A young boy learns about the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival from his grandfather when he attends his first dragon boat race.
The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival takes place on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, ushering in the start of summer. On the night before the Dragon Boat Festival, a young boy asks his grandfather how the dragon boat races first began. His grandfather tells him that legend has it that the races started in the ancient time of the Dragon King, when every lake and river had a guardian dragon. Dragons symbolize good luck, and have great power, especially over water and weather.
On race day at the harbor, all the boats have a carved dragon head on their bows. As a final touch, to wake up their team's boat, the boy paints in the dragon's eye. But once the race is underway, their team's dragon boat is in last place. How can they wake their dragon?
"Christina Matula's The Beat of the Dragon Boat...enjoys vivid, impressive illustrations by Nicole Wong as it follows a young boy's education about the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival."
Midwest Book Review
"Libraries seeking additions to collections that include ethnic history and Chinese experience will especially welcome this early introduction to an iconic tradition."
Donovan's Literary Services
"This hardcover edition from Sleeping Bear Press will prove to be of immense and enduring popularity for family, elementary school, and community library Asian mythology/festival/holiday collections for children ages 5-8"
