Curious George Dragon Dance (CGTV 8x8)
#10 of 203 in Curious George New Adventures Series
on Goodreads (85)
What’s inside...
George and Marco are exploring the celebrations in Chinatown when they meet Lily, who teaches them about Chinese New Year and recruits them to help with the dragon dance for the parade. While practicing, they encounter difficulties with the dragon costume, leading to damage that needs repair before the parade. This 24-page picture book, inspired by the Curious George PBS TV show, offers insight into Chinese New Year traditions and includes fun crafts. The book also directs readers to the Curious George website for more activities and information.
Character compass
Curious George
The Man With The Yellow Hat
Discussion points
What do you think Curious George felt when he saw the dragon dance for the first time?
Why is it important to learn about different cultures and celebrations?
How do you think the dragon dance brings the community together in the story?
Can you think of a time when you participated in a celebration that was new to you? How did it make you feel?
What would you do if you were in Curious George’s place during the dragon dance?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on their feelings about new experiences, similar to Curious George’s adventure.
Discuss the importance of cultural diversity and understanding, highlighted in the dragon dance.
Ask your child to describe what they imagine a dragon dance to look like and compare it to the illustrations in the book.
Connect the story to personal experiences by sharing your own stories of participating in new or different cultural events.
Prompt your child to think about how learning about other cultures can be exciting and enriching, reinforcing the positive messages from the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cultural appreciation
Explanation: Curious George participates in a traditional Chinese Dragon Dance, learning about the customs and festivities involved.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to embrace and respect diverse cultures, understanding the importance of multicultural celebrations in our global community.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: George works together with his friends to successfully participate in the Dragon Dance.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of working collaboratively, highlighting how teamwork can help achieve common goals and make activities more enjoyable.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and learning
Explanation: George's natural curiosity leads him to explore and participate in new experiences such as the Dragon Dance.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to be curious and open to learning new things, showing them that exploring new ideas can be fun and educational.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: When challenges arise during the dance, George and his friends come up with creative solutions.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving in overcoming obstacles, applicable in school projects and daily challenges.
Example Lesson: Celebration of community events
Explanation: The book shows the community coming together to celebrate an important cultural event.
Real-World Application: It teaches children the importance of community involvement and how participating in local events can strengthen communal bonds.