AUTHOR: Mary Casanova
ILLUSTRATOR: Ed Young
PUBLISHER: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
PUBLICATION DATE: September 1, 2000
GENRE: Cultural/Chinese READING LEVEL: 5-8 yrs old
BRIEF OVERVIEW: Hai Li Bu, a hunter, saves a snake from a crane with a shot of an arrow. The snake’s father, a king, rewards Hai with the ability to hear animals talk. The king heeded a warning: If Hai Li Bu tells anybody about his ability Hai will turn to stone. The Hunter heard from the animals that a storm was coming and would flood the village. Nobody would believe Hai and refused to shelter on higher ground. Hai had to explain his circumstance and hence turned to stone. The villagers were astonished that Hai Li Bu would sacrifice himself to save the village and the villagers escaped certain death.
INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Make a Chinese snake using 1” wide by 3” long colored papers. Make circles, interlink and staple to make interlinked chain. Paint a snake face on the front link.
REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Robert Emond, Valdosta State University
