Customer Reviews

The Emperor and the Kite

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

 

 

I thought that this book was excelent. The artwork was wonderful, and the storyline was entertaining. What I liked most about the book though is the hero of the story. She is a tiny, little girl. This book provides a great role model for children in its hero. I highly recommend this book, as well as many of the authors other books, to anyone, child or adult. It's a great read.

Young's The Emperor and the Kite shows us that even (seemingly) small, insignificant individuals can accomplish great deeds and challenges us not to underestimate anyone's capabilities. The story, by Jane Yolen, takes place in ancient China and tells of a tiny princess, not much thought of by her family, who uses her intellect, creativity, and skill to save her father, the emperor, held hostage by kidnappers. The text of the story is lengthy (many pages have ten or more lines of text) and more explanatory than descriptive. The illustrations, done in multi-colored paper cuts, bring the text to life, depicting the most dramatic moments of the story. The illustrations stretch across both pages and often bleed off the edge. Despite their exquisite detail, the illustrations are flat and float in the white space of the page, without any sense of depth or context.

When I ordered Emperor and the Kite, I already knew I loved the folktale. I saw it first as a teacher in the reading text, and knew I wanted it as a book on its own. I looked forward to that story every time we came to it in the text, and it was a favorite with my second and third grade students as well.
It is a classic tale of strength, courage and loyalty in a small girl, which enpowers children and assures them that there is a little bit of hero in all of us. She remains loyal to her father, even when her other larger and stronger siblings desert him, fleeing in the face of evil. Her father had always favored the others, so this was particularly noteworthy. In the end, he rewards her loyalty and learns that even if you are big and strong, without strength of character, you are useless.
The story reminds me of Mulan in the way that the main female characters basically save China. Ed Young's illustrations are awesome as always.

There is a theme in Chinese culture, myth, legends, fantasy, folktales, fairy tales which speaks to a ruler's expected conduct and what results occur. Additionally the importance of the acquisition of knowledge and being industrious. The story of the tiny princess is atypical with many tidbits. The story can grow with repeated readings. It can be as simple or complex as fits one's time in life.

ANNOTATION:
Very long ago, a Chinese emperor had a tiny daughter who spent her time playing with kites - because she was so tiny that nobody would take notice of her.

INSIDE FLAP COVER NOTES:
Brilliant full-color illustrations by a Chinese artists in a modern version of an intricate traditional Oriental papercut style, and a simple test, beautifully written, tell this enchanting tale of a small child's love and loyalty. When the emperor was captured and imprisoned in a high tower, his youngest daughter, Djeow Seow, according to an old legend, patiently wove a long, strong rope of her own hair, attached it to the tail of her kite, and cleverly flew it up to her father so that he could escape.

The story is told in an easy-to-read, yet sensitive and poetic style that evolkes the long-ago and far-away flavor of ancient China.

Illustrated by Ed Young.

Small brave girl rescues her father and eventually becomes leader of a nation. Message about loyalty and love and character. She is a princess but there is no discussion of her beauty or marriage prospects. Beautiful illustrations.

I was very pleased with the book I received. Although the book was used, it looked new!!

I never know if my 6 and 8 year old girls will like a book or not. This one they loved! The story involves a timeless theme of a daughter wanting her father's love. Flying kites is one way our family spends time together, so this really resonated with us. Our girls have asked me, or their dad, to read this to them repeatedly.