The Five Chinese Brothers (Paperstar) [Paperback]

Claire Huchet Bishop (Author), Kurt Wiese (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Paperstar

The classic story about five clever brothers, each with a different extraordinary ability is "a dramatic retelling of an old Chinese tale." (The New York Public Library). " . . . when Bishop makes the tall brother stretch, the sea-swallower work, or the robust one hold his breath, young children will laugh and laugh."--New York Herald Tribune Books. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The beloved story of five brothers who use their special powers to rescue the First Brother from being unfairly put to death. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (June 18, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698113578
• ISBN-13: 978-0698113572
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 9.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (99 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,425 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Multicultural
  • #13 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Multicultural
  • #26 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Stories

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

186 of 196 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PC considerations aside, a memorable children's classic, June 22, 2002

By 

Lisa A. Adolf (Everett, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Five Chinese Brothers (Paperstar) (Paperback)

This charming book has taken a lot of heat in recent years for not being politically correct enough to suit modern sensibilites. The author and artist have been accused of non-PC conduct, the most famous charge being the representation of all Chinese as looking alike through out the book.

I remember reading this book as a young child back in the 60s and being entranced by its clever story of five look-alike brothers with supernatural powers who save their own from an unjust punishment. I've thought of this book many times over my 45 years, remembering it with a fondness and awe unmatched by many other books--children's or no, that I have read. I have only recently revisited this fondly remembered favorite, all too mindful of the criticisms launched against it, paying close attention to the text and art.

The book, originally written in 1938, deserves to be judged not by our modern sensibilities, but for where the world was at the time it was written. Keeping that in mind, the book becomes less the poster child for racism than a respectful retelling of an old Chinese folktale. Careful study of the artwork will reveal that aside from the identical brothers (and their resemblance to each other IS an unassailable plot point from the original folk story)
there is as much effort placed into creating depictions of peripheral characters as there generally is in any children's book. The pen and watercolor wash drawings are simplified as one would expect for the age group that is the target audience, but each person rendered is an individual in facial expression, hair style and dress. Complaining of the sameness of all Chinese depicted becomes mystifying--as aside from similar dress and skin tone used the charge proves to be specious. (And I don't hear anyone complaining the the "Where's Waldo" series was racist and again there, the resemblance of all people depicted is a plot devise to provide the puzzle).

If the criteria of our modern world is not met by a nearly 70 year old book, we are wasting too much time clucking over the artifacts of the past and not doing enough to improve racial unity in the real world. Chances are this charming tale won over many a young heart in is 64 years and possibly even compelled some of those young readers to explore Chinese culture and myth more closely.

70 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Asian and not offended, January 22, 2003

By 

Jann (NY,NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Five Chinese Brothers (Paperstar) (Paperback)

As a child this was one of my favorite tales. I am of asian descent and I was never offended by the images. I didn't find it scary, just fascinating. It was a tale that really let the imagination soar. People should be racially sensitive but not paranoid. In this era of cultural diversity, we should be able to see the humor. The caricatures are innocent not disrespectful. I feel bad for children whose parents feel the need to censor this from them. It is a fun, timeless story I plan to share with my children.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fond memory, September 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Five Chinese Brothers (Hardcover)

I was in first grade in 1974, it was the first time our class went to the library. The librarian discussed with us some books she had picked out and one was, The five chinese brothers. By the time she had finished describing the book I knew what book I wanted to check out. And when she gave the permission to look around, I ran for that book, and I read it, read it, and am getting to read it again 24 years later. I dont exactly know how, but I feel somehow that book helped me be..who I am, because I never forgot that memory.