Boy oh boy oh boy! What a howling-happy day! This morning Allison and Rachel took me to something called the Chinese Dragon Boat Races and Taiwan Festival. By the big river that goes through Pawtucket, a giant puffed-up dragon arch showed where to go. Oh! The people! The smells! The sights! THE NEW FRIENDS TO MAKE! Arooooo! I was so excited my tail didn't stop wagging for a second!
First we went and sat by the water to watch the dragonboat races. Allison - who had explained earlier that dragons are gigantic winged lizards that can breathe fire - pointed the boats out to me. Each boat had the head and tail of a fierce-looking, red-nosed dragon! Luckily, these dragons weren't real, so I wasn't afraid of becoming a toasted wauzer pup. They were actually kind of funny, packed with bunches of humans in thick jackets. The humans had to move the dragons across the water with these flat stick-things. Silly, huh?
See? This guy has a beard like my beard (but mine is black and grey) - and spiky horns!
Here we are posing with another dragon in a big tent. This dragon was made of wood. Smelled like maple tree to me...not so scary! Ruff!
After making friends with some human-pups (their daddy was on one of the dragonboats), I padded after my humans to explore more of the festival. And guess what? I'm not the only dog interested in dragons...
This is Quahog, a very fun new friend with a very different name! What's a "quahog" anyway?
Anyway, after that my humans and I listened to a group of older human-pups beat on these huge drums and then to lots of girl-humans play music. The girl-humans came to Pawtucket all the way from a place called Taiwan, across the sea. They made music with strange instruments, but it was pretty. I also had fun making friends with the dragonboat rowers sitting next to us; those guys didn't mind a bit when I hopped onto their laps (even if they wouldn't give me their chicken salad!). Overall, I really liked the festival, and when we got home I happily curled up for a nap. Rrruff! I knew I'd dream of dragons!
A little later, Allison read me two books with dragons in them. The first is about a bunny who wants a dragon shirt, and the second is about a princess who outsmarts a not-so-nice dragon:
In Rosemary Wells' Max's Dragon Shirt, a simple shopping trip quickly turns into an adventure. Ruby takes her little brother Max to the store to buy him new overalls, but quickly gets distracted by a red dress. Max, a bunny-pup who wants a dragon shirt instead of new overalls, follows his sister around the store without saying much. Except for two words, over and over...
"Dragon shirt," said Max.
Soon Max finds himself alone in a boring dressing room - and wanders off in search of a dragon shirt. What comes next in this comical story will make many human-pups giggle aloud. Let's just say that Ruby learns not to leave Max alone anymore, and that Max finally gets what he wants! Great silly fun, this book is a must-read for little human-pups who stubbornly insist on their own sense of style (as for me, my fur's enough...no shirts or clothes-shopping for this pup!). Allison says that this was one of her favorites growing up, especially the funny colors and sizes of the dresses Ruby tries on. And the ending, which even involves ice cream! Fans of Rosemary Wells will enjoy this classic Max and Ruby tale of sibling interaction. Two paws up and a tail wag for this one! Best for human-pups grades PreK-2.
The Paper Bag Princess, written by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Michael Martchenko, is an unsual picture book fairy tale. As Allison puts it: Princess likes prince. Dragon eats castle and steals prince. Princess runs off to rescue prince - with only a paper bag for a dress. You see, this dragon is not a very nice one. He has terrible manners, bounding up and wolfing down an entire castle like that! Cats are more polite! Woof! Fortunately, this dragon meets his match in the fiesty (if a little dirty) Princess Elizabeth. Would-be princesses and other human-pups who enjoy dragon stories where the dragons do not get killed will like this book! With pictures that bring out the laughable in both the dragon's and Elizabeth's personalities, this story is modern fairy tale with a happy ending won by wits alone. It just goes to show that being mean and hurting people ("violence" Allison calls it) isn't always the answer. And princes who don't appreciate being rescued don't deserve a second thought! You go, girl! Aroooooo! Two paws up, and best for human-pups grades PreK-3.
Now I'm out the door for one last trot around the yard before snuggling up with my stuffed little Clifford and my blanket. Fall is coming; it's getting chilly at night lately! Dragons must feel lucky. Think how nice and toasty they stay in the winter! Wonder if I could make friends with one and persuade it to cuddle? Hmmmm....
Yours in Dragon Dreams,
Sam I Am
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