Kraken-ka, the Komodo Dragon, is a pourquoi tale written in the spirit of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories. It is set on Komodo Island in Indonesia and illustrated with art inspired by one of the world's oldest dramatic traditions, the shadow puppets of Wayang Kulit.

A performance CD with activities and information designed to expand understanding is also included. The CD for Kraken-ka, the Komodo Dragon contains:

For Young Readers:

A set of shadow puppet patterns.

A script for presenting a play.

A playbill poster to make.

Information about the Wayang Kulit shadow puppet tradition.

A note from Kraken-ka.

For Teachers and Parents:

Suggested activities for Grades 3-5 that support learning about the endangered Komodo dragon.

Background material on the Wayang Kulit shadow puppet tradition with suggested links to internet sites offering information on gamelan music and shadow puppetry.

A map to help students (and teachers) learn the names of major islands in Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago.

Suggested links to internet sites about the Komodo dragon including Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Man and Biosphere Reserve, where the endangered Komodo Dragon is protected.