When a poor boy in China receives a magical paintbrush, everything he paints turns to life. But the wicked emperor wants to capture the boy when he hears the news. The story will excite readers as the ruler gets his just reward when the boy creates a masterpiece that spells his doom.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Whatever a beggar boy paints with his brush comes to life, in a masterful story that glows with Demi's jewel-like art. A Reading Rainbow selection. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"Demi's telling matches her art in fantastic effects in her new book, a tale suggested by an ancient Chinese legend. Delicate shades of gold and blue contrast with fiery scarlets in surpassingly beautiful and authentic pictures showing strange happenings when a poor beggar boy, Liang, receives a magic paintbrush." --Publishers Weekly
"Beautiful full-color illustrations portray this ancient Chinese folktale in which Liang's wit helps him thwart a greedy emperor's plan."--Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies
"The perennially popular story of Ma Liang and his magic paintbrush is here made into an attractive picture book.... Demi's fine line and watercolor drawings are full of elaborate details which will entice readers to look and look again." --School Library Journal
"Beautiful full-color illustrations portray this ancient Chinese folktale in which Liang's wit helps him thwart a greedy emperor's plan."--Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies
"The perennially popular story of Ma Liang and his magic paintbrush is here made into an attractive picture book.... Demi's fine line and watercolor drawings are full of elaborate details which will entice readers to look and look again." --School Library Journal
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More About the Author
Demi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and now lives in Yarrow Point, Washington. Demi is the author and illustrator of more than one hundred children's books, including picture-book biographies. Her work has received numerous awards and accolades.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A resourceful boy triumphs over evil...,
By A Customer
This review is from: Liang and the Magic Paintbrush (Reading Rainbow Books) (Paperback)
In this lively tale, a poor boy in China who longs to paint is given a magic paintbrush by a mysterious visitor. Suddenly the boy has the power to bring life to things that he paints. Liang uses this gift for good, until he must use his skill to outsmart an evil emperor who wants to use the magic brush for his own greedy purposes. The ending is a bit troublesome- not as completely fair and peaceful as we might like - but then, the tale is based on an old Chinese legend which, like Grimms' fairy tales, were probably a lot more scary than story books today. Still, the story is wonderful and exciting and the illustrations, though subtle, are lovely --delicate but colorful ink and watercolor drawings with lots of detail.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but not Demi's best,
By JH (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Liang and the Magic Paintbrush (Reading Rainbow Books) (Paperback)
This is a simple story with beautiful pictures, though it's not particularly engaging. Neither my kids nor I enjoy it as much as our other Demi favorites -- One Grain of Rice, Firebird, and The Empty Pot -- which we adore. These other three not only have superlative pictures but wonderful stories, each in different ways.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Superb Triumph!,
This review is from: Liang and the Magic Paintbrush (Reading Rainbow Books) (Paperback)
The balance in the book is unique. The use of colors and drawn representations indicates the author/illustrator's appreciation and knowledge. A balance of the feel of famous Chinese art while still being Demi's eyes and heart. The study respects the societal thinking which can be both charitable, rewarding as well as harsh. The depiction of the boy defying the emperor's army is classic. The book can be a doorway into many concepts of life and culture, past and present.The endeavor is not sugar coated, or frightening to view or envision. The book is worthwhile without regard to either skimming through it or pausing to drink in every aspect of each page, words and illustrations.
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Inside This Book
(learn more)
First Sentence:
Long ago in China, a boy named Liang earned money gathering firewood and cutting reeds. Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Long ago in China, a boy named Liang earned money gathering firewood and cutting reeds. Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 1
book:
6
books
cite this book:
See all 6 books citing this book
- The Empty Pot (An Owlet Book) by Demi in Back Matter
- Please Touch by Susan Striker in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- A Dramatic Approach to Reading Comprehension: Strategies and Activities for Classroom Teachers by Lenore Blank Kelner on page 167, page 209, and Back Matter
- Young at Art: Teaching Toddlers Self-Expression, Problem-Solving Skills, and an Appreciation for Art by Susan Striker on page 191, and page 199
- Cooking Up World History: Multicultural Recipes and Resources by Patricia C. Marden on page 38
- Torah Alive! An Early Childhood Torah Curriculum by Lorraine Posner Arcus in Back Matter
See all 6 books citing this book
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