Anita and the Dragons

 Anita and the Dragons

Reviewed By  Janet Mawdesley       April 29, 2021

 

Author  Hannah Carmona. Illustrations Anna Cunha,

Distributor:      New South Books
ISBN:                 978-1911373636
Publisher:         Lantana Publishing
Release Date:   April 2021  

Website:    https://www.newsouthbooks.com.au 

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Anita lives in the Dominican Republic and loves her life very much. She often watches the silver dragons that fly overhead as she plays on the roof tiles of her village home.  She imagines she is a ‘princessa’ and the Dragon will not scare her; never ever.

But there comes a day when ‘princessa’ Anita has to face up to the silver dragons and no matter how much she tries not to be fearful, she wonders what her new home a in a country far away will be like. There won’t be an ocean close by nor will they be able to have arroz con leche, let alone the fact that all her loyal subjects will be a sad without her to brighten their day.

Abuela is not coming with them to the new land which makes Anita very sad and no matter how hard she tries to be excited, she is still sad and worried.  Anita puts on her brave face, says a silent goodbye to her beautiful Island and promises to return one day, as she steps resolutely into the belly of the Dragon with her family, to begin her new life full of new adventures.

Anita and The Dragons draws a gentle, emotional picture in words to explain and comfort while the darker tones of the illustrations underscore the sadness that is felt when anyone, not just children, are facing change in a new country. A country that has electric lights, hot water, washing a machines and so much more that life had in the Dominican Republic.

Anita and the Dragons is full of wisdom that could very easily be used for classroom discussion in areas that have migrant intake within their schools, as well as for children who are facing changing schools, States or lifestyles.

Childrens