The Hunter [Hardcover]

Mary Casanova (Author), Ed Young (Illustrator)

Book Description

Hai Li Bu is a good hunter, but not even he can find enough food for his village when the drought comes. The people grow thin and weak, the children rarely laugh -- but worst of all, they begin to argue and stop listening to one another.

Out on a hunt one day, Hai Li Bu saves a small snake from the beak of a crane. He is surprised to learn that he has rescued the daughter of the Dragon King of the Sea. The Dragon King offers Hai Li Bu the reward of his choice. Hai Li Bu asks only to know the language of animals. Then he can be a better hunter for his village. His wish is granted with a provision: He must never reveal the secret of his gift to anyone.

Hai Li Bu's people are saved from famine, but when he hears from the animals that a flood is coming that will destroy everything in his village, the people do not listen to him. "You ask us to leave our homes. How can we know what you say is true?" a village elder asks him. Now Hai Li Bu is faced with a terrible choice: to let the people of his village die in the flood or to reveal his secret, knowing the dire consequences for himself.

Caldecott Medal and Honor-winner Ed Young's magnificent illustrations bring this poignant traditional folktale to life.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In a Chinese village, a drought scorches the countryside and starves the people. Hai Li Bu, a hunter, tries to find food. One day, he saves a small snake from a crane, and in return the snake brings him to the bottom of the sea, where the snake's father, the Dragon King of the Sea, lives. The Dragon King offers rubies and emeralds as a reward, but Hai Li Bu wants only to understand the language of animals so that he can be a better hunter and feed his village. The Dragon King grants the request on the condition that there will never be a whisper of what has transpired. This agreement works until Hai Li Bu overhears the birds and animals chattering about a huge flood that will destroy the village. The hunter tries to warn the people, but they don't believe. Hai Li Bu finally realizes that to save the villagers he must tell them how he knows about the flood. Heroically, he recounts the whole story--as he slowly turns to stone. Casanova, who lists several sources for the story, tells the tale in a dignified yet moving way that is complemented by the stark artwork. Arid-looking, dun-colored paper is the background for Young's masterful brush strokes, which evoke the spirit of each spread. Fingers of color represent the quixotic climate that can burn or soak. With never a wasted line, Young brings to life the hunter, who in the final spread becomes one with the rocky landscape. And in the corner of each page is a bright red box with Chinese calligraphy that proclaims the essence of the tale: "suffer drought," "downpour," "trust." Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

This felicitous retelling of a Chinese folktale is about a young hunter, Hai Li Bu, and the pact he makes with the Dragon King of the Sea, during a time of drought and famine. What give the book its great distinction are the spare ink illustrations with subtle color washes by illustrator Ed Young. The reader/viewer has the sense of having been transported to ancient China and seeing the story unfold through the eyes of a gifted Chinese scroll painter. A rare work of picture-book art. A 2000 Parents' Choice® Gold Award.

Reviewed by Selma G. Lanes, Parents' Choice® 2000 -- From Parents' Choice®

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; 1st edition (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068982906X
• ISBN-13: 978-0689829062
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,700,318 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great pictures, excellent rendition and choice of story, November 18, 2000

By 

Scott Dier - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hunter (Hardcover)

I think the retelling of this story was an excellent choice. It has themes that are complicated dealing with selfishness, and the good of the whole, without spelling it out. Would be a great addition to my two little step-siblings book collection. I saw the Author reat this book at the Ruminator in St. Paul and enjoyed it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A taste of Chinese folklore, November 11, 2001

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hunter (Hardcover)

"The Hunter" is a Chinese folk tale retold by Mary Casanova, with illustrations by Ed Young. A note at the beginning of the book explains that the author first heard a version of this tale from an exchange student from China.

The book tells the story of Hai Li Bu, a hunter whose village is facing a drought and food shortage. But things change for the better after a magical encounter. Ultimately. Hai Li Bu faces a serious ethical challenge.

"The Hunter" is a well told story featuring a compelling hero. Kids who were turned on to Chinese culture by the film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" will, I believe, really appreciate this book.

Ed Young's artwork is certainly striking: mainly shades of brown and black, with a splotchy quality. But I think the illustrations may be a bit too "arty" and impressionistic; I had the feeling that the art was meant to appeal more to adults than to kids. Still, I recommend "the Hunter" for those seeking to develop a multicultural library of children's books.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Hunter: A Great Folktale for All Children, October 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Hunter (Hardcover)

It is said that the stone statue of Hai Li Bu continues to be seen atop a mountain in China. Given the gift of listening to animals to become a better hunter and feed his starving village, Hai Li Bu is sworn to secrecy by the Dragon King of the Sea about his powerful gift. However, in order to save his village he risks his own life and becomes forever, a part of Chinese traditional folklore. Mary Casanova does a fascinating job of writing a simple folktale in a detailed and interesting manner. She uses descriptive word combinations to convey rich colors and exciting characters. Casanova's text reads like a poem, such as when the Dragon King of the Sea shows Hai Li Bu, "sparkling red rubbies, ocean blue sapphires, and shimmering pink pearls." The illustrations further, compliment the story, with their abstract style and earth tone coloration. The Hunter - A Chinese Folktale, is a great read for children of all ages.