find ways to help his children use their strengths to help others. A wise old Dragon King who saw beyond the obvious.

[Starbubbles]

What a great read! Plus, the illustrations were just lovely. I espically loved how Young went ahead and illustrated how each dragon appeared/appears within Chinese culture, and its purpose. It is a great way for children and adults alike to connect today's real life to legend and tradition.

[Elizabeth]

The artwork was beautiful, but I wish there was more of it. And I LOVED that I now know the reason for the dragon like creatures I saw all over China. But the story is a bit dry so I understand why the five year old didn't like it.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer]

A king has to find jobs for each of his sons suitable to their abilities.

[Gretchen]

great story and illustrations fron an old Chinese myth that explain many things in Chinese culture

[Karen]

My 4-year-old couldn't make it through this book. Maybe when she's older?

[Vandy]

gr 1-4

[Wendy Lu]

Cute little book. Liked the bit about the sons' being made happy through both a fulfillment of their potential in a satisfying and helpful way, and their father's acknowledgement of their talents.

[Beverly]

Interesting, different sort of story; great illustrations in brush, ink and cut paper.

[CanadianReader]

Too repetitive a tale and I'm not a big fan of Ed Young's vague impressionistic art.

[Matthew]

This is a piece of China's past that I'm not all that familiar with. This was kind of straightforward, but I enjoyed learning about China all the same. Good book for some Chinese folklore.

[Donalyn]

A visually beautiful book about a beloved Chinese legend.