In this partially illustrated early chapter book, two friends bring a friendly dragon statue to life and must find a way to help her get home. The dragon is alive! When eleven-year-old Hailey and her friend Kyle make a wish on a Chinese lion statue, they accidentally bring to life the dragon statue on top of a Chinese gate.
Scared at first, the kids soon realize that Zhu the dragon means them no harm, and they show the dragon around their city. It's all fun and games until Animal Control gets wind of a wild creature on the loose. The kids have to find a way to send their new friend back home before she's taken away. Key Selling Points
• Two kids make a magical new friend when a wish on a Chinese lion statue comes true in this story about friendship, Chinese culture and, of course, dragons!
• The book introduces and helps to promote an understanding of Chinese culture and traditions, which is timely in light of the increase in anti-Asian racism occurring in North America right now.
• This is a current-day story set in Edmonton's Chinatown. It pays tribute to the city's China Gate, which was gifted to Edmonton by the Chinese Harbin government. Unfortunately, it was taken down to make way for the mass transit line.
• Marty Chan has a special connection to Edmonton's Chinatown, as it's where his parents lived when they first arrived in Edmonton. He has many memories of visiting the China Gate and rubbing the stone ball in the Chinese lion statue's mouth for good luck.
• Features several black-and-white illustrations throughout. Orca Echoes are lively, entertaining short chapter books aimed at readers between ages six and eight. These popular classroom favorites are well suited for social responsibility, growth mindset and character-building programs.
