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A distinctive front cover invites young readers into this delightful folktale which provokes both smiles and sighs. Simply and clearly told, it is full of courage and loyalty. The hero is Sheng, the only son of a poor Chinese widow who has to earn a pittance to keep them alive. It is a time of drought but a little good fortune comes their way. Although the ending is predictable, it is no less absorbing for that and the imaginative, stylish illustrations heighten the speed and suspense of the well-paced text. --Jenny Blanch - Carousel: The Guide to Children's Books --Carousel - The Guide to Children's Books
John Harris's skill as a professional storyteller is evident in his retelling of this Chinese folk tale.... gossiping neighbours, wicked robbers and a terrifying dragon all lead to a hugely satisfying end. --The School Librarian magazine
John Harris's skill as a professional storyteller is evident in his retelling of this Chinese folk tale.... gossiping neighbours, wicked robbers and a terrifying dragon all lead to a hugely satisfying end. --The School Librarian magazine
Product Description
Imagine you're so poor you have to scrape a living by selling wild grass. When the rains don't come the ground dries up and nothing can grow. You go hungry, and you know eventually you'll starve. So if you found a patch of fast growing grass in the middle of the desert you'd think your problems were over, wouldn't you? That's what Sheng thought. But when his mum suggested he dig up the grass to plant in their garden his problems had only begun..... This is one of John Harris's most popular stories. He's told it to thousands of enraptured children in schools and libraries all over the country and now - by huge popular demand - it's available in print. It's an old story from China about loyalty, fear and courage. It will make you laugh and might make you cry. It's also about huge wealth, pots of gold, greedy robbers, nosey villagers and a bit of a (rather magical) surprise. If you're lucky enough to have heard John tell this story you'll know what a treat you're in for. If you're not, find out what you ve been missing!
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Beautiful story telling. Clear and engaging. A joy for children and for the adults reading alongside them. Will certainly inspire children to read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book notwithstanding I'm considerably older than the target audience!
Obviously, it's an easy story to read but more imporatntly, it's means that it is easy to read out aloud for any grandchildren who may be trying to extend their bedtime minutes.
Dragons have always been popular with children - well, certainly with mine - so how a little and industrious boy manages to save his mother from starvation and, eventually, the entire village, is a lesson to be learnt at the knee, as it were. Loyalty, duty, courage and fear all go to make this a great adventure into a world where good things can happen, despite the bleakest outlook.
Thoroughly recommended for children and grandparents!
Obviously, it's an easy story to read but more imporatntly, it's means that it is easy to read out aloud for any grandchildren who may be trying to extend their bedtime minutes.
Dragons have always been popular with children - well, certainly with mine - so how a little and industrious boy manages to save his mother from starvation and, eventually, the entire village, is a lesson to be learnt at the knee, as it were. Loyalty, duty, courage and fear all go to make this a great adventure into a world where good things can happen, despite the bleakest outlook.
Thoroughly recommended for children and grandparents!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
John Harris has retold a Chinese story about a boy who finds a magical pearl which transforms the life of his widowed mother and literally transforms him. A delightful traditional tale, well told in a read-out-loudable style and beautifully illustrated by Tom Morgan-Jones. After reading this, I am looking forward to reading Harris's forthcoming retelling of Beowolf.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Wonderful tale as told by a Master Storyteller
John Harris has a unique and wonderfully engaging style which he applies perfectly to yet another classic tale. Read more
Published 9 months ago by James C Thompson
Nothing really special.
Read it - found it Ok. The plot was fairly enjoyable, but nothing particularly special and I don't think I would have missed much if I had never read it. Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2009 by E. Heckingbottom
Nothing special
Not memorable. When I now come to write this review a few months later. I can't remember the story at all.
Published on 27 Aug 2009 by sam
A book for bedtime
"The Pearl in the Grass" is a wonderful traditional Chinese tale. John Harris is a storyteller by trade, as anyone who reads this book will be able to tell. Read more
Published on 3 Aug 2009 by S. Diment
A nice fable wonderfully told.
As a student of Chinese and China I read this with some interest. The story is wonderful and would appeal to children of all ages. Read more
Published on 11 May 2009 by Mr. Darren P. Hammond
Wonderful
A classic in the making. Very special indeed - doesn't treat kids as silly but delivers a hit of magic and wonder.
Published on 26 Mar 2009 by Richard Hammond
Chinese Magic in oral tradition
I have 3 daughters, the oldest is 6 and every night I read them a bed time story and this book fits perfectly. Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2009 by Gisli Jokull Gislason
Perfect traditional tale for reading aloud
This is a fantastic little book - a traditional Chinese tale told in a clear easy-reading style that is perfect for reading aloud to modern children. Read more
Published on 22 Feb 2009 by ELH Browning
One to read out aoud and share
The story is a lovely little Chinese folk tale and the illustrations are bold and fun. However, it is almost certainly a story that is better read out aloud than on the page. Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2009 by B. Yeoh
A lovely tale
A very well written & illustrated book which my 9 year old daughter thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
This traditional Chinese folk story, is entertaining enough to hold the... Read more
This traditional Chinese folk story, is entertaining enough to hold the... Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2009 by DavyA
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