The Cricket Warrior: A Chinese Tale [Hardcover]

Margaret Chang (Author), Raymond Chang (Author), Warwick Hutton (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1994

In order to save his family, a Chinese boy turns into a fighting cricket and becomes the emperor's champion.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When Cheng Ming and his son, Wei nian, capture a stout cricket, it looks as though they may be able to save their failing farm: the insect will serve as their overdue tax to the emperor, who loves cricket fights. Wei nian's curiosity gets the better of him, however, and, when he tries to get a better look at the cricket, it escapes. Desperate to make amends, Wei nian says yes when a mysterious old man asks him if he would like to take the cricket's place. Soon a scrawny but spirited red cricket becomes court champion. The Changs' (In the Eye of War) dynamic retelling of this tale, which was first recorded in the 17th century, emphasizes Wei nian's concern with honor, the humor of his role as underdog (facing his first cricket opponent, he "waved [his] antennae, trying to look fierce") and the strength of the familial bond: although Cheng Ming has received riches for his cricket and Wei nian as cricket has garnered fame, both are truly happy only when they are reunited. Hutton (Persephone) evokes a memorable Chinese landscape, serene and seemingly timeless under an inky moonlit sky. His delicate lines and luminiscent washes capture the feistiness of the red cricket as well as the magic attending the transformations that frame the tale. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4?Wei nian loses his father's fighting cricket, the family's only hope to rise out of poverty. Distraught, he gets a spirit to turn him into a cricket and wins many matches, making his parents rich. Ultimately, he regains human form and grows up to become a poet and painter of crickets. The Changs' retelling of this ancient tale, first redacted by Pu Songling (1640-1715), downplays the satire found in that version while emphasizing the humanity and magical elements. Their brisk, colloquial narrative is stylish and skillfully renders each turn of plot. Although there are some inaccuracies, Hutton's impressionistic watercolors are richly colored and display interesting perspective. The crickets are particularly appealing.?John Philbrook, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry; 1ST edition (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689506058
• ISBN-13: 978-0689506055
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,250,809 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Retelling of as story from Shandong/Shantung province, October 4, 2004

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KSL "emma-and-me" (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Cricket Warrior: A Chinese Tale (Hardcover)

This is a story about a poor farming family and their emperor who loved to watch cricket fights. The Emperor ordered a new tax to be paid by everyone and this tax was to be paid for in crickets. The father was worried because of little rain the past 3 years produced little money and no money to pay his taxes. The Cheng family's only hope would be to catch a fighting cricket. One evening the father hear the chirp of a cricket and called for his son to be a bamboo tube and they caught a nice big cricket! The son didn't see the cricket and just wanted to take a peek at it, and when he did the cricket got free and off the son when chasing after the cricket. The son followed the cricket until he was so tired he could go no further. All of a sudden a voice spoke and asked the book what was wrong. The boy told the man his story and said he'd do anything to get the cricket back. The old man asked if the boy would take the place of the cricket and he replied if only I could. The next morning the father had a small red cricket hop into his hand... his was really his son.

I'm not going to give the ending away, but I really enjoyed this retelling of an ancient Chinese tale. At the very end of the book is information on when the "Fighting Cricket" was recorded and information on it's original author Pu Songling. There is also a glossary, but it is only English word your child might not be familar with .