A philosophical tale cleverly highlighting the shifting nature of perspectives as they evolve over time.
A man loses his horse and gains wisdom to share in this import from China via India.
Inspired by a millennia-old Chinese folktale that gave rise to an enduring proverb, this picture book retells the story of Sion (pronounced “Sai Ong” and meaning “Old Man Sai”), a fortuneteller whose horse wanders across the border into enemy territory. Rather than dwelling on his loss, Sion ponders it as perhaps not a bad occurrence, and he is proven right when his horse returns some time later with more horses in tow. Sion’s characteristic openness to alternative interpretations of events and his tendency to reserve judgment baffle those around him, especially as he muses on his own son’s serious fall from a horse as possibly “a very good thing!” When enemy armies attack and most other young people are drafted into battle, Sion’s son is spared due to his broken leg, once again demonstrating that misfortunes—like blessings—are not always fixed or immutable. The lively illustrations use a mixture of Chinese painting styles and techniques in depicting characters, scenes, and landscapes. The varying layouts of spreads reinforce the story’s underlying concept of change-as-constant and help to pace the page turns for a stimulating read-aloud.
A philosophical tale cleverly highlighting the shifting nature of perspectives as they evolve over time. (Picture book. 6-9)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-81-936542-5-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Karadi Tales
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
It's a pity that the real story behind this actual, extraordinary piece of ornate French décor is withheld, leaving readers...
The fictionalized story behind the creation of a 19th-century chandelier currently on display in the J. Paul Getty Museum.
In the early 1800s, Louis Alexandre enjoys visiting his Uncle Henri on his expansive estate just outside of Paris. On his latest visit, he finds his artist uncle distraught, unable to conceive a new design for a chandelier, which must incorporate the four classical elements: Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. Several days of collaborative thinking, drawing, designing and building produce the unusual and intriguing light fixture, which includes a blue sphere with stars, griffins and a crystal bowl filled with swimming goldfish. The lengthy narration features the internal recounting of adventurous tales that serve as inspiration for the characters’ creativity. Intricate, darkly tinted ink-and-watercolor paintings depict the well-to-do gentleman and his nephew, both in ruffled shirts, imagining, consulting and overseeing the creation of a new masterpiece. They provide relief from the long-winded text, which, though not without humor, does readers a disservice in its baroque construction. An author’s note provides some clarification but no true investigation of the actual manufacture of the chandelier.
It's a pity that the real story behind this actual, extraordinary piece of ornate French décor is withheld, leaving readers cheated of a true exploration of art history. (Picture book. 7-9)Pub Date: March 6, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-60606-094-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Getty Publications
Review Posted Online: Feb. 5, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2012
The pleasure of finding unexpected links between a new country and the old suffuses this autobiographical outing.
More warm family memories from the Chinese-American creators of Mahjong All Day Long (2005), with cheery illustrations painted on ceramic plates.
The treasured weekend visits with Auntie and Uncle Yang that help an immigrant family cope with feelings of isolation take on a new wrinkle when Auntie Yang spots a field of soybeans on a Sunday drive. Mao dou were considered animal food in this country at the time but widely consumed in China. The armloads of plants that the friendly farmer allows her to bring home begin an annual picnic tradition. It eventually expands to include many Chicago-area families with, as the young narrator notes, “lots of kids just our ages who all spoke Chinese as badly as we did!” Years later, a long-awaited reunion between Auntie Yang and her sibs from China closes these memories of good times and mouth-watering Chinese food on a joyful note. The simply drawn scenes of busy, festive groups reflect the narrative’s happy tone, and they are capped with old snapshots from past gatherings in the afterword.
The pleasure of finding unexpected links between a new country and the old suffuses this autobiographical outing. (glossary) (Picture book/memoir. 6-8)Pub Date: April 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-60060-442-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Lee & Low Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 14, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2012
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