Dragon folding by Christopher Cheng. Illus. by Lucia Masciullo

A beautiful study of loneliness and friendship awaits all who open this captivating book. We are taken to a street where a Dragon Tree fills the front yard. Children in the street loved to play near it, recognising the place dragons have in the house called Dragon Hall. When his wife was still there, the house was full of warmth as Mrs Singer painted dragons and Mr Singer baked cakes for the children, but since she has gone, the place looks derelict and the dragons in the windowsill have lost their oomph. The people in the street are concerned. Evan knocks on Mr Singer’s door. He has brought a piece of paper and asks Mr Singer to help him fold a dragon.

Mr Singer says no as his finger no longer work and sends Evan off to try folding by himself. He tries and tries, his pieces of paper ending up as discarded balls of paper on the floor and table. Mr Singer gets up to help, and with Evan’s quick fingers and Mr SInger’s guidance the dragons come together. The very next day, Mr Singer decides to make a Dragon Forest Cake and he hums for the first time in a long time. And things in the street have changed. Children play under the Dragon Tree again and eat Mr Singer’s cakes. Dragon Hall looks just like it once did and the folded dragons hang in the tree. The neighbourhood is helping Mr Singer and he is happy; the community is strong and resilient.

A wonderful tale of the power of one small child, and the support of a community shows that people do not have to be alone. Mr Singer opts to take himself out of the friendship the community offers and Evan beguilingly sees a way back.

Lucia Masciullo’s illustrations are inviting. They are redolent of the closeness of a strong community aware that one of their number is not as happy as he was. They are concerned and helpful, but it takes a small boy to get him opening his doors once again. The images of the street, with its cottages and picket fences tell of an inner-city suburb where a mix of people live. Everyone is concerned at the deterioration of the house and Mr Singer and wish to help him back into the friendship and support offered. 

The beautiful pencil and watercolour illustrations create a feeling of a life lived with friends next door, where children played in the streets and everyone knew each other. The beginning and end of the book pictures this warmth, easily lost when one person is removed from the group, and the illustrations show the effects it has on everyone. 

I typed 'origami dragon' into Google and found several sets of instructions of how to make an origami dragon, but it is far more complex than a crane.

Themes: Friendship, Loneliness, Dragons, Origami, Families.

Fran Knight