Dragon Soup

by Arlene Williams, Sally J. Smith (Illustrator)

A moving story set in in a fantasy fairy tale land that illustrates the value of a "win-win" solution to life's obstacles. When Tonlu's father cannot pay his great debt to the village merchant, Tonlu must become the man's bride. Tonlu cannot bear the thought of leaving her home and marrying the cruel merchant, and resolves to pay the debt by climbing the treacherous mountain steps and stealing some of the cloud dragons' vast treasure. Full color.

Genres: Dragons, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 19, 1996

Reviews

[Jo-Chan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a little dumbfounded by all the high ratings. The story is predictable and not very interesting. I understand that this book was written in 1996, but neither of the author or illustrator are Southeast Asian yet that's what is being portrayed here. The name Tonlu isn't even an Asian name. Also, the dragons are clearly WESTERN dragons (with all the fire breathing and wings) which is NOT what Asian dragons look like. If you like dragons, fine you'll probably like this book. If you want a book of how someone not part of a culture writing inaccurately about it, this is a great example.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous illustrations and a wonderful story of compromise.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Dragons, treasure, and adventure... this book is overly-flowing with them. The protagonist, a young Asian girl named Tonlu, must find a way to pay a family debt to avoid becoming the bride of a village merchant. She climbs to the clouds to the land of dragons to steal famed treasure. Her bravery and craftiness help her to not only to pay the debt, but to gain unlikely friends. The illustrations are vivid and reflective of the action-packed story line.

Audience: grades 2-4, independent readers at transitional level.

Uses: Good example of mythology. Good for discussion of personification and irony. Would work well with story sequencing. Could be used for text and illustration style imitation.

Additional notes: The setting is in an Asian country and revolves around Asian folklore. Tonlu's family seems emotionally stable, but in financial peril. Good example of strong female protagonist.

[Carolyn at Bloomers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated book shows how a young girl saves her own destiny. She wants to preserve her life in the mountains, but her father has gotten into debt and must choose between giving up his farm or giving her to an old man who wants to marry her. She goes to the cave of the cloud dragons, and is caught trying to steal a pearl. She cleverly gets out of trouble by appeasing the two dragons. She settles an argument so everyone wins, including her.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book with incredible illustrations, and was one I often read when I was younger. The story is very good, and the artwork creates a new way to bring fantasy and fairy tales to life. I garantee that you will fall in love with book if you read it!!!!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book with wonderdul illustrations. The story is good, brings fantasy and fairy tales to life.

[Julia Jasztal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because I liked the dragons.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever!