East Dragon vs West Dragon (Dragons Day 4)

 

Two giant, imposing dragons confront their greatest fears…each other!

East Dragon and West Dragon live on opposite sides of the world. They have never met—and they like it that way. East Dragon is sure that West Dragon’s huge wings mean that he is very, very strong. West Dragon fears that East Dragon’s long, swishy tail means that he is very, very fierce. But when some meddlesome knights start a riff between their two kingdoms, East Dragon and West Dragon are finally forced to come face-to-fire-breathing-face. Might the two dragons finally discover they aren’t so different after all?

Detail-rich illustrations combine with a lighthearted, inspiring message to create a playful twist on the classic theme of fierce, fearless dragons. This story of friendship across cultures begs to be read again and again!

In an early scene in this book the dragons are hanging out with the Emperor’s people and in the final scene the dragons are hanging out with the King’s people. This comparison is timely because as The Year of the Dragon approaches it is the time to compare Eastern dragons and Western dragons.

Eastern dragons:

• are smaller than Western dragons

• are long-bodied like snakes

• have no wings

• have long bodies

• two horns for ears

• breath clouds of air

• live near water

• are believed to control the weather

• are kind wise friends to human beings

• are auspicious and lucky

• represent peace, prosperity and authority.

Western dragons:

• are reptilian  lizard-like animals

• fire-breathing

• scaly green bodies

• are fierce and 

• red wings

• roar

• live in caves

• are greedy and will eat anything

• are evil and malevolent

• hoard gold

• were particularly active in the Middle Ages, when brave knights challenged them to battle.

These differences mean that whatever picture books you choose to read with children, the dragons will likely fall into one of these dragon types depending upon their behaviour.