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The Empty Pot (An Owlet Book) (Paperback) (Paperback)
by Demi
| Category:
Honesty, Mind, Ages 4-8, Children's book |
| Market price: ¥ 98.00
MSL price:
¥ 88.00
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| Stock:
In Stock |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
The Empty Pot is a simple story that teaches how valuable honesty is. |
| If you want us to help you with the right titles you're looking for, or to make reading recommendations based on your needs, please contact our consultants. |
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Author |
Description |
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Reviews |
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Author: Demi
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Pub. in: September, 1996
ISBN: 0805049002
Pages: 32
Measurements: 9.9 x 10.0 x 0.1 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BC00111
Other information: Reprint edition
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Rate this product:
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- MSL Picks -
This simple story with its clear moral is illustrated with beautiful paintings. Each page contains a single picture, shaped like a stiff, rounded, paper fan and framed in celadon brocade that subtly changes pattern from one spread to the next. Isometric perspective, traditional Chinese architecture, and landscape motifs are combined with Demi's fine line and lively children and animals. While all the landscapes featuring the emperor and the other children are in brilliant red, gold, and purple, the scenes involving Ping alone are predominantly beige and delicate green. Ping is almost always shown as a solitary figure in contrast to the busy groups of running, smiling children, reinforcing the portrait of him as a quieter, more contemplative person whose values make him a worthy heir to the emperor. It is a beautifully crafted book that will be enjoyed as much for the richness of its illustrations as for the simplicity of its story.
Target readers:
Kids aged 4-8
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Demi was born Charlotte Dumaresq Hunt in an extended family of important American artists and her early memories of her mother's studio, and the famous people who surrounded her theatre involved father, were a strong influence on her life.
She attended the Instituto Allende in Guanajuato, Mexico, and Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles, then traveled to India on a Fullbright scholarship. From there she finally settled in New York where her career as an illustrator began.
Two strong influences sparked her interest in things Chinese - a book by Wang Kai called The Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting, written in 1679, and her husband shared the traditional stories of his youth with her. The influence of Chinese art flows into her work. She paints on silk and uses traditional ingredients in her paints, even adding powdered jade to the mix "for good fortune". She says, "Life is magic. Everything alive is magic. To capture life on paper is magic. To capture life on paper was the aim of Chinese painters. That is my aim, too."
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When the Chinese emperor proclaims that his successor will be the child who grows the most beautiful flowers from the seeds the emperor distributes, Ping is overjoyed. Like the emperor, he loves flowers and anything he plants bursts into bloom. But the emperor's seed will not grow, despite months of loving care, and Ping goes before the emperor carrying only his empty pot. The emperor ignores the beautiful blossoms brought by the other children and chooses Ping, revealing that the seeds he handed out had been cooked and could not grow.
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| View all 5 comments |
Melissa P. Cooper (MSL quote), Indianapolis, IN
<2006-12-31 00:00>
The artwork in this book is among the most exquisite I've ever seen in a children's book-or for that matter, in any book. Whatever the artist was paid, it wasn't enough! Everything-from the 50 or so little boys and girls to their flowers to the kimonos they wore for the presentation to the Emperor-was done in such minute detail, and no duplication in any of it. Each child had a personality and style all their own. Even if your child is a newborn or an infant, this book is worth getting just so the two of you can be dazzled by the visuals.
And the story!-no matter what your religion, creed, or background, the message is timeless. Ping's family and friends all know what a green thumb he has and you'd think he'd be a shoo-in for Emperor when the seeds are distributed. The flowers do decide who the next Emperor is . . . but not in the way you might think. There are two very wise men who figure prominently in this story: the Emperor and Ping's father, who tells Ping, "your best is good enough to present to the Emperor." And the unspoken message there is, "I'm proud of you, son, and I believe in you." Three cheers for Ping! |
P. Tripp (MSL quote), Northern Virginia
<2006-12-31 00:00>
Well, I guess 30 **5-Star Reviews** pretty much says it all. This book is just a delight. The artwork is good and the story is mesmerizing for adults and children alike.
As a mom of two young children I especially like that there are teaching points throughout in this book. First, there is Ping's persistence with the seed that just refuses to sprout. He tries again and again with different methods, and never says 'I can't' until there is no time left.
Then there is the fact that Ping and his father set their own standards and don't do what everyone else does. They remain honest in the face of great temptation, and neither looks to others to decide how to act.
[I have used this as a starting point of discussion with my own children to talk about how there will be circumstances in their lives in which other people are doing such-and-such and that they will feel pressured to go along with the crowd -yield to temptation- but that like Ping we have to act according to what is right.]
Five Stars. Nice Art. Good read-aloud. This book has a great story with good lessons.
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Anna B. Paesler (MSL quote), New York City
<2006-12-31 00:00>
If you are looking for good books for your children that do NOT place an emphasis on physical appearance (e.g., a Barbi image), a gamble and/or other inadvertently or advertently poor teachings found in books such as Cinderella, then The Empty Pot would make a great purchase for you. The Empty Pot is a simple story that teaches how valuable honesty is. It is a moral that not only children should be imbued with, but one that parents and all adults could stand to be reminded of. Also, The Empty Pot is a folk tale, which usually means it teaches a moral, unlike a fairy tale, which does not and may have a negative impact rather than just stimulating imagination. As a parent, it would behoove you to do searches for books under folk tales rather than fairy tales and to skim through them prior to purchase, as not all folk tales are of equal value. The Empty Pot is one of the best folk tales that I've come across in my search to buy great books for my extended family. |
Momma J. (MSL quote), Northern USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
This book amazed me. I picked it up at a garage sale with a stack of other kid's books, and after the first read I was hooked! This book is a treasure. The art is gorgeous and the story is masterfully told. I love the way the author delivers the moral message of the story-it is clear enough that children "get it" but at the same time it's never preachy or moralizing. Children as young as 3 will enjoy the story for its engaging pictures and the moral message is appropriate for any age. |
View all 5 comments |
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