FA Mulan: The Story of a Woman Warrior [Hardcover]

Robert D. San Souci (Author), Jean & Mou-Sein Tseng (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: K and up

A retelling of the original Chinese poem in which a brave young girl masquerades as a boy and fights the Tartars in the Khan's army.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"A good swordsman should appear as calm as a fine lady, but he must be capable of quick action like a surprised tiger," says a seasoned warrior to Fa Mulan, unaware that the young soldier is in fact a woman. Award-winning author Robert D. San Souci and Jean and Mou-Sien Tseng have created an elegant, visually stunning retelling of the popular Chinese legend. When Fa Mulan learns that her father has been drafted into Khan's army to fight the Tartars, she is shocked--her father is far too old and weak to go to war. She forms a brave plan, which her family reluctantly accepts, and, "At dawn she cut her hair short, put on her father's armor, and fastened his weapons to the horse's saddle."

Fa Mulan is excited and afraid, and soon finds herself engaged in fierce combat with the Tartars. She studies the art of war, and becomes skilled with the sword. As her accomplishments gain fame, she is called to appear before the Khan in the royal city of Loyang. Fearing the discovery of her true gender, Mulan is anxious about the consequences for her family. But she needn't have worried; "'General,' the Khan began, 'you have served me well and have brought honor to your family. Your deeds are enough to fill twelve books. I give you a thousand strings of copper coins as a reward. What else do you wish?'" Relieved, the woman warrior simply asks to go home.

The noble story of this legendary Chinese heroine has inspired poets, writers, artists, dramatists, and readers worldwide for centuries. This particular retelling dates back to the earliest versions of The Song of Mulan, probably composed during the Northern and Southern Dynasties (A.D. 420 to A.D. 589). San Souci's carefully researched interpretation of the ancient story is gentle, dramatic, and inspiring, and the Tsengs' beautiful, expressive watercolor paintings, bordered top and bottom like a Chinese scroll, are lovely. (Ages 7 and older) --Karin Snelson

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (January 1, 1900)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786803460
• ISBN-13: 978-0786803460
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,083,396 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #54 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Asian

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forget Disney's version of Mulan!, December 17, 2000

By 

Damien (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: FA Mulan: The Story of a Woman Warrior (Hardcover)

Forget Disney's version of Mulan! Robert San Souci's adaptation fleshes the simple storyline, symbolism and imagery of the original Chinese poem, with imaginative use of details such as the use of The Art of War by Mulan as a commander. In addition, Mulan's filial piety is portrayed fittingly as she sought her parent's approval to join the army instead of running away from home. Mulan's feelings of romance for her comrades and fear of punishment by her ruler serve to endear us, just as her courage and wits impress us, making this a tale suitable for the young and old.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A lot of work for a 2nd grader to read, November 16, 2005

By 

Robert Hyneman "bob hyneman" (Selden (Long Island), NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: FA Mulan: The Story of a Woman Warrior (Paperback)

This is great story, well written and well illustrated.

If you are looking for a story to read TO your youngster, I highly recommend it. If you are looking for a story your yonugster will read to you, keep looking.

My son and I both enjoy this story very much.
But with 8-9 sentences per page,
sentences that average 10+ words,
and 12-point type throughout,
it takes the fun out of reading for any reader 2nd grade or below.

I bought this because I thought my son
(2nd grade reading level) could read it to me.

He can, but sentences with like
"Her mount suddenly lurched sideways, forcing the enemy's horse to buck and rear, unsettling the rider.
Taking this advantage, Mulan delivered a fatal thrust, and the man tumbled into the dust."
it is work for him.

Contrast that with (from an ACTUAL K-2 reading-level book)
"Inside the Mecha-Misquito Mr. Misquito was getting very angry. he knocked on the bathroom door."
- Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot Adventures

And contrast it with (from and actual Gr 2-3 reading-level book)
"Although there are thousands of private detectives in the United States, the town of Idaville had but one."
-Encyclopedia Brown Brown Solves Them All

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE this book, and so does my son.
But it is advertised as "Reading level: Ages 4-8"
and it is not.

Get it to read to your child.
Don't get it for your child to read to you.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars stunningly beautiful, April 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: FA Mulan: The Story of a Woman Warrior (Hardcover)

The illustrations in San Souci's retelling of the popular traditional Chinese story of Fa Mulan are stunningly beautiful. The artist creates each page to look like an ancient scroll. The story itself is simply and powerfully told. I highly recommend this book especially for young girls and young women.