The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes

by Ying Chang Compestine Narrated by Nancy Wu

Overview

David Roberts, the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Ada Twist, Scientistand Rosie Revere, Engineer, unites with award-winning author Ying Chang Compestine for a clever retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tale.

Ming Da is only nine years old when he becomes the emperor of China. His ministers take advantage of the boy emperor by stealing rice, gold, and precious stones. But Ming Da has a plan. He orders his tailors to make him “magical” new clothes that only honest people can see. Can Ming Da outsmart his ministers and save his country?

Editorial Reviews

Booklist

**STARRED REVIEW**
"The somewhat whimsical illustrations of the distinctive individuals, palace, interiors, and clothes are made in watercolor, pen and ink and highlight Roberts’ feel for fashion, design and color."

Booklist

**STARRED REVIEW**
"The somewhat whimsical illustrations of the distinctive individuals, palace, interiors, and clothes are made in watercolor, pen and ink and highlight Roberts’ feel for fashion, design and color."

Kirkus Reviews

2017-09-26
Remember the story of the vain emperor and the cunning tailors? It wasn't quite like that....Ming Da, upon becoming ruler of China at the age of 9, discovers that his ministers are stealing the country's food and riches. Without resources to serve his people and run his kingdom, how can the boy emperor outwit his treacherous ministers and avoid rebellion? Enlisting the help of his loyal tailors, he just might be able to recover some of the stolen riches and shame his trio of terrible ministers. A cheeky narrator who asserts that this is the "real story" of the emperor's new clothes is given context in Compestine's rich author's note. It describes how this particular telling of Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale emerged from the oppressive, literature-scarce world of the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Roberts' watercolor, pen, and ink illustrations—which will be familiar to readers of Andrea Beaty's picture books Ada Twist, Scientist (2016) and Rosie Revere, Engineer (2013)—add humor and nuance. They render the story's villains with just the right balance of gravitas and hilarity, and a sumptuous double-page spread perfectly captures the caper's climax. Just one quibble: a small mouse and cricket appear inconsistently on pages throughout the book, enticing but then thwarting would-be seekers.A clever retelling buttressed by a fascinating back story and vivid art. (activity instructions) (Picture book. 5-10)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940191644721
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	07/09/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

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