The Seven Chinese Brothers (Blue Ribbon Book) [Paperback]

Margaret Mahy (Author), Mou-Sien Tseng (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1992 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Series: Blue Ribbon Book | Lexile Measure: 820L (What's this?)

A magnificently illustrated and authentic retelling of the classic Chinese folktale of the seven brothers and their supernatural gifts. "Exceptional." - School Library Journal, starred review

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In colorful language well suited to a story of ingenuity and valor, Mahy presents the Chinese folktale about brothers with amazing powers. Although the broad outline is the same as The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop, illustrated by Kurt Wiese (first published in 1938), Mahy's stirring retelling is very different from and just as good as the earlier effort. She has elaborated on the story, spicing it with more action and adding ironic humor. Replete with striking character portraits, the Tsengs' dramatic watercolors evoke the Orient and provide authentic, historical details. As in all fine picture books, text and illustrations blend, creating an inviting world for young readers and listeners and heightening the story's dramatic impact. Children will be caught up in the many narrow escapes and will benefit from the subtle lesson on the importance of working together. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-- The seven brothers walk, talk, and look alike, but each has his own special power. When the third brother runs afoul of the emperor and is sentenced to be beheaded, the fourth brother, who has bones of iron, takes his place. The emperor then tries drowning and burning but each time a different brother foils his scheme. Mahy retells this traditional Chinese tale in graceful, witty prose. She uses classic storytelling elements to their best advantage and, without any attempt to imitate Chinese syntax, her choice of words gives a feeling of time and place. Both jacket notes and an editor's foreword give background information about the tale. Beginning with the cover, which shows the smiling brothers looming over a cowering emperor, the Tsengs' rich watercolors complement and enhance the story. With great skill, they interweave elements of ancient Chinese painting with lively pictorial storytelling. The emperor, encased in voluminous ceremonial robes, is an embodiment of corrupt yet insecure power, and the beautiful faces of the seven brothers, although alike, glow with life. Many readers will be familiar with the classic Claire Bishop/Kurt Wiese version of the The Five Chinese Brothers (Coward-McCann, 1938). The style of both text and illustrations is so different from the Mahy/Tseng book that comparisions are inappropriate. An exceptional new telling of the story. --Karen James, Louisville Free Public Library, KY
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks; Reprint edition (July 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590420577
• ISBN-13: 978-0590420570
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 10.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #93,331 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Explore the World > Asia

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Read to Your Child to Develop Bonding and Intellect July 31, 2000

By Donald Mitchell HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Researchers constantly find that reading to children is valuable in a variety of ways, not least of which are instilling a love of reading and improved reading skills. With better parent-child bonding from reading, your child will also be more emotionally secure and able to relate better to others. Intellectual performance will expand as well. Spending time together watching television fails as a substitute.

To help other parents apply this advice, as a parent of four I consulted an expert, our youngest child, and asked her to share with me her favorite books that were read to her as a young child. The Seven Chinese Brothers was one of her picks.

The Seven Chinese Brothers is for children who are past the time when they are easily frightened because they take everthing very literally, because the brothers face death at the hands of the Chinese emperor in this story.

The seven brothers are precursors to the modern comic book super heroes that are so popular. Each has an unusual skill. The first has remarkable hearing. The second can see over vast distances. The third has unusual strength. The fourth has bones of iron. The fifth has legs that can grow as long and thick as tree trunks. The sixth brother can never be too hot. The seventh brother can cry such large tears that they can drown an entire village. Much effort goes into keeping him happy. The key to the story is that they look alike.

The brothers discern that the emperor is mistreating his workers at the Great Wall of China. The strong brother goes to help out, and the emperor becomes afraid. Through great imagination in employing their remarkable talents, teamwork, and an indomitable spirit, the brothers survive the wrath of the emperor....

This book is good for encouraging children to realize that obstacles, even those that seem insurmountable at first, can be overcome. It is also a wonderful story for encouraging families to stick together. The family of Chinese brothers can accomplish much, much more than any brother alone. Also, your child may be a little frightened by the emperor's attempts to execute the brothers, so it is good to be able to explain the protections in your own society that would prevent this from happening to you or your child.

The story is told in a simple, delightful way. The illustrations are based on water colors, which gives the book a quality feel that will endear it to many children.

Although my daughter is often upset by violence, she loved this story, so don't assume it is only for boys!

Overcome your misconceptions that only mild stories are appropriate for young children when you read to them. Just to be on the safe side, you may want to read this one in the morning for the first time. That will reduce the chance of nightmares! Read more ›

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars I Still Like 5 Chinese Brothers Better March 28, 2004

By Nadirah Nayo

Format:Paperback

I, like many other reviewers, grew up on The Five Chinese Brothers. I always loved that book - not for its pictures but for its message. It is about family and I was kind of surprised that there were no parent in the new version. After reading Seven Chinese Brothers, I still like the original the best. I agree with another reviewer that we try to shield our children from everything instead of discussing things with them. Stories are not just meant to be read but discussed. It is true that the pictures in the current version are more colorful and more appealing to the flash and dazzle to which many of our children have become so accustomed. But try having the children focus on the message and not the beauty or lack thereof of the messenger.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ai Ya! This is a great book! October 22, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I'd say for 6 years and up. We all love this one and never tire of it. It's alot of fun and shows a supportive set of siblings. Illustrations are especially good.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful color illustrations. May 20, 2002

By MLPlayfair VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

The introduction to this book describes the story as a classic tall tale and gives some historical background information on the story. There's no mama here, as in THE FIVE CHINESE BROTHERS, which is not a prequel, but is basically the same story. This one (7 brothers) is SO much better than the other! There's more action here, and the beautiful, colorful illustrations are wonderful and have movement and detail. I think the two books cost the same. I'd get this one!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Seven Chinese Brothers June 30, 2005

A Kid's Review

Format:Paperback

Have you read the book called "The Seven Chinese Brothers"?

The story is mainly about seven brothers who want to help people. Each brother has a special gift of power. Each of the brothers gets in trouble and help each other when they get in trouble. I hope you like it.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Avoids the stereotypes of the earlier version December 12, 2001

By Miami Nights

Format:School & Library Binding|Amazon Verified Purchase

I won't spend my time discussing the storyline, since most readers will be familiar with it.

This book is better than the earlier version of "Seven Chinese Brothers" I grew up with, yet it lack that book's superior pacing and melodic flow.

But still, this book is the better one in that it is conscious of the stereotypes permeating throughout the earlier version and thus eliminates them.

The ending could have been stronger since it seems to end hanging in mid-air.

The illustrations are superior to the previous version with an Asian-influenced use of watercolor.

The main problem is that, overall, the book doesn't disappoint, yet nor does it impress. A solid, somewhat lackluster book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good boy version of a classic tale July 2, 2012

By Kelly J Raudenbush

Format:Paperback

Another version of basically the same tale, The Seven Chinese Brothers tells the story of seven brothers each with a different special power (amazing hearing, amazing vision, strength, iron bones, legs that could grow, never getting hot, and crying tears to drown a village...not exactly a great super power there). Feeling threatened by the strength of one man, the Emperor decides to execute the third brother. Together, the brothers outwit the Emperor and are all saved as the two armies are swept away along with the Emperor at the hands (...or tears) of the baby brother. An amusing little tale about working together as a team but probably too much for a sensitive listener--threats of decapitation, drowning, being burned alive, and shot full of arrows....hmmm....not so good for bedtime reading.

If you want to read my reviews of 35 books having to do with China for kids, go to my 7/2/2012 post on myoverthinking(dot)com

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My Son Liked This Book a Lot... September 20, 2008

By Giordano Bruno

Format:Paperback

... and that's the best review I can give it. We read it together in the Spanish-language edition, with the same colorful illustrations. If there's a moral to the story, it has to do with solidarity between the brothers, recognition of differing skills, appreciation of each other's worth.

There's another book called The Five Chinese Brothers, which perhaps teaches the same lessons in a less 'terrifying' narrative. My thought is that both books belong in a good children's library, along with the story of the Chinese girl who goes to war in her father's stead. American children deserve some taste of the heroism of China to counteract the still-rampant discrimination against all things Chinese.