Customer Reviews

Chopsticks

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A tiny mouse befriends a wooden dragon in this simple story that takes place on the Chinese New Year in Hong Kong Harbor. Anything is possible, and thanks to Berkeley's atmospheric description, it's easy for a child to suspend disbelief.

He paints whole scenes in a few lines of prose, so we're right down there with little Chopsticks, the mouse, as he scurries late at night in search of crumbs on the floor of a floating restaurant. It's an impressive place, with hundreds of windows and two enormous carved dragons guarding its mammoth entrance.

We might even tremble in empathy too when, one New Year's night, one of the dragons clears his throat and asks Chopsticks to draw near. Turns out he wants to confide his secret longing to Chopstick, and a friendship is born.

Berkeley's Hong Kong Harbor is a misty dreamscape, where an old carver in his sampam holds the secret to granting the dragon's wish. The dragon's a friendly sort, with big, cheerful eyes and a lopsided grin, and, like Chopstick, you instantly want to help him out.

His acrylics glow with filtered sunlight and streaks of gold radiate from gleaming surfaces. We're keenly aware of Chopstick's diminutive size amidst the bustle of the world's busiest harbor, but we never lose sight of the little fella' as he sets out to help his new buddy.

This is a perfect one for teaching about friendship, about good deeds, and about bringing your own sense of adventure to all you do.

Brought to life by a gorgeous selection of colours, textures and settings, this simple story of friendship and dreams transports us to another world.

As other reviewers have said, the illustrations in this book are lush and really beautiful, and the mouse is really charming. I've read many books to my daughter over the last 5 years and this is one of my very favorite books (tied with Anatole). The one thing I'd add is that there is a really nice touch at the end where Chopsticks goes back regularly to the old man who carved the dragon to tell him about his adventures with the dragon. To me it's a subtle message of respect for the elderly and the mouse's thoughtfulness and willingness to think of a way to make someone else happy, not just himself.

I give this book to children when we go to visit, and explain that we live in the very city and have eaten at the very restaurant featured in the story. They all love that!

Chopsticks is a little white mouse who lives in a floating restaurant in Hong Kong. At the door of the restaurant are two enormous pillars that are carved in the shape of magnificent dragons. And when, on a New Year's night, one of the dragons talks to little Chopsticks, it is the start of the greatest adventure of little Chopsticks' life!

Every night, I read several books to my little four-year-old. Well, this is one of our favorites! Chopsticks himself is so cute, and we really liked the foreign settings. The illustration work is very good, and goes excellently with the text.

Yep, this is a great book, one that I love to read, and she loves to see. We both highly recommend Chopsticks to you and your little reader!

My boys and I do not tire of this book. The beautiful illustrations match the delightful story of an unlikely relationship that benefits both parties, and benefits the reader! We love it.