Arlene Mosel

Illustrated Chinese folk tale describes how the Chinese came to give all their children short names

An illustrated Chinese folk tale describes how the Chinese came to give all of their children short names.

When the eldest son fell in the well and most of the time getting help was spent pronouncing the name of the one in trouble, the Chinese, according to legend, decided to give all their children short names.

When the eldest son fell in the well and most of the time getting help was spent pronouncing the name of the one in trouble, the Chinese, according to legend, decided to give all their children short names.

In this Caldecott Medal-winning tale set in Old Japan, a lively little woman who loves to laugh pursues her runaway dumpling?and must outwit the wicked three-eyed oni when she lands in their clutches....

Now available in paperback, this classic Chinese legend tells the story of a boy who nearly drowns in a well because his brother cannot pronounce his very, very long name fast enough for an old man to save him. The lovely drawings capture the beauty of rural China. Full color.