"Her house smells of cedar chests,
sugar cookies, and apple cider -
a drink she will spoon for you from a cauldron.
And when you ask her about dragons,
she will answer ... "
A Caldecott Honor winner for Illustration, this bedtime story encourages a young child to learn about the magic that is a part of him. To understand it, his mother suggests a journey to learn about dragons. Clothed in cloak and boots, the child sets off on an autumn day into the 'heart of the forest'. Encouraged to speak with those he meets, he should make no promises and take great care.
At a yellow cottage that stands on swampy ground, he will be welcomed by a wise woman with a story to tell about dragons. Her dragons are worthy of fear, breathing fire and wreaking havoc. They love treasure and protect it without fail. After their visit, the child moves forward to a mystical bamboo forest where a white rabbit will help him find his way to a wise woman in a mountaintop palace. Her dragons are rarely seen and have a 'flaming pearl embedded in their chin!' They cause rain to fall.
"In a sitting room that smells of incense and jasmine rice,
she will serve you chrysanthemum tea in a delicate porcelain bowl."
His mother explains that most children have only one story; he is exceptionally lucky to have two. That is the magic! Two grandmothers, two cultures, two dragons, two different worlds ... all waiting to be shared with one grandchild.
Radiant, light-filled watercolor illustrations drew the attention of the Caldecott Committee and will surely draw young readers into this enchanting bedtime story. Oh, those dragons!
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