Customer Reviews

The Lost Horse: A Chinese Folktale

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This is the second book I have read from Ed Young, a Caldecott Medalist from the city I live in - Tianjin, China. In The Lost Horse, Mr. Young beautifully retells a Chinese folktale. The story is about a wise man named Sai who lives on the northern frontier of China. One day his strong and fast horse is terrified by a thunderstorm and runs away. Everyone tries to comfort Sai for his loss, but he does not believe that losing his horse is necessary a bad thing. A few days later the horse returns with another strong and fast horse. Everyone congratulates Sai on his new blessings, but he does not believe it is necessary a good thing. The next month Sai's son rides the new horse and is thrown off. His leg breaks, and everyone once again tries to comfort Sai. Once again Sai says that what has occurred is not necessary a bad thing. Later in the year China is invaded and all able-bodied men have to fight. Many die in battle, but Sai's son did not have to go to war due to his injury. Sai's son learns from his father that life is full of twists and turns. Things may not always be as good or as bad as they may seem. Although this is a children's book, much can be gleaned from this story. Pastel and watercolor collages that are similar to traditional Chinese paintings compliment what Publishers Weekly says is among Young's best works. $7 is an absolute bargain for such a book. I highly recommend it.

I found this Ed Young retelling of the traditional folktale quite simply a delight. The pictures are soft and have a mystical quality. The text is simple and concise on each page and the tale has a humor and lesson that even first graders will appreciate. The addition of the puppets is sure to delight those children who like to pursue a story farther than a shared reading with Teacher and class.

Efficient text, coupled with sweeping illustrations, saturate this Chinese tale of happenstance and fortuosity. Sai is a wise man living in Northern China. Having few possessions, he takes things as they happen, for better or for worse. When his valued horse gets lost, he believes it may not be a bad thing; the horse then returns with a mare. Sai finds harmony in taking the bad with the good.

Young's artwork is portrayed in subdued oils that radiate with a chalk-like appearance. Soft hues fade into another, giving an impressionistic view of the Gobi Desert. The art is often too relaxed at times; on a few pages, the texture of the canvas is plainly visible. However, tinges of life in China hundreds of years ago take form for an indelible rendering. Display this recommended book with other Chinese folk tale picture books during Chinese New Year. Although targeted for 4-6 year olds, children up to age 8 will also enjoy this book.

I really liked this story. It is about how sometimes things that seem bad are really good and things that seem good are really bad.

Everyone should read this book.