Just So Stories

Walker Books

December 2024

ISBN13:9781761601446

Australia RRP:$17.99

New Zealand RRP:$19.99

What a series this is and how loved it has been by so many over the years! I loved Dragonkeeper the first time I read it over 20 years ago and have re-read it more than once. When I read and reviewed Bronze Bird Tower [#6 in the series] back in 2012, we were hopeful of more dragonish doings to come but not completely sure.

To see it now transformed into a glorious feature film was not even a thought back then but how lucky are we that someone realised what a grand idea it was. Re-reading this gorgeous new movie tie-in edition with its pretty new dress on, I’d almost forgotten how completely engrossing and immersive a narrative this is. And, without doubt, I fell in love all over again with Ping, Danzi and Hua and their incredible and moving quest.

And then to see their beautiful story shared via screen – what joy! Even The Kid, steadfastly insistent that she’s too ‘adult’ now for animated films, enjoyed herself immensely. After all, who doesn’t love a wonderful dragon and a brave small girl who beats all odds?

Ping’s transformative journey from nameless slave girl to proud dragonkeeper, able to wield qi with full control and astonishing results, is the very stuff of legends. As she grows in knowledge of the world, she also grows in knowledge of herself, and her special abilities as a dragonkeeper are revealed slowly but surely.

Countless readers have loved her adventure and followed on with the entire series with gusto. Danzi’s ascerbic wit and wisdom, his quirky dragonish essence not to mention the tricky shape-shifting, his teachings via very Confucian-like one-liners have all entranced us, whether young or old.. He is the Yoda of the dragon world really.

And let’s not forget Hua, humble pet, who has been Ping’s only friend and she his, who repays his human and his dragon with such courageous loyalty that it is an inspiration [and gives rodentia a much better rap than some stories!].

Along the way in this fantasy-adventure, readers will also gain insight into the world of ancient China which was a powerful, beautiful and strange civilisation – like any other, some of it good, some of it not-so-good.

So this really is a complete package: adventure, fantasy, dragons, historical influences, cross-cultural understanding, dragons, loyalty, self-belief, confidence, wisdom, friendships, sacrifice and – did I mention? – dragons. LOVE LOVE LOVE it all over again. No question it’s a 5 🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉 rating for able readers from around 8 years upwards.