The Tea Dragon Festival Katie by O'Neill by is adorable!!! Safe for all ages (no adult language, sexual content, or extreme violence), it is the story of a girl named Rinn who discovers a dragon who's been sleeping for 80 years. Her uncle and his… well, I don't want to say lover because to me, that implies a purely sexual relationship and they are more than that. Hese wears a gold bangle looking piece of jewelry on its left ankle, so maybe they are spouses? Not entirely sure, but they are much more than friends. Rinn seems be engaged in a budding romance with the dragon while he's in human form as well, but since the story is child friendly, romantic relationships aren't emphasized. I would like to think that they are falling in love, but that is left entirely up to the reader's interpretation. The tea dragons themselves are adorable, and their presence permeates nearly every panel in the story without over populating them. The idea that Rinn lives in a village of vegetarians who make tea from leaves that grow on dragons the size of lapdogs, some how makes the story more homey. It's like the author doesn't just spend time connecting you to the characters, (who are easy to fall in love with), but also builds a world in which you visit while reading. The illustrations are so vibrant and alive, it feels like this is an actual folklore for a village that really exists in Africa. The story was fun, the characters fleshed out, and the ending delightfully happy. Despite it being a short read, it was a wonderful trip, and I can't wait to walk around with Tea Dragons again. You'll enjoy this story too if you're fond of the world of Avatar, The Last Airbender.
