The runaway wok A Chinese New Year tale

Ying Chang Compestine

Book - 2011

On Chinese New Year's Eve, a poor man who works for the richest businessman in Beijing sends his son to market to trade their last few eggs for a bag of rice, but instead he brings home an empty-- but magic-- wok that changes their fortunes forever. Includes information about Chinese New Year and a recipe for fried rice.

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Subjects
Genres
Picture books
Published
New York : Dutton Children's Books/Penguin 2011.
Language
English
Main Author
Ying Chang Compestine (-)
Other Authors
Sebastià Serra, 1966- (illustrator)
Edition
1st ed
Physical Description
unpaged : col. ill. ; 24 x 29 cm
ISBN
9780525420682
Contents unavailable.
Review by Booklist Review

In this high-spirited original folktale set in yesteryear Beijing, a magical pan becomes a Robin Hood hero. On Chinese New Year's Eve, the poor Zhangs send their son, Ming, to trade their last eggs for rice, which, unlike the rich, greedy Li family, they plan to share with their neighbors. Along the way, Ming encounters an old man, who offers Ming a wok that miraculously pleads its own case: Trade for me, / I am more than what you see! Astonished, Ming carries it home, where it continues to sing: Skippity-hoppity-ho! / To the rich man's wife I go! Off it bounces, and in several trips to the Lis and back, the wily wok collects food, toys, and money, which Ming and his parents joyfully distribute throughout their community. The well-paced, repetitive text reads aloud well, but young listeners will want to crowd in close to enjoy the details of holiday bustle in the appealingly packed acrylic paintings. An author's note about the tale's inspiration and Chinese New Year, as well as a recipe for stir-fried rice, close this festive offering.--Engberg, Gillian Copyright 2010 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Inspired by the Danish folktale, The Talking Pot, Compestine's (Boy Dumplings) jaunty story takes place long ago in Beijing, which Serra (A Pirate's Night Before Christmas) portrays as a bustling, cheerful village. On Chinese New Year's Eve, a poor couple send their son to market to trade their last eggs for rice so they can make a meal for their neighbors. Instead, Ming swaps the eggs for a smiling, singing wok that boasts, "I am more than what you see!" The wok hops off to the home of a stingy rich family whose servants fill it with food, then delivers the feast to the needy family, chanting, "Skippity-hoppity-ho!/ To the poor man's house I go." After the sneaky wok brings them the greedy rich son's toys and gold the man has cheated others out of, Ming's family shares their bounty with poor villagers. The sight of the insouciant wok carrying away the miserly family-stuck inside headfirst, legs waving in the air-will make kids snicker. They'll also chime in, since the wok's refrain begs for audience participation. Ages 6-8. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review

K-Gr 4-This Chinese twist on a Danish folktale introduces a helpful wok that takes from the rich and gives to the poor, bringing rice, toys, and money so the community can celebrate the New Year. Lively acrylic paintings and a satisfyingly repetitive text showcase Chinese New Year customs. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review

Set in long-ago China, this story tells of Ming Zhang and his poor but deserving family. On New Year's Eve, Ming buys a magical wok, which promptly sets out to transfer riches from the greedy Li family to the Zhangs, who share it with others. The detailed, vigorous illustrations reflect the mischievous wok's energy. A recipe and Chinese New Year festival facts are appended. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

Sent to the market to buy rice for his family's Chinese New Year celebration, little boy Ming comes home with an old, rusted wok instead. His parents are dismayed. But this wok is special: It can sing. As soon as Mama Zhang shines the wok, it jumps off the table with a "Skippity-hoppity-ho!" and rolls to the house of the richest man in Beijing. The wok tricks the wife into stuffing it with dumplings, rice cakes and more. Filled to the brim, it skips back to the Zhang family. Serra's bright, jam-packed visuals zip after the wok as it flits through cluttered markets and detailed Beijing streets. The wok makes two more trips, each time singing its catchy tune. In delight, Ming and his parents hold a grand New Year's Eve feast and share their fortune with all around. Inspired by the Danish folktale "The Talking Pot," Compestine cleverly swops in a woka traditional symbol of sharing. An endnote connects the spirit of the Chinese New Year to lessons of generosity learned in the tale. (recipe for festive stir-fried rice)(Picture book. 4-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.