Product Description

Four superbly written stories give a picture of life in a small Asian village at the turn of the century. A trip planned and canceled, a lost bicycle, a kite, and a wealthy visitor bring excitement to the village. Full of insight and subtle humor, the tales explore family relationships and celebrate the joys of community life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4004157 in Books
• Published on: 1998-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 48 pages

From School Library Journal

Gr 3-5--Four stories chronicle the adventures of the people in a remote Asian village touched in different ways by outside technology or people. In one story, clever Little Orchid senses her grandfather's reluctance to leave the village to visit an old friend and figures out a way to help him; in another, the two celebrate Grandfather's birthday following a strange visit from a wealthy and demanding outsider. The text contains elements found in traditional folktales. Vivid watercolor, gouache, and pen-and-ink illustrations alternate between panoramic scenes of village life that vaguely resemble Asian art and close-ups of characters that underscore the action in the narrative. Neither text nor illustrations, however, are entirely specific to any Asian culture; instead, they seem more impressionistic. This well-designed book is suitable for classroom reading (though the illustrations would not be) or reading alone. An additional purchase for larger collections.

Tana Elias, Meadowridge Branch Library, Madison, WI

Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Barrie Baker grew up on the prairies. He is now a teacher who lives with his wife and dogs on Vancouver Island. Barry tells aspiring young writers to write and write and write, to be critical of the work, but not judgmental about it.

Stéphane Jorish is an award-winning artist and designer born in Brussels, Belgium. His father was an illustrator of comic strips for European daily newspapers, and was a great influence on him. Stéphane believes that curiosity and a keen sense of observation are most important for an aspiring writer or artist.