THE FOURTH QUESTION
A Chinese Tale
adapted by Rosalind C. Wang & illustrated by Ju-Hong Chen
A well-told, nicely balanced story with an admirable message. Hard-working Yee-Lee sets out to ask a wise man why he is so poor. En route, he agrees to ask the wise man questions for three others: the mother of a mute daughter, the owner of a barren fruit tree, and a dragon who yearns to ascend to heaven. Finding that the wise man will answer only three questions, Yee- lee omits his own—to find, of course, that the other answers have the effect of granting all he could wish for. In rough pencil and subtle colors, Chen's beautifully designed, stylized illustrations—an imaginative blend of references to Chinese art with simple forms like dePaola's—reflect the story's warmth and gentle humor. Unusually satisfying. (Folklore/Picture book. 4-8)