THE RABBIT AND THE DRAGON KING

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
San Souci, Daniel. 2002. The Rabbit and the Dragon King. Ill. by Eujin K. Neilanry. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press. ISBN 1563978806

2. PLOT SUMMARY
The Rabbit and the Dragon King is a retelling of the Korean Folktale commonly called The Hare’s Liver. In this version retold by Daniel San Souci, the Dragon King who lives under the sea thinks that he is dying. In order to give him hope, the cuttlefish, his doctor, suggests that he eat a rabbit’s heart and he will be cured. The Dragon King sends a turtle off to find a rabbit and bring it back to him. The turtle tricks the rabbit by describing the wonderful land under the sea and getting the rabbit to not be happy with her home. After the rabbit is brought to the Dragon King she tricks him by telling him that she hid her heart because she had such a strong will to live that a lot of other animals wanted her heart as well. The Dragon King releases her back to get the heart and she sends a piece of fruit instead and the Dragon King is healed. In the end, readers can see the morals of being happy with what you have and having the will to live.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
San Souci retells this story in easy to read and understand words without talking down to the audience of children. Readers who have not heard this tale are kept guessing as to how the rabbit will get out of her dilemma. There is a great reference to the folktale of the Tortoise and the Hare as well as information about turtles and their ability to live on land and in the water. For younger readers, the moral might not be so obvious, but older readers will appreciate the lessons that are learned.

The illustrations by Eujn Neianry really capture the undersea life in cartoony paintings with beautiful brushstrokes and dark, deep colors. Readers will delight in the fun facial expressions on each animal and get lost in the beautiful scenery.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: "Her final ploy will remind children of other familiar trickster tales, and storytellers will find attractive material in the repartee, the scheme of events, and the three sturdy characters."

5. CONNECTIONS
Teachers/Librarians can find different versions of this tale to read aloud and have students compare and contrast.

Find a copy of The Tortoise and the Hare and read this aloud to students.

Have students create their own version of the story using different animals or people.

Have students discuss other folktales that that have heard with the same moral/lesson.