The Truth AboutDragons by Julie Leung with illustrations by Hanna Cha is a delightfullyimagined story that delves into the mysteries of dragon lore from both Europeanand Asian cultures through the eyes of a young biracial boy. 
Inspired by hismother’s bedtime story, the child enters into a quest through an elaborateworld of hobgoblins and will-o’-the wisps. His search brings him to a wisewoman who feeds him sugar cookies and apple cider while she regales him with atale of dragons—fearsome and fire-breathing, who hoard gold in cavesunderground. “And that would be one truth about dragons.”
 This is only half thejourney, his mother says. For in another forest of towering green bamboo, theyoung traveler will encounter nine-tailed foxes, converse with a white rabbitand come upon a palace overlooking a waterfall. There he finds another wisewoman who serves him chrysanthemum tea in delicate porcelain and tells himdragons are majestic creatures who rule in the skies and rivers and command therain to fall. “And that would also be a truth about dragons.” 
Leung’s two narratives weave a spell of enchantment all bythemselves, but the true essence of this heart-warming story is revealed in themother’s final words.  She reminds herchild that many adventurers have only one story, but he has both worlds toexplore. 
This celebration of dual cultures is beautifully enhanced by theelaborate illustrations that pair rich colors with vivid detail to create atapestry worthy of this extraordinary tale.
Here is a splendid book (CaldecottHonor winner and Asian Pacific American Award for Literature winner) thatshares the joy to be found in discovering diverse cultures.Highly recommendedfor home and school libraries.