Roar-Choo!

Two symbols of Chinese mythology go beak to snout in this collaboration from Cheng and Santat. Fierce and frightening, Dragon is ready to “take on the world/ with a mighty ROOOOOAAAR”—when its pronouncement becomes a giant sneeze. Kindly, peaceful Phoenix offers a cup of orange ginger tea, encouraging rest, but even as Dragon declines, the “ROOOOOOAAAARR... CHOO”s keep coming. Phoenix’s subsequent attempts to help (“Take this blanket”) and Dragon’s firm rebuttals (“Dragons never quit”) lead to hilarious results. When Dragon’s fiery sneezes finally cause trouble for Phoenix, who “can’t keep going without a little rest,” Dragon embraces a reframe that turns out better for both. Caldecott Medalist Santat’s signature-style art brings Cheng’s dynamic friendship to life in this rollicking readaloud about two folkloric friends learning their own limits—and each other’s. An author’s note concludes. Ages 4–8. (Apr.)