(3) K-3 Illustrated by David Roberts. The humorously detailed watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations almost upstage this engaging reimagining of Andersen's tale, inspired by the author's reading of the story as a book-starved child during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. A young emperor concocts a plan involving ridiculous rice-sack clothing to fool his vain, greedy ministers and reclaim some of their ill-gotten gains for his people. Appended with an author's note and craft instructions.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Translated by Carissa Duan. Illustrated by James Yamasaki. In the English/Chinese bilingual edition (Chinese translation not evaluated) of an original fable, a hungry ghost in Beijing sets his sights on a plump little boy. The clever kid convinces the ghost to follow a recipe for "boy dumplings" ("1 chubby boy, 10 pounds stinky garlic..."), which requires many distracting errands for supplies. Ghoulish watercolor illustrations occasionally veer into garish territory.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Amazing Chinese Inventions series. Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. In bilingual editions of these original tales (Chinese texts not evaluated), the clever Kang brothers tackle various challenges: eating hot food (Chopsticks), scaring birds from their rice fields (Kites), salvaging their mother's botched cooking-contest entry (Noodles), and saving face at school (Paper). Bold images, reminiscent of traditional Chinese cut-paper designs, illustrate the tales. An author's note provides brief history of each invention. Recipe/activity appended. Review covers these Amazing Chinese Inventions titles: The Story of Chopsticks, The Story of Kites, The Story of Noodles, The Story of Paper.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Amazing Chinese Inventions series. Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. In bilingual editions of these original tales (Chinese texts not evaluated), the clever Kang brothers tackle various challenges: eating hot food (Chopsticks), scaring birds from their rice fields (Kites), salvaging their mother's botched cooking-contest entry (Noodles), and saving face at school (Paper). Bold images, reminiscent of traditional Chinese cut-paper designs, illustrate the tales. An author's note provides brief history of each invention. Recipe/activity appended. Review covers these Amazing Chinese Inventions titles: The Story of Chopsticks, The Story of Kites, The Story of Noodles, The Story of Paper.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Amazing Chinese Inventions series. Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. In bilingual editions of these original tales (Chinese texts not evaluated), the clever Kang brothers tackle various challenges: eating hot food (Chopsticks), scaring birds from their rice fields (Kites), salvaging their mother's botched cooking-contest entry (Noodles), and saving face at school (Paper). Bold images, reminiscent of traditional Chinese cut-paper designs, illustrate the tales. An author's note provides brief history of each invention. Recipe/activity appended. Review covers these Amazing Chinese Inventions titles: The Story of Chopsticks, The Story of Kites, The Story of Noodles, The Story of Paper.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Amazing Chinese Inventions series. Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. In bilingual editions of these original tales (Chinese texts not evaluated), the clever Kang brothers tackle various challenges: eating hot food (Chopsticks), scaring birds from their rice fields (Kites), salvaging their mother's botched cooking-contest entry (Noodles), and saving face at school (Paper). Bold images, reminiscent of traditional Chinese cut-paper designs, illustrate the tales. An author's note provides brief history of each invention. Recipe/activity appended. Review covers these Amazing Chinese Inventions titles: The Story of Chopsticks, The Story of Kites, The Story of Noodles, The Story of Paper.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Ming and his archaeologist father live a rough life in Communist China. When an imperial tomb is discovered in their village, Ming befriends a clay soldier that comes to life. The soldier tells stories about Emperor Qin's ancient China while helping Ming protect the site. Ironically, the clay soldier is the most fully realized character in this accessible if purposeful novel. Glos.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Yan Nascimbene. Vinson is his American name, but his grandfather, visiting from China, calls him by his Chinese name, Ming Da. Grandpa teaches his impatient grandson the slow, careful exercises of tai chi, and eventually he and Ming Da play a pivotal role in the Chinese New Year parade. Realistic, luminous watercolor illustrations show the family’s balance of the traditional and the modern.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2012

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sebastià Serra. 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.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(2) YA Illustrated by Coleman Polhemus. According to Chinese tradition, hungry ghosts are appeased with food. So, while these grisly ghost stories introduce various elements of Chinese history and culture, Chinese cuisine also plays a key role. The collection offers up enough fright--and food--to keep readers returning for seconds. Each tale is followed by historical notes and a recipe; together they represent an eight-course banquet.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2009

(4) K-3 Illustrated by James Yamasaki. In this tantalizing original fable, a hungry ghost in Beijing sets his sights on a plump little boy. The clever kid convinces the ghost to follow a recipe for "boy dumplings" ("1 chubby boy, 10 pounds stinky garlic..."), which requires many distracting errands for supplies. Ghoulish watercolor illustrations occasionally step over the line between spooky and garish.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch. In this version of a legend from southeast China, a pompous fisherman is outsmarted by his three helpers and ends up doing all the work to make a delicious soup. Though the narration is stilted, readers will giggle over Jorisch's watercolors showing what's actually going on as the fisherman brags, "I invented the real stone soup." A recipe is included.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) YA Inspired by Compestine's own experience, this vivid novel tells the absorbing story of Ling, a Chinese girl who grows up during the Cultural Revolution. For four years, Ling endures hardship and persecution, including her beloved father's imprisonment. She discovers within herself a fierce will to survive that sustains her until Mao's death signals a change in China's politics.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. The Kang brothers are embarrassed when their teacher writes their misdeeds on the palms of their hands. As clever as they are mischievous, the three boys invent paper, which brings them acclaim and helps them to concentrate on their studies. The flat illustrations flow across and around the pages providing a sense of depth and movement. An author's note and directions for making paper are included.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. Tired of banging pots to scare scavenging birds from their rice fields, the three Kang brothers try fashioning their own wings to chase them away. Following failed attempts using paper, chopsticks, and feathers, the boys create fengzheng--wind kites--and their family opens the first kite factory in China. This original folktale's cut-paper art in traditional Chinese style is as energetic and appealing as the Kang siblings.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) K-3 Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. After a mishap in the kitchen sends dough flying everywhere, the Kang brothers try to salvage their mother's cooking-contest entry by cutting the dough into long, thin strips. The boys' culinary creation wows the judges and the local children, who are eager to taste the mian tiao, or noodles. Bold images, reminiscent of traditional Chinese cut-paper designs, illustrate this original tale.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Tungwai Chau. This original tale set in China is a cross between "The Gingerbread Man" and "The Miracle of the Loaves and the Fishes." A rice cake runs away from the Chang family on New Year's Eve and is unstoppable until it bumps into a hungry old woman. The goodhearted but poor Changs offer her the rice cake, and predictably their kindness is rewarded. The lively illustrations and a note about the holiday add authentic details. A recipe is included.

Reviewer:

(4) K-3 Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. Using twigs, young Kùai Kang invents chopsticks with which to eat hot food. When his family brings the invention to a wedding, the villagers consult a wise man, who approves chopsticks if their users show good manners. Though this imagined story coheres well, the "explanation" of the origin of chopsticks isn't compelling. The stylized illustrations resembling stained glass are made from cut paper bordered in black. An author's note is appended.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian