The Runaway Rice Cake
 | |
| Author | Ying Chang Compestine |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's books |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers |
Publication date | January 1, 2001 |
| ISBN | 0689829728 |
The Runaway Rice Cake is a picture book written by Ying Chang Compestine and illustrated by Tungwai Chau.[1] The book tells the story of the Chang family and the sense of community that can be born from a simple act of kindness.
Plot summary[edit]
In the Runaway Rice Cake, the poor Chang family has hardly any food to celebrate the Chinese New Year. When they finally manage to put together a rice cake, it suddenly comes to life and leaps away.[2] The Chang family chases the rice cake all through the village until it comes across a hungry old lady. Realizing she is hungrier than they are, the Chang's offer the old woman some of the rice cake, but she eats all of it.[2] The community is moved by the Chang's willingness to give up their only meal, so when they return home, the family is greeted by a wheelbarrow full of what little food the community could gather for the New Year's celebration.[3] These acts of selflessness earn the praise of the Kitchen God who decides to award the village.[1] The story is similar to The Gingerbread Man.[2]
The book concludes with an author's note, including instructions on how to celebrate the New Years and a recipe for "Baked Nian-Gao" and "Steamed Nian Gao".[2] There is also a pronunciation guide for readers unfamiliar with Chinese words.[3]
Character list[edit]
- Momma Chang - Ming's mother
- Poppa Chang - Ming's father
- Ming - Son of Mama and Poppa Chang
- Cong - Son of Mama and Poppa Chang
- Da - Son of Mama and Poppa Chang
- Rice Cake - Magical Rice Cake
- Old Woman - Poor, hungry old lady
Critical reception[edit]
The Runaway Rice Cake has been reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and Book Dragon.[4][5][6] Library Talk praised the full color, acrylic illustrations painted by Tungwai Chau.[7] School Library Journal called the illustrations "whimsical."[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Compestine, Ying Chang (2001-01-01). The Runaway Rice Cake. Tungwai Chau (1st ed.). New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780689829727.
- ^ a b c d "The Runaway Rice Cake". Book Links. 14 (3): 24. January 2005 – via EBSCOhost.
- ^ a b c Hudak, Tina (February 2001). "The Runaway Rice Cake (Book Review)". School Library Journal. 47 (2): 93 – via EBSCOhost.
- ^ "Children's Book Review: The Runaway Rice Cake". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2017-07-31.
- ^ The Runaway Rice Cake. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
- ^ "The Runaway Rice Cake". Book Dragon. 2001-08-01. Retrieved 2017-07-31.
- ^ "The Runaway Rice Cake (book review)". Library Talk. 14 (3): 42. May 2001 – via EBSCOhost.