Bronze Dog: A Story in English and Chinese

by Jian Li (Illustrator)

Overview

This beautifully illustrated multicultural children's book tells the story of two young brothers and a magical dog in both English and Chinese.

Once upon a time, at the foot of the mountains called Zhongnan in the Shaanxi Province of China, there were two brothers who lived alone and depended on each other. One day, the elder one dug out a bronze dog while tilling which made the brothers very happy, as they could sell it for money. But unexpectedly, the bronze dog suddenly got bigger and swallowed the elder brother. Having seen this, the younger one rushed to find a hammer, intending to smash the bronze dog to save his brother. In order not to be destroyed, the bronze dog promised to give the young boy three gifts which he wanted most. But he told the dog he would rather ask for nothing but his brother. The bronze dog was deeply moved by the love between the two brothers, so it spat the elder one out and magically turned into a real dog. Luckily, the brothers got a new companion, and all of them lived happily ever after.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781602209985
Publisher:	Shanghai Press
Publication date:	10/10/2017
Series:	Stories of the Chinese Zodiac
Edition description:	Bilingual edition,Hardcover with Jacket
Pages:	42
Sales rank:	833,742
Product dimensions:	9.60(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Li Jian used to be a middle school art teacher, an editor for kid's books, and a partner in an illustration studio. Currently he owns his own illustration studio.

Editorial Reviews

"The illustrations are meant to look like the ancient stone relief that was popular during the Han Dynasty. They are not all that colorful or detailed, but they introduce a bit more of the culture to the reader. I love that the story is in both English and Chinese. The last page of the book shares a bit about the year of the dog and the characteristics that go with those born under the dog. It also explains about the stone relief artwork. The tale itself is simple and short, but the story is a good one with a lesson about love and family." —Crafty Moms Share blog

From the Publisher

01/01/2018
K-Gr 3—A wonderful representation of the Chinese Zodiac legend of the dog. The story of two brothers and their love for each other is tested by the temptations of riches. The two brothers live a very poor life until one day they discover a bronze dog buried in their backyard. The eldest brother knows it can be worth a lot of money, and the brothers begin to imagine how their life would be different: a bigger house, all the food they could eat, and clothes. But before the brothers realize what is happening, the bronze dog swallows the eldest brother. The younger brother panics, ready to destroy the dog to get his brother back. The dog begins to speak and tempts the younger brother with food and a big house in order not to be destroyed. The younger brother refuses all the offers of the dog, knowing all of these riches would mean nothing without the companionship of his brother. The legend showcases the importance of sibling bonds. Having the story in both English and Chinese is an excellent addition. Seeing the beautiful calligraphy characters would pique the interest of curious readers. VERDICT: This book would be a strong addition to any folktale collection or bilingual collection.—Erin Olsen, The Brearley School, NY

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