DRAGON KITE OF THE AUTUMN MOON

In a tender story of love and sacrifice, loss is overcome by a sense of wonder. Each year, Tad-Tin and his grandfather have made a special kite to release at nightfall on Kite Day (a Taiwanese tradition) to carry away bad fortune. This year, Grandfather is very ill, and no kite has been made. Instead, Tin resolves to fly his only kite—a beautiful silk-and-bamboo dragon his grandfather made when he was born—a spectacular creation with an extravagant mane of streamers, green-glass lantern eyes, and a wire harp mouth that sings in the wind. Though he grieves to think of losing it, Tin hopes that if he can launch the heavy, long body it will carry away Grandfather's illness. As he tearfully releases the beloved kite into the moonlit sky, it becomes a huge dragon that soars by with a soft, kindly laugh before disappearing. Meanwhile, Grandfather has indeed recovered. The Taiwan-born illustrators (Seven Chinese Brothers, 1990) provide serene landscape panoramas, electrifying scenes of the dragon kite coming to life, and sympathetic characterizations. A lovely book—and unusually appealing story. (Picture book. 5-10)