The Royal Bee [Hardcover]

Frances Park (Author), Ginger Park (Author), Christopher Zhong-Yuan Zhang (Illustrator), Christopher Zhong-Yuan Zhang (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

In the days when only wealthy Korean children are allowed to attend school, a poor boy named Song-ho learns by listening outside a schoolroom door, which eventually earns him a chance to better himself and make life easier for his widowed mother.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Park sisters once again look back to their Korean roots for inspiration, but this time they undermine the suspense employed to such strong effect in their debut, My Freedom Trip. Song-ho, a sangmin boy, performs household chores dressed in rags while the privileged yangban dress in finery, attend school and compete in the Royal Bee at the Governor's palace. One day, Master Min catches Song-ho eavesdropping at the schoolroom door. When Song-ho asks the master if he can become his pupil, learn to read and write and thus "earn a good living for his mother," the man dismisses the boy. Readers may be confounded when a turn of the page reveals an abrupt about-face; the story line plants Song-ho firmly inside the classroom where he is inexplicably accepted into the school ("After each yangban pupil in the classroom had tested Song-ho, Master Min spoke: 'Welcome to the Sodang School, Song-ho' "). This clumsy transition at the plot's pivotal point cuts into the credibility and flow of the tale. A similar narrative leap omits the boy's climb to the top of the class and his peers' growing respect, which results in their selecting him as representative of the school for the Royal Bee competition. Rendered in oil paints on board, Zhong-Yuan Zhang's (Moon Festival) inconsistent paintings intermittently depict characters as blurred or wooden, yet successfully convey the likable hero's sincerity and determination. Ages 6-9. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Inspired by the childhood experiences of the authors' grandfather in the late 19th century, this moving story tells about a poor Korean boy who perseveres in getting an education, thereby raising himself and his mother out of poverty. Drawn away from his household chores by the sound of the school bell in the valley, Song-ho is told by the master that only the privileged yangban children may attend. Each day, however, the boy listens outside the door. One cold morning, the kind master invites him in. Successfully answering the pupils' study-based questions, Song-ho is not only allowed to join the school, but is also selected later to represent it in The Royal Bee, where the best student in the land is determined. His final answer to "What does winning The Royal Bee mean to you?" brings him a standing ovation and the winner's rewards. This simply and eloquently told tale is well paired with large, bold oil-paint-on-board illustrations. The soft earth-tone palette brightens to capture the excitement of The Royal Bee at the Governor's palace. A fine work portraying the culture of a Korea 100 years ago.
Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Library, VA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press; 1st edition (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563976145
• ISBN-13: 978-1563976148
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,303,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Royal Bee is a royal treasure!, February 5, 2001

By 

Tara Angiolilli (Gainesville, FL, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Royal Bee (Hardcover)

This book's underlying issue is the idea that the pursuit of literacy is, consequently, the pursuit of a dream and a way out of poverty. In fact, Song-ho often repeats the phrase, "If I only knew how to read and write..." The message is clear--through persistence, dedication, and with a kind heart, one can achieve anything he or she puts his or her mind to. I believe this book to be very enlightening for children who have difficulties in school, especially if a classroom teacher or parent discusses the book from a critical, socially aware point of view. Illuminate children to the fact that "poor" children are nonetheless very rich in heart and spirit, and are as hopeful as any child. Also point out that even though this book takes place in the nineteenth century, its theme will resonate for any generation. I recommend this book wholeheartedly!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get this book!, October 26, 2008

By 

J. DuBose "bibliophilly" (Snellville, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Royal Bee (Paperback)

This is a book I use with first graders to introduce the comprehension concepts of questioning, and predicting. They love the rich illustrations. The cover gives no hint as to what the "bee" is. The way their understanding of the story unfolds is wonderful. I highly recommend this book for teachers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, February 16, 2009

By 

Trixie Kyritsis "Trixie" (Oakville, Ontario - Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Royal Bee (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book about perserverance and teaching children about social justice. I have used it a number of times with students and highly recommend it. So many different ways to use a teacher!