• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7

Through the ages, the dragon has been an important symbol for the Chinese. A time of Golden Dragons is the most auspicious possible. In fascinating text and beautiful paintings, Song Nan and Hao Yu Zhang trace the dragon’s history. Perhaps inspired by giant crocodiles, the image of the dragon affects every aspect of life in China, including the marking of dragon years, the flying of dragon kites, and the eating of dragon cakes at dragon boat races.

A splendid introduction to the richness of Chinese culture, this is a book to cherish this special year and for years to come.

Song Nan Zhang's profile page

Hao Yu Zhang's profile page

• Nominated, Silver Birch Award for Non-Fiction

Song Nan Zhang was born in Shanghai. He received a Masters degree from the Beijing Central Institute of Fine Arts, and his paintings have been exhibited in galleries around the world. Song Nan Zhang lives in Montreal. His son, Hao Yu, was born in Beijing and arrived in Montreal with his parents in 1990. He has a journalism degree from Concordia University and has written for the Montreal Gazette. He now lives in London, England, and works for the BBC.

“The fluidity of line and subtle colors … echo centuries of tradition, while the sense of detail gives the work a personal stamp.”
— Publishers Weekly

Praise for A Time of Golden Dragons:

“Song Nan Zhang’s lavish illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to this bounty of dragon lore… a wonderful book … dragon enthusiasts of all ages will be delighted.…”
— The Asian Reporter

“…accurate, colourful, detailed illustrations that allow the reader to visualize and remember the significance of China’s dragon symbols.”
–Calliope