When old Mr. Haktak digs up a curious brass pot in his garden, he has no idea what use it can be. On his way home, Mr. Haktak decides to carry his coin purse in the mysterious pot. But when Mrs. Haktak’s hairpin accidentally slips into the pot and she reaches in to retrieve it, the magic of the pot is revealed. Not only are there two hairpins inside, but there are also two purses!
A Chinese folktale with a perfect blend of humor and wisdom…Using lively yet straightforward language, Hong tells this story with an engagingly playful tone…A whimsical mix of fortune and misfortune with a distinctly Chinese flavor.
Lily Toy Hong’s large, simple figures are energetic and often comic, set in boldly filled pages. Children will enjoy the action and the naive perspective depicting the events…There is a rich, pleasing quality to the subdued color tones of the air-brushed acrylic and gouache paintings…The visual clarity of the presentation, along with the humor and down-to-earth sense of the old couple, make this a fine book to share.
Their amicable solution to the inconvenience of having doubles will make perfect sense to young children. There’s a pleasing wholeness about this book that’s characteristic of the best picture books; the text and illustrations combine seamlessly to present a total story…Retold with verve and gentle humor, this Chinese folktale could become a read-aloud favorite.
As she did in How the Ox Star Fell from Heaven, this talented author-illustrator here distills a Chinese folktale with style and humor. Her lucid narrative is coupled with beguiling, full-page airbrushed acrylic and gouache pictures that display a distinctive palette highlighted by sumptuous blues and greens.
Hong’s stylized illustrations, with areas of subtly muted turquoise, purples, and earth colors outlined in magic-marker-broad lines, depict cheerfully doll-like figures in a boldly graphic style that will he fine for group sharing. A lively and entertaining offering.
