The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale
Written by Ying Chang Compestine
Illustrated by Sebastia Serra
Published: 2011 by Dutton Children’s Books, 32 pages
Ages: 6 – 8
Topics: Chinese New Year, generosity, humorous
Ming Zhang’s family is poor and cannot afford an extravagant feast for their Chinese New Year. However, Ming’s mother states that they’ll make fried rice to share. Ming is given instructions to get food from the market, but instead he’s tricked to buy a singing wok: “Boy, boy trade for me, I am more than what you see!” Of course, his mother is upset that he returned with no food and an old wok when they have no food to cook with. The wok runs away to the rich Li family who Papa works for. The wok takes all their delicious food and skips back to the Zhang household. The wok dashes away again to the Li house and fills up with the spoiled son’s New Years toys. The Li family discover the wok’s mischief , but the wok states: “I dare you there to try to catch me!” Meanwhile, the Zhang family was generous and held a wonderful New Year’s celebration with dragons, drums, and fireworks. It had the combination of Jack and the Beanstalk buying the magic beans and the Gingerbread Man who couldn’t be caught. The back of the book provides Chinese New Year information and a fried rice recipe.
Just beautiful. a story that captures the mind , heart and imagination. I remember my son when you wrote, ” the wok states: “I dare you there to try to catch me.” My son loves to play, “catch me if you can.” His laughter fills my house when I try to catch him….Have a blessed , wonderful day.
Oh what child doesn’t enjoy teasing adults to catch them? I’m sure his laughter while you play is delightful. Thanks for stopping by.
Sounds like a fun story! The illustrations are really nice
Yes, it’s a fun book for the Chinese New Year! Thanks for your comment.