1
of
1
Powerful Like a Dragon
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 56 ratings, 7 reviews)
Brief Description
In this life-affirming picture book, acclaimed author Christopher Cheng weaves the true story of his family's search for safety in the midst of war, demonstrating the strength of children in the face of the impossible. Young Shu Lok didn't know there was a war until it...
Read More
Format: Hardback
$3999
Unit price
/
Unavailable
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER
Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks
Found a better price? Request a price match
Powerful Like a Dragon
$3999
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Latest News
Books Our Dads Gave Us
For Father’s Day, we asked some of the team to share the books their Dads...
Romance for Spring - Groundbreaking!
Lizzy is sharing her top picks for Spring reads in the romance and romantasy genre...
The ‘Fourth Wing’ graphic novel covers have been revealed
The covers for ‘Fourth Wing, The Graphic Novel: Volume One’ have officially been revealed, with...
Books about Bookshops (across almost every genre)
Books about books, bookshops, and booksellers - it's my favourite thing. Here's a small selection...
What the Book Hero team is excited for
With so many pre-orders coming in the last few months of the year, we asked...
See moreIn this life-affirming picture book, acclaimed author Christopher Cheng weaves the true story of his family’s search for safety in the midst of war, demonstrating the strength of children in the face of the impossible.
In this life-affirming picture book, acclaimed author Christopher Cheng weaves the true story of his family's search for safety in the midst of war, demonstrating the strength of children in the face of the impossible.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
In this life-affirming picture book, acclaimed author Christopher Cheng weaves the true story of his family's search for safety in the midst of war, demonstrating the strength of children in the face of the impossible.
Young Shu Lok didn't know there was a war until it appeared on his doorstep. Overnight, everything changes. His parents send him away, tucking him into a basket alongside his cousins to be carried to safety.
They travel in search of a place the war does not reach, over cloud-wreathed clifftops, and through cold, hungry nights where a rocky bed and cold bean curd cake are all that await him.
But Shu Lok comes to find that war does not define him. He remembers his parents' words: be powerful like a dragon. Even if food and comfort are scarce, strength, resilience, and kindness can always be found. Even in the harshest times, dragons can learn to fly.
Based on author Christopher Cheng's true family story and with breathtaking, sweeping illustrations by Jacqueline Tam, Powerful Like a Dragon is an honest and heartfelt invitation into one child's experience during the Imperial Japanese invasion of Hong Kong in 1941.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781250829399
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 15 April 2025
Country: United States
Imprint: St Martin's Press
Contributors:
- Illustrated by Jacqueline Tam
Audience: Children
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 13.0mm
Width: 190.0mm
Height: 225.0mm
Weight: 420g
Pages: 40
About the Author
Christopher Cheng is an award-winning author of historical fiction, non-fiction and picture books for children. His critically acclaimed picture book 'Bear and Rat' (published in the USA as 'Will We Always Hold Hands?') is a loving tribute to his wife that Kirkus called "simultaneously quietly soothing yet deeply empowering-a friendship tale for the ages". Christopher is also a co-chair of the International Advisory Council for SCBWI and an ambassador for Australia's National Centre for Australian Children's Literature (NCACL). He holds a Master of Arts in Children's Literature and established the SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards. Christopher dwells in a Tardis-like inner-city Sydney terrace and is often heard to say that he has the best job in the world! chrischeng.com Jacqueline Tam is a Hong Kong-American illustrator based in Brooklyn, NY. Her illustrations have appeared in newspapers, magazines and in children's books, and have been recognized by The Society of Illustrators, American Illustration and 3x3 Magazine. jacquelinetam.com
Also by Christopher Cheng
View all-
Bear and Rat
A powerful and uplifting story about loving friendship, even through the hardest of times. Bear and Rat are the best of friends who do everything together, but Rat wonders if Bear will always be there to hold her hand, no matter what happens ...Hardback$3000Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Classic Australian Poems
Australian poets have a wonderful way with words, and their poems bring to life the iconic Aussie characters and unforgettable landscape that are part of our Australian heritage. Many of these characters—Mulga Bill, Clancy of the Overflow, The Ant Explorer, M'Dougal, The Shearer's Wife, and Mr Smith—are larger than life. The poets who created them—AB Patterson, CJ Dennis, Thomas E....Paperback$1999Elsewhere:$2699Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Dragon Folding
From the author of the stunning Bear and Rat comes a powerful, heartfelt gem about the strength of community and the magic that can come from the innocence of a child. In a fractured old house with a wiggly sign lived a bent old man, alone. But it wasn't always this way... When Mr Singer's wife went away, the colour...Hardback$3000Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Old Fellow
A touching and tender picture book about the joy that can be found in companionship and community. An old man and an old dog look after each other on their daily trip to the local park. Along the way, they meet friends new and old who brighten their day in different ways. A beautiful, heartwarming book that celebrates community and...Hardback$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
One Tree
A touching and uplifting story about love, change, and the importance of the natural environment in all our lives. One Tree tells the story of one tall tree on the mountain that once marked Grandfather's farm. Now, there is a busy city, and Grandfather lives with us in our apartment. Once he told stories, but now he stays silent. Until...Hardback$3000Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Quoll
An exciting addition to the narrative non-fiction series Nature Storybooks, about an Eastern Quoll. The blue-black sky is painted with glistening stars. Quoll has woken. It's playtime here in the moonlit night. Join a female Eastern quoll and her playful pups as they venture through the forest and fields on their nightly hunt for food.Hardback$2899Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
20% offThe Imagineer
*CBCA 2022 Notable Book: Picture book of the year*Age range 3 to 6Penny has a massive imagination. She loves to draw up plans, gather her tools and turn sketches and scribbles into new creations.One day, she visits her grandpa's house and is amazed at his gadgets and gizmos. He has a telephone hanging on his wall, an organ with bellows...Paperback$1600Usually:$1999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Wombat
Learn all about the “bulldozer of the bush” in a fascinating introduction to the wombat -- an exciting addition to the award-winning Nature Storybook Series.Far underground, where dirt and tree roots mesh, are tunnels that lead to a burrow, and in this burrow Wombat’s day begins.Wombats may look soft and cuddly, but they are determined and tough, with sharp teeth...Paperback$1999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Quoll
An exciting addition to the narrative non-fiction series Nature Storybooks, about an Eastern Quoll.The blue-black sky is painted with glistening stars. Quoll has woken. It's playtime here in the moonlit night.Join a female Eastern quoll and her playful pups as they venture through the forest and fields on their nightly hunt for food.Paperback$1999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
New Year Surprise!
Age range 6 to 9 Little Brother is told by his brother and his friends that he's too small to help out at the Spring Festival. He's too little to fly a kite, and he's not strong enough to hold a dragon pole. But Father says he has a special job to do. What can it be? He knows it's...PaperbackSold Out -
Pollination
A child’s day in the garden with their Gran and Pa leads to a wonderful exploration of pollination. Join them in discovering how pollination happens in our gardens and backyards, and the importance it has for our environment. Meet the animals involved in pollination and the plants that depend on pollination to produce our fruit, vegetables and even our clothes!...HardbackSold Out
More from Children's Books
View all-
Buy to WinNew ReleaseGiant Heart
Meet Jonah Lomu, one of the greatest All Blacks of all time. His speed and strength on the rugby field made him famous around the world, and his fun and generous personality made him beloved, but all the while he faced a big battle with his health. “[David Hill’s] stories are wonderful, full of action and are always teaching the...Hardback$1999Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Cass and the Beast
A sweeping and original picture book about a girl who chooses not to be afraid, a modern-day heroine in a story we feel in our bones like an ancient folktale. When a fearful beast arrives in the township, Cass finds her courage and is rewarded with a wild and magical journey. The creature takes her on a thundering ride through...Hardback$2399Elsewhere:$2999Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips late September -
New ReleaseThe Case of the Viral Video: Violet and the Velvets 3
Violet and the Velvets can hardly believe they've come so far in the BandChamps competition with only hard work, a smidge of talent, and a whole lot of thinking outside the box. This time, they get to record their new song in a proper recording studio and star in their very own music video! But Violet is letting her perfectionism...Paperback$1600Elsewhere:$1899Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseRoyalslinger
K Pop Demon Hunters fans will love this! Graci Kim is back with the second book in her exciting and fantastical Slinger series where dragons and phoenixes roam the skies of Seoul; meals magically appear based on your mood; and dreams literally come to life. Praise for Dreamslinger: “A mind-blowingly original fantasy adventure—Graci Kim has done it again!”—Rick Riordan, New York Times #1...Paperback$1999Elsewhere:$2400Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Detective Beans and the Map of Mystery
Enjoy this new DETECTIVE BEANS adventure in the bestselling and award-winning graphic novel series by Li Chen! Your favourite kitten detective is back with a new mystery to solve . . . and treasure to find! When Captain Scuttlebeard gives Beans a treasure map, Beans is determined to find the prize at the end. The clues take him all over...Paperback$1900Elsewhere:$2200Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseMei Mei the Bunny
Mei Mei the Bunny is Laufey's picture book debut about a bunny learning to believe in herself through music. Experience a heartwarming tale of self-belief in this enchanting picture book by GRAMMY Award-winning musician Laufey. Meet Mei Mei, a little bunny with a big dream—to spread joy through her music! As her debut recital at the H'Opera House draws near,...Hardback$3199Elsewhere:$3800Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseHunted: Wolf Girl 15
Just when Wolf Girl is finally reunited with her father, he is torn away from her once more, and Gwen vows to stop at nothing to track him down. But danger is closing in: a giant snow leopard and a mysterious hooded figure are hot on their trail. As Gwen and the pack race through deep caverns to snowy peaks,...Paperback$1699Elsewhere:$1899Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
What If You Could
From the former prime minister of New Zealand comes a guide for teens on chasing your dreams and embracing the unexpected qualities that truly make a person strong. When Jacinda Ardern became prime minister of New Zealand, she was one of the youngest people in the world leading a country. Many people thought she would never succeed — herself included....Paperback$2599Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Lonasei and the Mystery of Origin Grove
Eleven-year-old Lonasei is lonely — she wishes her older sister Eva Grace wasn't so mean, and that her mum Aria didn't have to work so much. But when Aria inherits her childhood home, Lonasei discovers she can enter her late Aunt Malia's paintings and experience the memories within. Through them, she discovers that her mother had another sister, Agnes, who went...Paperback$2199Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Dawn Raid: The Apology
This sequel to Dawn Raid follows Sofia Savea’s family, 50 years later, as Sofia's grandson becomes involved in the quest for a government apology. INVERCARGILL, 2020 Wow, I thought I knew a bit about the dawn raids, but this is HUGE. It happened to my OWN family and I never knew! I had no idea that Granfia and her family...Paperback$1800Elsewhere:$2099Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseBig Bang Bread
In this time-travel storybook and cookbook with a cosmic twist, take a journey through time and space to discover the secrets of baking! Did you know that bread is made from stardust? Board the rocket and blast off on an adventure through time and space to discover the secrets of a home-baked loaf! Big Bang Bread is a kids' time-travel...Paperback$1800Elsewhere:$2100Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
B is for Bird
From award-winning artist, Lily Emo, comes a beautiful celebration of birds. Paired with a fun rhyming story, gorgeous illustrations, and fold-out pages, this book is set to be a favourite for everyone and the perfect gift. Make your way through the alphabet with this stunning book featuring a cast of familiar birds. From albatross to fantails, gannets to quail, and...Hardback$1999Elsewhere:$2499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
