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Title: The Five Chinese Brothers (Paperstar) by Claire Huchet Bishop, Kurt Wiese ISBN: 0-698-11357-8 Publisher: PaperStar Book Pub. Date: 01 June, 1996 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.29 (34 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: PC considerations aside, a memorable children's classic
Comment: This charming book has taken a lot of heat in recent years for not being politically correct enough to suit modern sensibilites. The author and artist have been accused of non-PC conduct, the most famous charge being the representation of all Chinese as looking alike through out the book.
I remember reading this book as a young child back in the 60s and being entranced by its clever story of five look-alike brothers with supernatural powers who save their own from an unjust punishment. I've thought of this book many times over my 45 years, remembering it with a fondness and awe unmatched by many other books--children's or no, that I have read. I have only recently revisited this fondly remembered favorite, all too mindful of the criticisms launched against it, paying close attention to the text and art.
The book, originally written in 1938, deserves to be judged not by our modern sensibilities, but for where the world was at the time it was written. Keeping that in mind, the book becomes less the poster child for racism than a respectful retelling of an old Chinese folktale. Careful study of the artwork will reveal that aside from the identical brothers (and their resemblance to each other IS an unassailable plot point from the original folk story)
there is as much effort placed into creating depictions of peripheral characters as there generally is in any children's book. The pen and watercolor wash drawings are simplified as one would expect for the age group that is the target audience, but each person rendered is an individual in facial expression, hair style and dress. Complaining of the sameness of all Chinese depicted becomes mystifying--as aside from similar dress and skin tone used the charge proves to be specious. (And I don't hear anyone complaining the the "Where's Waldo" series was racist and again there, the resemblance of all people depicted is a plot devise to provide the puzzle).
If the criteria of our modern world is not met by a nearly 70 year old book, we are wasting too much time clucking over the artifacts of the past and not doing enough to improve racial unity in the real world. Chances are this charming tale won over many a young heart in is 64 years and possibly even compelled some of those young readers to explore Chinese culture and myth more closely.
Rating: 5
Summary: Cornerstone of my Childhood
Comment: This is one of my absolute favorite children's stories. I would always make my mother get it from our public library. I know the story by heart, and I haven't heard it or read it in over 10 years!! The story is simple but so entertaining. I remember being amazed at the 'special powers' each brother had. I also thought it was nice how the brother would always ask for permission to say goodbye to his mother and brothers before each new execution attempt. This is a great folk tale that easily captivates the attention and imagination of young children. The illustrations are wonderful as well, and make this book great for story time....
Rating: 1
Summary: Remembering my childhood, as an Asian
Comment: I remember this book, I remember it well. In kindergaten I was an Asian child, exposed to this book. When I was only 5, the teacher read this to the classroom. There were only about 3 Asian kids in the classroom. When reading this, I remember the cruel tortures putting on Chinese men. But what I also noticed is that their eyes are slant small, and with their queues, and their hats, and their yellow skin. All basis of racist caricatures.
I used to enjoy this book, but after I got made fun of, I didn't pay attention to the book anymore, because of it.
I remember now, that I got made fun of, after they read this book, and other grades to come, they keep calling me Chinky, and such. People treat me as if I have some sort of super power language, where the kids keep asking me questions and questions each day(the same kids) about the same sentence, "How do you say hi?" "Do you eat dogs?" "Ching Chong" "You're part of the 5 Chinese brothers!" etc.
This book is racist, for the way the Asians look the same, the way they look, and their passive reactions, giving wrong interpretations about Asians. No one realized what horrible atrocity I've gone through in kindergarten.
No one understands my feelings!
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Title: The Story About Ping by Marjorie Flack, Kurt Wiese (Illustrator) ISBN: 0140502416 Publisher: Puffin Books Pub. Date: 01 August, 1977 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel ISBN: 0805006621 Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) Pub. Date: 15 March, 1968 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Seven Chinese Brothers (Blue Ribbon Book) by Margaret Mahy, Jean Mou-Sier Tsang ISBN: 0590420577 Publisher: Scholastic Pub. Date: 01 July, 1992 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf ISBN: 0670674249 Publisher: Viking Juvenile Pub. Date: 01 January, 1936 List Price(USD): $17.99 |
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Title: Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business by Esphyr Slobodkina ISBN: 0064431436 Publisher: HarperTrophy Pub. Date: 31 October, 1987 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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