Book description from Goodreads: “An unforgettable lyrical picture book that celebrates biracial identity from the award-​winning author of Paper The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist.

Lean in close,
my darling bao bei,
and I will whisper
a most precious secret
about a powerful magic
that lives inside you.

Brought to life with lavish and ornate illustrations, The Truth About Dragons follows a young child on a journey guided by his mother’s bedtime storytelling. He quests into two very different forests, as his two grandmothers help him discover two different, but equally enchanting, truths about dragons.

Eastern and Western mythologies coexist and enrich each other in this warm celebration of mixed cultural identity.”

Need some reviews of The Truth About Dragons?

• Artemis Crescent
• Craft Cycle
• Every Day Is Like Wednesday
• Kirkus
• Quill & Quire
• School Library Journal

Reading Activities inspired by The Truth About Dragons:

• Before Reading–From looking at the front cover: 
  • What do you notice about the two different dragons on the cover? How are they alike or different?
  • Why do you think the title is The Truth About Dragons? What kind of truth might the book explore?
  • What do the trees, sky, and mountains in the background suggest about where the story takes place?
  • What feelings do the colors on the cover give you?
  • What questions would you like to ask the author or illustrator before reading the book?
• After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
  • What are the two worlds the boy travels between? How does he feel in each one?
  • How do the two dragons reflect different parts of the boy’s identity?
  • What does the fire inside represent for him?
  • Have you ever felt like you had to choose between two sides of yourself? What helped you figure it out?
  • Why do you think the author chose dragons to tell this story?
  • What does the ending suggest about the boy’s journey and how he sees himself now?
• Dragon Duo Drawing: The boy meets two dragons, one from each of his worlds. Draw your own version of each dragon. What colors, powers, or personalities do they have? Add labels or speech bubbles to bring them to life.
• Bridge Between Worlds: The story shows a bridge between the boy’s two worlds. Fold a piece of paper in half. On one side, draw or write about one part of your identity, like your family, culture, or language. On the other side, draw or write about another. Then create a bridge in the middle that connects them. What do you carry across?
• Dragon Flame Poem: “There’s a fire that burns inside me,” the boy says. Write a short poem about your own inner flame. What makes you strong, creative, or unique? You can shape your poem like a flame or a dragon tail if you want.
• Truth Teller Mask: The dragons help the boy speak his truth. Make your own truth-​teller mask with paper, string, or a paper plate. Use colors and patterns that show who you are. On the back, write one sentence about something true and important to you.
• Family Fire Storytime: Sit with a family member and ask them to tell you a story from their past, something they’ve never shared before. Then retell it in your own words, adding dragon-​like details to turn it into a magical tale.
• Books, Books, and More Books! Check out these real-​world picture books about identity, culture, and embracing all the parts of who you are: