Reviews (4)

Not appropriate for young children
I am very enthusiastic about exposing my children to different cultures and ideas, and when I saw this book and read the reviews on Amazon, I was excited to get it for my girls. When the book arrived, I read it immediately. The story and the pictures are beautiful. I liked everything until the very last sentence of the book -- I was very surprised to read that Yeh-Shen's stepmother and stepsister were "crushed to death in a shower of flying stones." Although I understand that this may be part of the original story, I am giving this book one star because it is supposed to be appropriate for children 4-8. I don't believe, with such a violent and disturbing ending, that it is appropriate for this age group.

A great book
I think this book is very,very good. It was a great book about China also a good book for childrens around the world. This book is about a girl named Yeh-Shen that was a orpahan. She had to work for her stepmother and her stepsister. Yeh-Shen had a fish that she did not know that it was magic fish. The fish's name is goldeyes. Yeh-Shen stepsister found out that Yeh-Shen had a friend that was a fish. The stepsister want and told her mother. The stepmother told Yeh-Shen to get some wood from the far side of the land. At the end of the story Yeh-Shen married the king.

One of the best versions of Cinderella
In almost every culture, parents tell children a story that resembles the European Cinderella. Scholars have collected more than 500 versions of the story. In the past couple of decades a lot of these multicultural variations on Cinderella have been turned into children's picture books. The familiar story gives kids a great introduction to people of the world. Several of these books are very good, but two are exceptional. One is John Steptoe's "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters," an African version of the story. The other is this one.

"Yeh-Shen," a Chinese version of the tale almost a thousand years older than the earliest known European version, contains many familiar details - a poor over-worked girl, a wicked stepmother and stepsister, a magical helper, a king in search of a wife, and a lost shoe. But while Cinderella is simply handed gifts from her fairy godmother, Yeh-Shen earns her wishes through kindness to a magic fish. This one change makes a big difference in the ethical tone of the book. It also makes the reader feel much more sympathetic toward Yeh-Shen, who seems to deserve every bit of good fortune she gets.

The illustrations greatly add to the book's charm. Ed Young's style is striking and unique. There's a misty, ethereal quality to his art that makes everything look as if it were taking place in a dream - which is just perfect for the book.

THE OLDEST VERSION OF CINDERELLA
This is the oldest known version of Cinderella. It dates back to 9BC China. Having taught a unit on the history of Cinderella to my class every year around Holiday time, I'm pleased to finally have a copy of the book -- the copy from the Minneapolis Public Library is missing -- because it teaches children that not every version is about pumpkin coaches and glass slippers. Beautifully illustrated by Ed Young, the theme of the fish/fairy godmother character plays throughout the book.

Enjoy this version, along with Shirley Chimo's Egyptian and Korean Cinderellas, The Turkey Girl, The Rough Face Girl, Sootface, and of course, the old classic versions.

This book is an excellent addition to your multicultural children's collection! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Ed Young drops the ball
Not everyone knows this, but authors don't always have control over the artists that illustrate their books. Sometimes a well-established author will be paired with an up-and-coming illustrator, and sometimes it's the other way around. In an ideal situation, the text and the art compliment one another flawlessly, making it so that the reader finds it impossible to imagine any other pairing for that particular book. If I had been Penny Pollock, I would have been initially overjoyed to learn that Ed Young had been selected to illustrate my work. After all, Mr. Young is a winner of the prestigious Caldecott Medal. His books include the beyond beautiful "Lon Po Po" as well as the technically adept and gorgeous "Seven Blind Mice". Which makes it all the more painful that Ed essentially slept through the making of "The Turkey Girl". While the book has a rather interesting and remarkable story, Young's illustrations look slapdash and amateurish. This is a book that has been ruined by its pictures. Worse still, it's been ruined by a formerly very talent artist.

This Zuni tale is a kind of Cinderella story with a dour ending. It tells the simple tale of a girl who lived in her village and was very poor. Her only means of sustenance came from tending the turkeys of the rich, thereby earning her the moniker, Turkey Girl. One day the Turkey Girl overhears that there is to be a fabulous harvest dance that everyone may attend. The Turkey Girl understands that she hasn't the clothes or appearance for such an event, so she contents herself by telling her woes to her only friends, the turkeys. To her amazement, however, the turkeys respond by talking to her. Not the dumb birds we have taken them for, the turkeys present their mistress with a beautiful dress and jewelry for the dance. They insist, however, that she return to them that night before the sun sets. If she does not, they will fly far away and never return. The Turkey Girl promises and goes off to join the dance. She's a hit, but as the afternoon turns to evening she keeps putting off her return to the turkeys. Finally she tears herself away, only to find that they've all gone and that her dress has been returned to rags. As Pollack says in her Author's Note, this book (like some other Native American versions) ends with, "the hard truth that when we break our trust with Mother Earth, we pay a price".

Though it's a little depressing in the end, I liked what this tale had to say. The author has an excellent voice, and the scenes are beautifully presented through her narration. Then we get to the pictures. At first, I was captivated by Young's style. Using pastel and oil crayon, Young works with colors that are native to the American Southwest (where this tale takes place). Though a little fuzzy at first, I was more than willing to give Young the benefit of the doubt. The fuzzy image of the Turkey Girl leading her charges out of the pueblo village looks as if we are viewing the scene through the wavy lines of heat you get on especially bright sunny days. But as the book continued I realized that this style of drawing, while lovely, was completely misplaced here. Though the action in the text becomes interesting and intense, the illustrations are static and without any detail at all. In the section where the Turkey Girl goes to a spring and hears the other girls gossip (soon followed by the announcement of the dance), the picture shows a fuzzy white image of a girl perched on top of (why?) a pueblo as similarly fuzzy images walk away with pots of water on their heads. The scene where the Turkey Girl receives a beautifully described dress of, "white doeskin...belted with red-and-yellow cloth", is accompanied by a shot of two or three somewhat grotesque turkeys taking up 1.25 pages. Worst of all is the dance. The closest we get to seeing ANYTHING at all is a washed out watery shot of eight or so legs that are, for all intents and purposes, not moving. How hard would it have been for Young to infuse a little life into these pictures? Or even, heaven forbid, a little detail. The illustrator seems to be under the impression that to show any intricacies would be to betray the story itself. If so, allow me to assure you Mr. Young that we would have been GLAD to read a book where in the event that a character does something...you see it! Instead, a section that says that, "The Turkey Girl danced every dance, her heart beating in time with her stomping feet", is accompanied by a lazy-hazy view of slightly turkey-shaped clouds against a peach background. If I have no patience for this, then I can guarantee that a five year old being read this story is definitely not going to have any patience with it either.

Which is a real pity. Though Pollock's tale is a bit dark and sad at the end (not only is the Turkey Girl tawdry once more but she's also out of a job) it could easily have worked beautifully with some well placed illustrations. I just can't understand how Ed Young screwed this up. Maybe he was really busy the month he was supposed to be drawing this. Perhaps it didn't pique his interest. Whatever the reason, this book looks like nothing so much as some rudimentary studies of Zuni color schemes hastily scrawled onto a series of pages. If you'd like an adept and haunting Native American picture book fable, allow me to recommend, Rafe Martin's "The Rough-Face Girl". An Algonquin (rather than Zuni) Cinderella tale, that book has the life and energy that this book lacks. All I can say is that I feel very badly for Penny Pollock. I hope that in the future she's given an illustrator that spends a little more time and energy on the final product. For as much as I admire Ed Young, I cannot understand how he allowed himself to produce such a drab creation. I guess it just happens to the best of us sometimes. Maybe.

Not authentic!
Many professional and lay people have given this a positive review, but my study of the book reveals it strays significantly from the way the Zuni people tell this story. While it may be poetic and well written to an uninformed eye, it fails miserably to convey the values and concepts within Zuni culture. As such, it cannot be used in a unit that teaches children about Zuni people.

A Cinderella with substance
This wonderfully evocative retelling of the Cinderella tale has a very different spin, giving the reader much more to think about than the more familiar version. It will make you reflect on your own integrity and will leave you with a clearer understanding of just how much your actions influence your future. Very powerful.

An excellent American Native version of the Cinderella story
Turkey Girl is one of the finest versions of the Cinderella Story to use in your fairy tale and Native American curriculumns. I use Turkey Girl when reading in school classrooms and in my public library, and the children love to hear a story where there are consequences to one's actions. Too many fairy tales rely on the "happy ever after" ending, when everyone knows that if you break a promise, there are consequences to it. This book leads to lots of good discussion about promises and consequences and can be used with children from first through fourth grade. Penny Pollock writes beautifully as always.

Exquisite Native American tale of Cinderella.
A classic. Beautifully illustrated and a moving story. The book is culturally accurate and well researched. It is an exquisitely retold Cinderella's tale in a Native American setting ... Read more

Book Description

"It's a pillar," says one. "It's a fan," says another. One by one, the seven blind mice investigate the strange Something by the pond. And one by one, they come back with a different theory. It's only when the seventh mouse goes out-and explores the whole Something-that the mice see the whole truth. Based on a classic Indian tale, Ed Young's beautifully rendered version is a treasure to enjoy again and again.

"Immensely appealing." (The Horn Book, starred review) ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Have you ever seen such a sight in your life?
Ed Young is nothing so much as an artistic version of Eric Carle. Not that I have anything against Eric Carle (author of "The Hungry Caterpillar") but in "Seven Blind Mice", the artist has imbued his book with such amazing colors and textures that it's a wondrous delight to look through. The story is the classic folktale of the seven blind men and the elephant, rendered mousey. In this story, seven blind mice (not the usual tailless three) come across a large elephant. Each mouse feels a different part of the elephant and comes up with a different idea of what the large object blocking their path is. The moral of the story is summed up nicely at the end as, "Knowing in part may make a fine tale, but wisdom comes from seeing the whole".

Each scene displays the colorful mice (each a different vibrant color) against a black background. These cut-outs are positioned perfectly in each scene to convey movement, mindset, and personality. Though they may be similar shapes, they are by no means identical. But I really can't convey the beauty Young has created here. The elaborate papers used for the elephant's skin or the evocative mind's eye scenes of what the elephant might be. Each time a colored mouse describes what the elephant is (whether pillar or spear or cliff) that object appears on the opposite page in brilliant beautiful papers the color of the mouse describing it.

Pretty doesn't describe it. Beautiful comes close. But spectacular is the most accurate statement that can be made about this book. Now go buy it.

The seventh mouse took his time.
This book was wonderful. The illustrations were so bright and distinct. There are seven blind mice tring to figure out the identity of an object by feeling it. The first six mice make their decisions very quickly, therefore making the wrong choice. The seventh mouse takes his precious time. He runs on top of the object. He runs back and forth. When he finally makes his decision it is the correct one. This book would be great in teaching children to look at every angle of a situation before making a decision.

Kids learn that wisdom comes from seeing the whole
The Indian story of the blind men and the elephant has to be one of the most popular and familiar tales from the sub-continent, and the well-known story receives some nice twists in this book written and illustrated by Ed Young. This time around it is "Seven Blind Mice" who are one day surprised to find a strange something by their pond. They all cry "What is it?" and then run home. Each day, one by one, they investigate the mystery and each returns to report something different to the others, insisting it is a pillar, a snake, a cliff, and so on.

Young, who previous wrote and illustrated "Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Hood Story from China," works in collage for this volume. When we first see the mice they are a row of brightly colored tails against a field of black. Throughout the book the vibrant cut-paper collage on a stark black background makes for a very strong visual impact. The elephant, or I suppose I should say the real elephant, is made from textured and crumpled paper. Even though the mice are blind, each one imagines what they have discovered to be the same color as they are; for example, it is the Green Mouse that feels the trunk of the elephant and reports that he has found a snake, which is also colored green.

"Seven Blind Mice" is a Reading Railroad book aimed at younger students (K-Grade 3). The book works on several levels, because in addition to colors and days of the week, there is an emphasis on counting as well, all of which would be topics in a Kindergarten curriculum. Classes can also discuss what it is like to have a disability, differences and similarities between animals, favorite days of the week, and many other topics off of this book. Plus there is the story's moral: "Knowing in part may make a fine tale, but wisdom comes from seeing the whole." Of course, even young readers will not miss out on how it is the only female in the group, the White Mouse, who is able to put the parts into a whole.

Seven Blind Mice
The book Seven Blind Mice is about seven blind mice that notice something unusual by their pond. Each of the mice goes to the pond to investigate the object. After each one comes back from their investigation they have a different result from the others. Until the white mouse goes to investigate and comes back, and tells them that it is all of the things they said it was. The lesson that this book teaches is that you can all have your own opinion, but you'll be smarter if you look at everyone's. This book should be read by children ages four through seven because I think anyone younger wouldn't understand, and anyone older would think it is uninteresting. I thought that the book was good, but a little boring. It lost my attention half way through the book.

OkaY
WeLL, I reAD THis Book and I MUSt saY ThaT I aM MoSt hORrIblY diSApPoinTEd! FroM AlL thE PoSItivE RevIEwS I EXpected THat tHIs WaS GoinG tO Be a GREAT BooK ThaT I WouLD ReallY ENjoY! It WasN'T! IT alsO WASn't HorRIble EitHER! It was MEdioCRE. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Three little girls spare no mercy to Lon Po Po, the granny wolf, in this version of Little Red Riding Hood where they tempt her up a tree and over a limb, to her death. The girls' frightened eyes are juxtaposed against Lon Po Po's menacing squint and whirling blue costume in one of the books numerous three-picture sequences, which resemble the decorative panels of Chinese tradition. Through mixing abstract and realistic images with complex use of color and shadow, artist and translator Young has transformed a simple fairy tail into a remarkable work of art and earned the 1990 Caldecott Medal in doing so. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

A familiar but not-familiar tale.
This children's book is a story similar to the classic "Red-Riding Hood" story except that it is based an a folktale from China. A mother has to leave her three children in a house and a wolf tries to take advantage but the children are able to use their wits. The book won the 1990 Caldecott Medal for best illustrations in a book for children and it is beautifully illustrated.

An ethnic telling of Red-Riding Hood!
This book is a Red-Riding Hood Story from China but, unlike other versions I've seen, this time it is the mother who goes off to see Grandma and the three daughters are left home alone. I liked how this story showed that the three sisters could work together to save themselves from the wolf, It also shows children how being impatient can get you into a lot of trouble. My favorite part of the book was the illustrations and it is easy to understand why it won the Caldecott Medal. These illustrations are very reminiscent of Chinese watercolors or chalk drawings; they have a very soft and wispy feeling to them. The author is not only a good writer but a good illustrator as well since he was able to perform both of these functions with as much skill as he has talent.

Lon Po Po
In Lon PO PO there are three girls their mother leaves to see their grandmother. Then there is a knock at the door. It is a wolf that looks like their grandmother. They think the wolf is their grandmother. Read this book to see what happens next.

Young's hidden images
Like many of Ed Young's books, there are hidden images in the pictures. In this book, the images are of a wolf's head. One has to look sharply but they are there. Look carefully at the picture of the wolf looking up. Then take another look at the children in the tree pulling the wolf up in the basket.

Lon Po Po: The Best non Red-Riding Hood
Through artful suggestions that open spaces for imagination's supply of satisfying horrors and triumphant solutions, the unusually fine illustrations first pique terror, then confidence. Three children share the problem of a sudden wolf, of being prey, rather than a lone girl. Each child contributes to the solution in accordance with the age intelligence level of the child. Intelligence is the story's primary agent in opposing the wiles of a crafty wolf.
There is no hint of rape, the wolf does not attack, no blood drips. The wolf's eye, or snout--a piece of wolf face writ large--is shudderingly present; the children are expressive, open children, like children everywhere.
This version, a story of alerted intellect laced with fear, offers each reader personal paths through the story; the problem, the solution. Readers will find new thoughts with each reading.
This is a pleasing version with superior, beautiful, art that adds immeasurably to the story. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

WOW!
As a teacher, I can not tell you enough how fabulous this book is! It not only has beautiful illustrations it also has a beautiful message! I use this whenever I teach my butterfly unit, and this is always the kids favorite book that I read! Buy it - you will not regret it!

I Wish...
This is the story of a little cricket who comes to realize his true beauty after being helped by a wise old spider. The little cricket lives in Swampswallow Pond where most of the other crickets are happy spending their days fiddling. This little cricket is not happy. He has been told by the frog at the edge of the pond that he is ugly. He envies all the other creatures that live in Swampswallow Pond. The cricket questions several of the creatures about his beauty, but it isn't until he comes upon the wise old spider that he is able to find his own beauty. Follow Up: Ask students what they think about the story. Students will brainstorm ideas about wishes. Students can write about their own wishes and dreams.Make a class book. Students will write about some things they like about themselves. Draw a different student's name each day and have everyone write the student a letter telling them what they like about that person. Perform this story as a reader's theater.

Wonderful and inspiring!!
I am a senior in high school, and our English teacher shared this story with us, and had us to look for a deeper meaning. It is wonderful and inspiring. I want a copy so I can share it with my children one of these days.

It was an inspiration !
My son has 6 years old and he is starting to learn the best knowledge in life : to read. Every week he brings a book from his school's library and it is a very special moment for us when we sit together and I read for him. I really enjoy it but this last week was more than special because this book had an important message and it was an inspiration for both of us. ... Read more

Book Description

In this deeply personal book, Ed Young explores twenty-six Chinese characters, each describing a feeling or emotion, and each containing the symbol for the heart.

Through stunning collage art that interprets the visual elements within each character, Young uncovers layers of meanings for words such as joy and sorrow, respect and rudeness. He invites readers to probe the full range of their own emotions and he gives a context for discussing ethics and the similarities between old and new, East and West.

It's a book for those who love the beauty of language and the beauty of the heart. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

voices of the heart
The best gift anyone could receive--young or old. It describes and illustrates with Chinese characters the intellect & thought processes behind emotions. Wonderful concrete examples of those feelings you cannot always understand or explain to yourself, a friend or a child. Simply a work of art and an exquisite study for all generations. Please get more!

Voices of the Heart by Ed Young
What a lovely, useful book. When the old Chinese were inventing their writing, they noticed how activities & places evoked feelings & they began to draw the words like pictures as a remembrance. Feelings emerge from somewhere in the middle of our physical selves, & "sorrow" does feel like "opposites," a face off in ourselves. "When the heart is ruled by feelings that oppose each other" is insightful. If we are more able to define feelings like sorrow that converge on us in a moment, maybe we can begin to balanced life too. I can only say this book is most helpful to me. It is absolutely wonderful & more than anything else, useful in meaningful ways for all ages of people.

Voices of the Heart by Ed Young
What a lovely, useful book. Our fast paced times don't offer us the leisure to consider the meaning of our emotions and how they inform every moment of our lives. Emotions are like a roller coaster ride we are locked into and we feel powerless. When the old Chinese were inventing their writing, they noticed how activities & places evoked feelings & they began to draw the words like pictures as a remembrance. Feelings emerge from somewhere in the middle of our physical selves, & "sorrow" does feel like "opposites," a face off in ourselves. "When the heart is ruled by feelings that oppose each other" is insightful. If we are more aware and have the capacity to define feelings like sorrow that converge on us in a moment, maybe we could begin to have a better degree of balanced in life. I can only say this is most helpful to me. This book is absolutely wonderful & more than anything else, useful in meaningful ways for all ages of people.

Incredibly Beautiful
Although meant to be a children's book, this visually stunning work can be appreciated by people of all ages. Ed Young weaves calligraphy, collage, and the written word together in a most incredible way, through the theme of 'the heart'.

I discovered this book about a year ago at a history teachers' conference. This year I purchased my own copy and was told at the time that someone had just purchased it for a wedding (shower) gift. What a great idea!

Vivid & Original
This book is gorgeous, and perfect for adults and children alike. As a student of chinese, I especially admire the abstract interpretations of the characters and their etymologies. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent book to enhance a history lesson
Whether you are dealing with elementary children or even high school, this book sheds a new light on United States history. We are not usually taught about the destruction that our nation caused with the atomic bomb, but this book makes it very personal. However, it is a tear-jerker! That could be helpful to expose children to the feelings that come along with death of a family member or friend.

The tears flowed and knowledge is gained....
This is an excellent adaptation of the story of Sadoko. The book highlights the important parts, but keeps it on a level for children. It causes tears, hope, and courage in all that read it. It has a fasinating plot for such a short book. The illustrations are breathtaking and really portray a sense of the lessons of the book. This book is well worth reading for every age level. My husband and I both cried, as well as my thirteen year old sister. There is a lesson and a tear for everybody in this book. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

An excellent book
The Double Life of Pocahontas is, I think, a very interesting book for those who like Indians,wars,and mixed emotion stories. I recommendthis book for people ages 10 and up. I do this because I think anyone under ten might not understand some of the parts of the book. This book as you might of guessed is about Pocahontas and her life. It starts right before the settlers come. Along the way you'll learn some interesting facts about the Indians and the settlers. First Pocahontas saves John Smith from being killed. He's adopted into the tribe. Then John Smith goes back to London. Things then start to fall apart. The Indians attacked the settlers and the colony falls apart. Pocahontas is then captured and is being converted into Christian. Her father never trys to save her. She marries and is taken to England to met the King and Queen. She wants to stay in England. I won't tell you what happens you'll have to find out for yourself. The author,Jean Fritz,did very good research on this book. If I could I would read it again. This book is great read it now!

POCAHONTAS
The Double Life of Pocahontas was an excellent book. I enjoyed the part when the settlers arrived in Virginia. All of the Natives attacked them. I would suggest this book to good readers of all ages. Jean Fritz did an excellent jod writing the book. She gave many details about the main events. If I were you, I would definatly read The Double Life of Pocahontas.

History made moving, alive, and exciting
What a joy to read history written like this! I disagree with other reviewers who say that this book doesn't focus on Pocahontas, or that it reads more like a text than a story. The author very skillfully and sensitively reveals the thoughts, feelings, and motivations of many characters - especially Pocahontas. Yes, the reader is given a lot of information about the founding of Jamestown, but this is supposed to be an enjoyable work of history, not a fictionalized novel. Besides, it would be impossible to understand Pocahontas without the history. Jean Fritz really knows how to make a story out of history.

Short Biography
This is a short, less than 100 pages, biography of what is know about Pocahontas. I rated it 5 stars although I would have preferred a longer book. However the book is priced right for it's size.

From what I can determine, the book is historically accurate. If your purpose for reading the book is to learn the basics about the life of Pocahontas, then I highly recommend it. If, however, you just wish to be entertained, watch the Disney movie. The movie is not even close to being historically accurate, but it is entertaining.

the worst book ever
You should NOT buy the Double life of Pochahontas.There is barely any dialog. It's really d u l l. Its about the english at Jamestown.It is more of a text book than a story book. It is barley about pochahontas at all. It all starts when the English build Jamestown... ... Read more

Book Description

"Gee lee, gu lu, turn the cake. Add some oil, the betterto bake. Gee lee, gu lu, now it's done. Give a piece to everyone."Children of all lands will welcome this enchanting collection of poems, lullabies, counting rhymes, and songs from the Chinese oral tradition."These versions retain the mood and graceful tone of the originals...Ed Young's illustrations, inspired by calssic Chinese art, show a master's use of line, color, and pattern." -- The New York Times book Review"Beautifully conceived and designed." -- Booklist"Ed Young's paintings charm the eye and ...make a gentle, almost luminous visual re coming together, and apart, in Los Angeles. Fresh and in-your-face, this witty novel depicts a world where women sometimes have to alter their dreams, but never have to stop embracing the future. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A nice addition to Western Mother Goose rhymes
There is a wealth of Western "Mother Goose" to share with children, but this is a wonderful alternative for Westerners who are looking for something "different." My five-year-old especially enjoys the riddles. I do not know how accurate the translations are, but they have a nice sense of rhythm and rhyme -- exactly what you expect in a nursery rhyme.

Disappointed
... The rhymes were not v. good or catchy for a child, and did not flow. I bought the book for the Chinese translation, but was disappointed with the caligraphy and Chinese in the rhymes. The English translation seem OK, but translations are not really for reading out loud. One star for the good pictures which my daughter liked. ... Read more

Book Description

In 1988, award-winning poet Nikki Grimes spent three weeks along the east coast of China. At the same time, artist and China native Ed Young was there writing and sketching his impressions in a personal journal. Both observed signs of the old China alongside the new, and both set what they saw on paper. Through Grimes's penetrating verse and Young's deft drawings, Tai Chi Morning blends two voices that speak not only about China but also about the many ways of experiencing the world. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Best book for Chinese New Year!
I've been reading this story to Preschoolers, Kindergartners, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders for three years now. It is a hit everytime. It is a good version of how the animal zodiac came to be without any religious theme which makes the public school system happy.

Chinese New Year, here we come!
I have found some great books for children on China and Vietnam. My students from those areas will love them and my other students will be able to appreciate the culture better. We all benefit from learning more about each other. Cat and Rat helps with an interesting entertaining story. The zodiac is always intriguing to everybody.

Great book!
This book is one of Ed Yound's finest. It is very beautifully rendered in a sort of abstract, pen and ink style which is very dramatic and striking. Anyone who enjoys myths from around the world will be charmed by this story and the way it is presented. I have bought this book for several people and it has been very well received by adults and children alike!

Enjoyable culturally-based literature!
This is one of my top picks for children's literature dealing with Chinese history and culture! The story is charmingly told in a manner that is convincingly authentic and is a good accompaniment to learning about the Chinese zodiac. This is culturally educational, as well as being a well-written children's story. I especially enjoyed the illustrations, as their color and texture conveyed a darkness and depth of emotion that is rather unique in children's literature. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Informational Book
On the Ojibwa Islands of the Great Lakes many people wove nets to protect their babies from harmful dreams. They would weave a dream net on a willow hoop. It would look just like a spider web but the net would be woven of twine. Then they stained it red with the juice from the berries. They believed that this would catch the bad dreams like almost like a spider web catches flies. Then the good dreams would drift through the hole in the center of the dream catcher. The parents always told the children to try to dream and try to remember what they dream. They did this because the believed that every dream had a meaning. If you had a bad dream it was though that something bad was going to happen to you or your family. If you had a good dream it was thought that something good was going to happen. I didn't really enjoy this book because it didn't really grab my attention. It had a good story and legend behind it but the way they explained it didn't interest me. I would recommend this book though if you want to find out the meaning behind a dream catcher. ~ Katelyn Carson

Dream Catcher by Audrey Osofsky
This is a story of a day in the life of the Ojibway Indians of the Great Lakes. The story is based on the baby of the tribe, whoses sister weaves a dreamcatcher. A dreamcatcher is a net, which is used to catch bad dreams, holding on to them until sunrise when they will be destroyed. This net was made for the Ojibway baby who watches its family through the day as they work and play, lulled into a restful slumber by the dreamatcher.

This is a wonderful story of how this tribe treasured their good dreams as a source of wisdom. It is very captivating for young readers to relate to dreams in this manner, also comparing the games that the children of this culture play. This poetic text uses a rhythm to keep the young reader interested. The beautiful pastel illustrations are used in an impressionistic way to keep the reader in that dream-like feelng. ... Read more

Book Description

Even as a pup, he is different from his brothers: A large gray cub among a litter of red-haired puppies, with a quicker bite and heavier paw. When he leaves the protection of his snug cave, he and his mother are captured by the fire-making gods -- man-animals who live in teepees, and who determine that the pup is half-dog, half-wolf, and name him White Fang. White Fang finds himself relentlessly tormented by the tribe's domestic dogs, and quickly learns to surpass them in cunning and viciousness. His brutality is encouraged even further when he is sold to a sadistic man who takes advantage of the dog's massive size and tremendous strength to pit him in to-the-death dog fights. White Fang is driven near mad, until a young man comes along who offers him kindness and friendship. But friendship is something White Fang doesn't understand...yet.

Jack London's adventure masterpiece is not only a vivid account of the Klondike gold rush and North American Indian life, it is an intriguing study of the effects of our environments in forming who we are. Caldecott winner Ed Young's exquisite illustrations bristle with energy in their portrayal of an angry young wolf struggling with the loss of wild independence that is his birthright, but gaining a new freedom through a profound and unconditional love. ... Read more

Reviews (91)

"Whole Story" Makes a Good Book Better
White Fang is a cross between a wolf & a dog, and the story begins near the beginning of his life, when he is still living in a cave and has yet to experience the out of doors. His father, the wolf, dies when WF is still cave-bound.
Much description is written about WF's feelings for his mother (intense devotion) and the world around him as he begins to explore it. Along the way, by trial and error, he becomes a wily hunter & survivor.

He and his mother Kiche are eventually taken in by a group of
Indians and Gray Beaver becomes his master/god. He trains
WF to be one of his sled dogs and a hunter. The way he trains
him is with ferocious beatings any time WF disobeys or slacks off
or does anything wrong. WF sees him as a god. Not one that he
loves, but one he must obey to avoid beatings and to receive
food.

Gray Beaver eventually sells him to another god, Beauty Smith,
who is truly evil. Beauty is training WF to be a fighter dog,
and his beatings are even more ferocious. WF is pitted against
other dogs on a daily basis, while his master takes bets. WF
never looses. Then one day, WF is pitted against a bull dog.
The fight is like none he had ever experienced before, and it
is one that almost cost him his life.

It is through the fight with the bull dog that WF comes to know
his newest and last master/god, Weedon Scott. And it is
through Weedon that WF learns how to love his god. And in the
end, love is rewarded on both sides.

It is a book that would be most appealing to the intermediate
reader and young adult, especially adventuring types, and animal
lovers. The edition I read was from the Whole Story Series
and their additions to each of the books they publish are very
noteworthy. Besides the complete text of the original book
they also include many photos, illustrations, and enlightening
notes about the history, culture, etc. of the place & era. Even if a person is not crazy about the story (& WF in not my "type" of story,) the information in the margin alone is worth the reading.

Unmatched
This is one of my favorite books. The only other book that might be better is The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman, but Jack London has definitely outdone himself this time. It is the story about an animal who is three quarters wolf and a one quarter dog who goes from life as an indian sled dog to a fighting dog owned by a cruel man, to a loving owner who trys to show this maddened savage creature the meaning of love and kindness. What is really unique about White Fang is that it tells of what might be going on in such a creature's head. It tells of what it is like living in a den out in the wild, tells of how White Fang first comprehends the wild and what he learns aboout the law of life. It explains what his first impression of humans, and of the harsh enviorment of all the other puppies and dogs in the camp. It is beautifully written and I would suggest it to anyone who likes long, thought provoking stories about dogs and wolves and the northlands.

White Fang
This was a really good book. The beginning was pretty unexpected. Mainly because the whole book just changed views. It was very detailed and you could really get into it. I loved the part about when he was just born and how curious he was. I also felt bad for him towards the middle but I won't say for the sake of those who haven't read it yet. I will definatly be reading more of Jack London's books though.

To Love or not to Love "Tawney-H.R Etiwanda"White Fang
Since he was a pup white fang knew he was a killer. Because he lived in the wild, where the law was kill or be killed, White Fang had to be a killer. White Fang is torn between his instincts and the laws of "the gods." Readers have to ask themselves, "with so many masters, will White Fang ever understand love and true human companionship?"

I thought that this book rocked! And I would totally want people to read it. White Fang is kind of like the book "Balto." Balto went to save a dog that he did not like to help bring medicine back to a town that did not like him. It is basically about trying to find your place in life and who you are. That is why I loved the book.

White Fang Review
Just like a lot of other Jack London books this book is about wolves and dogs. The beginning the book is pretty exciting but after that it kind of gets boring for awhile after White Fang gets captured by humans.
This is a good book for people who like reading about animals and adventure stories. ... Read more

Book Description

Largely ignored by her own family, Princess Djeow Seow spends her days playing with a kite made from paper and sticks. But when the Emperor is imprisoned in a high tower, only the Princess can save the day, flying her kite high up into the sky to rescue her father.A familiar jewel polished to unaccustomed brilliance. -- BooklistIt is rare to find a book where the beauty of the language and image are so finely meshed as in this tale of loyalty and love. -- United Press InternationalJane Yolen lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts and Scotland.Ed Young lives in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Fantastic Children's Book
I thought that this book was excelent. The artwork was wonderful, and the storyline was entertaining. What I liked most about the book though is the hero of the story. She is a tiny, little girl. This book provides a great role model for children in its hero. I highly recommend this book, as well as many of the authors other books, to anyone, child or adult. It's a great read. ... Read more

Book Description

"Behavior not befitting the son of the Dragon King!"

The Dragon King has sent his nine sons out to find their places in the world, but rumors abound --each son is apparently as aimless as the next! One son does nothing but stare into space, another spends his day frolicking in a stream, another plays with fire, and still another hollers and yells from noon till night. The king realizes it's time to visit each son to see if the rumors are true. What he finds surprises him, for each son has a very special gift that continues to serve and enrich China's culture to this very day.

Two-time Caldecott winner Ed Young brings us a legend of a very special parent recognizing the potential in his very special children, and in doing so, shows how a simple folktale shaped a visible part of Chinese culture. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

A good story for everyone
I really liked this story.It is about how sometimes things that seem bad are really good and things that seem good are really bad.

Everyone should read this book.

Good story and sweeping artwork
Efficient text, coupled with sweeping illustrations, saturate this Chinese tale of happenstance and fortuosity.Sai is a wise man living in Northern China.Having few possessions, he takes things as they happen, for better or for worse.When his valued horse gets lost, he believes it may not be a bad thing; the horse then returns with a mare.Sai finds harmony in taking the bad with the good.

Young's artwork is portrayed in subdued oils that radiate with a chalk-like appearance.Soft hues fade into another, giving an impressionistic view of the Gobi Desert.The art is often too relaxed at times; on a few pages, the texture of the canvas is plainly visible.However, tinges of life in China hundreds of years ago take form for an indelible rendering.Display this recommended book with other Chinese folk tale picture books during Chinese New Year.Although targeted for 4-6 year olds, children up to age 8 will also enjoy this book.

CLEAR, CONCISE AND DELIGHTFUL TALE
I found this Ed Youngretelling of the traditional folktale quite simply a delight.The pictures are soft and have a mystical quality.The text is simple and concise on each page and the tale has a humor and lesson that even first graders will appreciate.The addition of the puppets is sure to delight those children who like to pursue a story farther than a shared reading with Teacher and class. ... Read more

Book Description

Doko is only a simple basket. It is not only grain from the fieldthat he carries--he has also carried his master's child, and wood for the fire.He was there when the child became a man and married. And he very nearly had tocarry the grandfather away forever. Luckily, someone wise beyond their yearsspoke up and made it possible for Doko to carry the grandfather home againinstead.

As ever, Ed Young has taken a simple fable and made it into a masterpiece ofstunning illustration and expert storytelling. This beautiful and unique bookcelebrates the generations with great originality. ... Read more