Wan Hu Is in the Stars - Hardcover

Armstrong, Jennifer

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0688124585 ISBN 13: 9780688124588

Publisher: Tambourine, 1995

Synopsis

Absent-minded poet Wan Hu is so curious about the stars that finally, after several unsuccessful attempts, he finds a way to travel among them

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

Just as she did in her acclaimed Chin Yu Min and the Ginger Cat, Armstrong uses simple, elegant prose to conjure up the mystical beauty of Chinese folklore. Wan Hu, the hero of this original tale, suffers from classic poet's distraction, endlessly musing about the stars, unaware that he is wearing only one shoe or sporting a rice pot instead of a hat. While the rest of the villagers scoff at the poet's "foolish dreams," the kindly gardener listens to Wan Hu's ambitions of traveling to the heavens to be among the stars. First Wan Hu climbs the highest mountain, then he harnesses a flock of geese so that they might lift him up into the sky. Finally, inspired by a fireworks display, Wan Hu builds himself a contraption that catapults him into the air and out of sight. Root's (Two Cool Cats, reviewed above) full-bleed gouaches perfectly complements the gentle buoyancy of the narrative. Muted purples, oranges and greens capture the charm of the Chinese landscape, and the final spread depicting the lotus flower of Wan Hu's robe among the constellations in the night sky will inspire a host of believers. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist:

Ages 5^-7. Oblivious to the stares and name-calling of the people in his ancient Chinese village, poet Wan Hu embarks on a series of adventures in an attempt to satisfy his "only hope and one desire to be among the stars and learn the secret of their majesty." His first two plans fail miserably, but during a village celebration, he is inspired by the great fireworks exploding in the heavens. With 47 rocket fireworks tied to his bamboo chair, he flies off with a blissful smile on his face, leaving the townspeople wondering. Full-color double-page spreads illustrate Wan Hu's wild schemes with humorous detail and create a serene Chinese landscape against which the poet's dream is finally realized. An entertaining way to generate adult-child discussion about the stars and planets. Lauren Peterson

About this edition

• Publisher: Tambourine
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0688124585
• ISBN 13: 9780688124588
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Root Barry