Chen Ping and His Magic Axe [Library Binding]

Demi (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Chen Ping's honesty in his encounter with a stranger causes his ax to acquire magic powers, while his greedy master's attempt to reap the same reward comes to a different end.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this story of traditional Chinese wisdom, Chen Ping, a poor and content boy, works for a rich and greedy master. He chops wood and takes loving care of all animals. When his axe falls into the river as he's crossing a bridge, he has some firewood to attend to. An old man with a long white beard appears to lend a hand. Honest Chen Ping refuses to lie about a silver axe and a golden one when given a chance to substitute either for his real axe. That is not true of his malevolent master, who is doomed to perish from his own greed. In this plainly told tale of opposing moral concepts, the clarity of the text and intention are matched by illustrations of an ordered landscape of ups and downs, good and bad animals, real and imaginary events. Toy-like animals and blithe color intonations are sure to have an immediate audience. Ages 48.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreS Up Chen Ping, a poor boy who is sent by his master, Wing Fat, to chop firewood, accidentally drops his axe in the water while crossing a bridge. An old man appears, dives into the river and pulls out a silver axe, then a golden one, and, finally, Chen Ping's own axe. Impressed by the boy's honesty in not claiming the first two axes as his own, the old man promises that the plain axe will be more of a treasure than the others, and, indeed, it magically chops wood with little effort from its owner. When greedy Wing Fat hears the story and decides to seek his own reward, he meets with an unpleasant fate. Demi's familiar petite illustrations in bright colors show wondrous animals in the clouds and dragons in the river amid the Chinese landscape. Supposedly a retelling of a Chinese folktale, no sources are given, and the story could not be found in any of the popular Chinese anthologies. This is, however, a charming, although not profound, little book. Susan Scheps, Bertram Woods Library, Shaker Heights, Ohio
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dodd Mead (June 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0396089070
• ISBN-13: 978-0396089070
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,553,656 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Demi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and now lives in Yarrow Point, Washington. Demi is the author and illustrator of more than one hundred children's books, including picture-book biographies. Her work has received numerous awards and accolades.