The Emperor and the Kite

The Emperor and the Kite is a picture book set in Imperial China that follows Djeow Seow, the youngest daughter of an emperor who rules over a vast kingdom. The emperor, busy with his other seven children, pays little attention to his smallest daughter. When dangerous men imprison the emperor in a tower and spread false news of his death, only Djeow Seow knows the truth of his whereabouts. She must use her experience flying kites alone in the palace courtyards to help save her father. The story is brought to life through Ed Young's traditional Chinese art style, which earned the book a Caldecott Honor Medal in 1968. The illustrations create a rich visual backdrop for this 32-page tale. The narrative explores themes of familial devotion and the power of the overlooked, suggesting that even those who seem insignificant can possess great strength and courage.

Readers appreciate the message about how small acts of kindness and determination can make a big difference. Parents highlight the book's representation of a daughter who proves her worth despite being overlooked. The Caldecott Honor-winning illustrations by Ed Young receive frequent mention in reviews for their delicate watercolors and Chinese artistic style. Multiple readers note how the art enhances the fairy tale atmosphere. Some readers find the story too short and simplified compared to other folk tales. A few mention their children losing interest before the end due to the slower pacing. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (876 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) Common reader comments: "The artwork alone makes this worth reading" - Goodreads reviewer "Beautiful message but my 5-year-old got restless" - Amazon parent "A refreshing princess story where she actively saves the day" - School librarian on Goodreads

The Empty Pot by Demi A Chinese boy demonstrates honesty to the Emperor through a gardening challenge that determines who will become the next ruler.

The Seven Chinese Sisters by Kathy Tucker Seven sisters use their unique abilities to rescue their youngest sibling from a dragon in this tale of family bonds and courage.

The Dragon Prince by Laurence Yep A poor farmer's daughter marries a dragon prince and proves her worth to his mother through three impossible tasks.

The Magical Monkey King by Ji-li Jiang The legendary Monkey King uses wit and determination to overcome obstacles on his journey to enlightenment.

The Paper Crane by Molly Bang A restaurant owner's kindness to a stranger results in a gift that brings fortune through a magical paper crane.

🔸 The book won a Caldecott Honor in 1968 for Ed Young's stunning illustrations, which blend traditional Chinese art techniques with modern sensibilities. 🔸 Author Jane Yolen has written over 400 books and is often called the "Hans Christian Andersen of America" for her contributions to children's literature. 🔸 Kites were indeed invented in China around 500 BCE, and were initially used for military purposes before becoming recreational toys. 🔸 The story reflects the Chinese tradition of youngest daughters being historically overlooked in favor of their older siblings, especially in royal families. 🔸 Jane Yolen drew inspiration for this story from ancient Chinese folktales and spent significant time researching Imperial Chinese court customs and architecture.