(3) K-3 Illustrated by David Roberts. The humorously detailed watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations almost upstage this engaging reimagining of Andersen's tale, inspired by the author's reading of the story as a book-starved child during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. A young emperor concocts a plan involving ridiculous rice-sack clothing to fool his vain, greedy ministers and reclaim some of their ill-gotten gains for his people. Appended with an author's note and craft instructions.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Amazing Chinese Inventions series. Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. In bilingual editions of these original tales (Chinese texts not evaluated), the clever Kang brothers tackle various challenges: eating hot food (Chopsticks), scaring birds from their rice fields (Kites), salvaging their mother's botched cooking-contest entry (Noodles), and saving face at school (Paper). Bold images, reminiscent of traditional Chinese cut-paper designs, illustrate the tales. An author's note provides brief history of each invention. Recipe/activity appended. Review covers these Amazing Chinese Inventions titles: The Story of Chopsticks, The Story of Kites, The Story of Noodles, The Story of Paper.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Amazing Chinese Inventions series. Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. In bilingual editions of these original tales (Chinese texts not evaluated), the clever Kang brothers tackle various challenges: eating hot food (Chopsticks), scaring birds from their rice fields (Kites), salvaging their mother's botched cooking-contest entry (Noodles), and saving face at school (Paper). Bold images, reminiscent of traditional Chinese cut-paper designs, illustrate the tales. An author's note provides brief history of each invention. Recipe/activity appended. Review covers these Amazing Chinese Inventions titles: The Story of Chopsticks, The Story of Kites, The Story of Noodles, The Story of Paper.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Amazing Chinese Inventions series. Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. In bilingual editions of these original tales (Chinese texts not evaluated), the clever Kang brothers tackle various challenges: eating hot food (Chopsticks), scaring birds from their rice fields (Kites), salvaging their mother's botched cooking-contest entry (Noodles), and saving face at school (Paper). Bold images, reminiscent of traditional Chinese cut-paper designs, illustrate the tales. An author's note provides brief history of each invention. Recipe/activity appended. Review covers these Amazing Chinese Inventions titles: The Story of Chopsticks, The Story of Kites, The Story of Noodles, The Story of Paper.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Amazing Chinese Inventions series. Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. In bilingual editions of these original tales (Chinese texts not evaluated), the clever Kang brothers tackle various challenges: eating hot food (Chopsticks), scaring birds from their rice fields (Kites), salvaging their mother's botched cooking-contest entry (Noodles), and saving face at school (Paper). Bold images, reminiscent of traditional Chinese cut-paper designs, illustrate the tales. An author's note provides brief history of each invention. Recipe/activity appended. Review covers these Amazing Chinese Inventions titles: The Story of Chopsticks, The Story of Kites, The Story of Noodles, The Story of Paper.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Translated by Carissa Duan. Illustrated by James Yamasaki. In the English/Chinese bilingual edition (Chinese translation not evaluated) of an original fable, a hungry ghost in Beijing sets his sights on a plump little boy. The clever kid convinces the ghost to follow a recipe for "boy dumplings" ("1 chubby boy, 10 pounds stinky garlic..."), which requires many distracting errands for supplies. Ghoulish watercolor illustrations occasionally veer into garish territory.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 Ming and his archaeologist father live a rough life in Communist China. When an imperial tomb is discovered in their village, Ming befriends a clay soldier that comes to life. The soldier tells stories about Emperor Qin's ancient China while helping Ming protect the site. Ironically, the clay soldier is the most fully realized character in this accessible if purposeful novel. Glos.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Yan Nascimbene. Vinson is his American name, but his grandfather, visiting from China, calls him by his Chinese name, Ming Da. Grandpa teaches his impatient grandson the slow, careful exercises of tai chi, and eventually he and Ming Da play a pivotal role in the Chinese New Year parade. Realistic, luminous watercolor illustrations show the family’s balance of the traditional and the modern.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2012

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sebastià Serra. Set in long-ago China, this story tells of Ming Zhang and his poor but deserving family. On New Year's Eve, Ming buys a magical wok, which promptly sets out to transfer riches from the greedy Li family to the Zhangs, who share it with others. The detailed, vigorous illustrations reflect the mischievous wok's energy. A recipe and Chinese New Year festival facts are appended.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Illustrated by James Yamasaki. In this tantalizing original fable, a hungry ghost in Beijing sets his sights on a plump little boy. The clever kid convinces the ghost to follow a recipe for "boy dumplings" ("1 chubby boy, 10 pounds stinky garlic..."), which requires many distracting errands for supplies. Ghoulish watercolor illustrations occasionally step over the line between spooky and garish.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) YA Illustrated by Coleman Polhemus. According to Chinese tradition, hungry ghosts are appeased with food. So, while these grisly ghost stories introduce various elements of Chinese history and culture, Chinese cuisine also plays a key role. The collection offers up enough fright--and food--to keep readers returning for seconds. Each tale is followed by historical notes and a recipe; together they represent an eight-course banquet.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2009

(3) YA Inspired by Compestine's own experience, this vivid novel tells the absorbing story of Ling, a Chinese girl who grows up during the Cultural Revolution. For four years, Ling endures hardship and persecution, including her beloved father's imprisonment. She discovers within herself a fierce will to survive that sustains her until Mao's death signals a change in China's politics.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch. In this version of a legend from southeast China, a pompous fisherman is outsmarted by his three helpers and ends up doing all the work to make a delicious soup. Though the narration is stilted, readers will giggle over Jorisch's watercolors showing what's actually going on as the fisherman brags, "I invented the real stone soup." A recipe is included.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt