JIN JIN THE DRAGON
From the moment he hatches out of his golden, thousand-year-old egg, Jin Jin has a problem: he doesn't know what kind of creature he is and none of the animals he meets seem to know either. On the advice of his first friends–Fish, Eagle and Snake, Jin Jin sets out to find Old Turtle and Crane, who, he has been told, will help him. As he embarks on his journey Jin Jin gets his name, meets many friendly animals, and learns to read. He also discovers that while he resembles many different animals he's still not quite like any of them. After many adventures Jin Jin's journey comes to a happy end.
Beautifully illustrated in Chinese watercolor, JIN JIN THE DRAGON presents a world that is lush and exotic, while being familiar and welcoming.
Following the story, four additional pages provide an overview of Chinese Characters and the Chinese Dragon, as well as a picture history of 13 Chinese characters that are central to the story.
JIN JIN AND RAIN WIZARD
One morning, as Jin Jin leads his young friends in their early morning Tai Chi, he discovers that he has lost his magical water-breathing power.
How will the little golden dragon give his friends the cooling shower they always look forward to?
Jin Jin consults his mentors, wise Old Turtle and Crane, who finally tease out the truth from him. While enjoying himself at the rice festival the day before–and stuffing himself with his favorite rice delicacies– Jin Jin ended up throwing away his last dish of rice. And rice is more precious than gold! Old Turtle and Crane give Jin Jin a magic gourd, then lead him to an ancient archway, through which Jin Jin travels far back in time.
On a quest to find Rain Wizard, the only one who can help the starving farmers who live in a long-ago, drought-parched land, Jin Jin finally learns how important rice is. Will Jin Jin get back his water-breathing power as well?
