Jin Jin the Dragon

Grace Chang's children's book, Jin Jin the Dragon, is a heartwarming tale about identity, as a golden creature seeks to find his. It is an ordinary day in spring when a golden egg by the water hatches. Born is a golden creature who is alone and seeks to belong.

He is told by the fish that because he has scales, he is a fish; so he joins the fish in the water. However, an eagle stops him and tells him that because he has claws, he is an eagle. But when a snake tells him that he is also a snake because of his twisty body, the golden creature becomes confused.

As a result, the creatures name him Jin Jin, meaning 'gold,' and send him off to the Old Turtle and the Wise Crane. Still, on his way, he encounters many other creatures who try to persuade him that he is one of them.

A hare tells him that he is also a hare because they both have emerald eyes. A water buffalo lets him know that because his ears are like the water buffalo's, he is a water buffalo with scales. A deer tells him that he has antlers and therefore is a deer.

The golden creature becomes more confused as he goes and continues on his way to the Old Turtle and the Wise Crane where he can seek the answer to his identity.

Beautifully illustrated by Chang's brother (Chong Chang), the two make a wonderful pair in creating the lovely story of Jin Jin the Dragon. Enchanting, Jin Jin the Dragon is a unique story that teaches a Chinese dragon myth, as well as about belongingness and identity.