Roar-Choo!

February 26, 2024
Two symbols of Chinese mythology go beak to snout in this collaboration from Cheng and Santat. Fierce and frightening, Dragon is ready to “take on the world/ with a mighty ROOOOOAAAR”—when its pronouncement becomes a giant sneeze. Kindly, peaceful Phoenix offers a cup of orange ginger tea, encouraging rest, but even as Dragon declines, the “ROOOOOOAAAARR... CHOO”s keep coming. Phoenix’s subsequent attempts to help (“Take this blanket”) and Dragon’s firm rebuttals (“Dragons never quit”) lead to hilarious results. When Dragon’s fiery sneezes finally cause trouble for Phoenix, who “can’t keep going without a little rest,” Dragon embraces a reframe that turns out better for both. Caldecott Medalist Santat’s signature-style art brings Cheng’s dynamic friendship to life in this rollicking readaloud about two folkloric friends learning their own limits—and each other’s. An author’s note concludes. Ages 4–8.

March 1, 2024
Being fierce is hard when you're struggling with a cold. A serpentine scaly green dragon with a flowing orange mane and big teeth and claws fills the page. Our hero explains to Phoenix how tough and terrifying dragons are. "We take on the world with a mighty ROOOOOAAAR...CHOO!" Dragon's sneeze practically blows Phoenix out of the air. Phoenix tries to help by offering orange ginger tea, a blanket, a scarf, and bone broth soup, but Dragon is having none of it. Dragon's attempts at roaring turn into big sneezes, however--until one fiery sneeze causes an inferno that Phoenix must douse. Phoenix, whose energy is now flagging, suggests taking a nap. One more sneeze later, and Phoenix is practically drooping with fatigue as the two friends switch roles. Using a palette of greens, oranges, and golds, Santat depicts the two creatures as larger-than-life cartoons with humorously expressive features. Every page is packed with color and action, but the text feels static in comparison, perhaps because of its small size and lack of variation (a missed opportunity for a typesetting design that matches the exuberance and personality of the two characters). Nevertheless, this simple but entertaining tale will be a pleasure to read aloud. An author's note discusses the significance of the dragon and the phoenix in Chinese mythology. A funny premise, executed with verve. (Picture book. 3-7)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

April 1, 2024
Preschool-Grade 1 Dragon wants to soar and dive and summon thunder with their mighty roars, but every roar keeps ending in a disastrous, flame-filled sneeze. Phoenix urges Dragon to relax, settle in, and sip ginger tea and bone-broth soup until they feel better, but Dragon feels compelled to keep going, sneezing all the way. Eventually, a combination of tiredness and compassion wins out, and both animals admit that sometimes a nap makes everything better. The text is simple, and, while perhaps unexceptional as a story, it has solid messaging on the importance of empathy and self-care. The author's strategic and intentional avoidance of pronouns to foster inclusion is a nice touch. Santat's mixed-media pencil, watercolor, and digital artwork is sumptuous and gloriously recognizable in its rich, dragon-scaled detail and color saturation. His skillful mastery of dramatic angle and shadow make him the ideal illustrator to animate these centuries-old mythical creatures and elevate the friendship tale into a mini-adventure that soars through the Chinese landscape.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from April 5, 2024

PreS-Gr 2-A unique and vibrant story sharing the yin and yang of Dragon and Phoenix. Dragon boasts how dragons are fierce and frightening, how they soar and can summon thunder, but after each sentence, it is clear that Dragon has a terrible cold. Phoenix tries to encourage Dragon to sip some ginger tea, take a scarf, eat bone broth, and rest. But tables turn when suddenly Phoenix starts to feel unwell, too. This is a great bedtime story to encourage little ones to settle down. It also is a perfect read-aloud with young listeners calling out the "Choo!" each time. An author's note explains the centuries-old history of Phoenix and Dragon and how their opposing strengths and weaknesses complement one another. While the pair is traditionally compared to a husband and wife, Cheng chose to not use pronouns "in the hopes that more people can see themselves in this dynamic relationship." Santat provides vibrant, full-page drawings of Dragon and Phoenix that bring these two characters brilliantly to life. VERDICT This picture book is a perfect model of text and illustrations coming together to produce a stunning final product for children. Highly recommended.-Heidi Dechief

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.