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Item Barcode | Collection | Call Number | Status | Item Holds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33607001213431 | Picture Books | DEMI | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
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Summary
Summary
In this traditional Chinese tale, a poor man receives a treasure of gold and discovers the true value of simple pleasures.
Reviews (2)
School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-A picture-book adaptation of a Chinese folktale included in Wolfram Eberhard's scholarly collection The Folktales of China (University of Chicago, 1965; o.p.). Originally titled "Money Makes Cares," the story contrasts a wealthy man, Pang, with a poor one, Li. Pang is so busy counting his money that he has no time to play with his five sons or enjoy life. Li, his neighbor, works his small farm, yet also plays the flute so that his five daughters can sing and dance. Pang, disturbed by their music and laughter, gives Li a bag of gold coins. As Pang expects, Li becomes obsessed with counting the money and thinking of ways to spend it. For a time, the music and laughter are stilled. Then Li's wife recalls a proverb, "He who has heaven in his heart is never poor," which inspires Li to return the money and give Pang another gift as well. A small note identifies the reteller's source as Leslie Bonnet's Chinese Folk and Fairy Tales (Putnam, 1958; o.p.) While the earlier tales portrayed the rich man as a workaholic manager, Demi casts him as a miser, downplays the role of his wife, and makes the children important supporting actors. Her small decorative figures enact the story inside one circular frame per page. The artwork, executed with Chinese brushes in bright colors, subtly evokes 18th-century European porcelain plates. Unfortunately, one or two images don't quite connect to a narrative event. This humorous celebration of family values and the simple life belongs in larger collections where more Chinese folklore is needed.-Margaret A. Chang, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
"He who has heaven in his heart is never poor," says a farmer's wife in this simple, graceful adaptation of a Chinese folktale. Pang, a rich man, spends all his time counting his money, neglecting his wife and five sons. Meanwhile Li, who is poor, often plays his flute for his wife and five daughters to dance to. When Li's playing interrupts Pang's counting, Pang gives Li a bag of money to keep him busyand it works. But Li soon realizes what heand Pangare missing, and comes up with a solution that gladdens both families. Demi's (One Grain of Rice) playful illustrations employ a variety of media, from white ground oyster shell to black pine-soot ink, plus her characteristic gold metallic tone. The colors are unusually intense and the general effect lustrous. The circular compositions, set atop lightly figured backgrounds, possess a sheen that creates the effect of Chinese porcelain plates on damask cloth. Stylish and accessible. All ages. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved