The Hunter

by Mary Casanova Narrated by Richard Poe

Overview

Hai Li Bu lives in a small Chinese village. Even though he is a good hunter, there is a drought, and he can no longer find enough food to feed the village. One day, while hunting deep in the forest, Hai Li Bu rescues the Dragon King of the Sea's daughter. As a reward, Hai Li Bu is given the ability to understand the speech of animals. There is one condition-if Hai Li Bu tells anyone about his gift he will turn to stone. Soon Hai Li Bu is able to feed everyone again. Then the animals tell him a huge storm is coming that will destroy the village. When he tries to warn everyone they refuse to believe him unless he tells them how he knows. Now, Hai Li Bu must decide whether to save himself or his village. Mary Casanova's adaptation of this Chinese folktale, combined with Richard Poe's subtle yet powerful narration brings to life a story listeners won't soon forget.

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-Hai Li Bu, a hunter from a drought-stricken village in mythic China, rescues a small pearly snake from the beak of a crane. The snake tells the young man that she is the daughter of the Dragon King of the Sea, and takes him to visit her father's undersea palace. When the Dragon King tries to reward him with fabulous jewels, Hai Li Bu asks only to understand the language of animals, so that he may provide more food for the starving inhabitants of his village. The Dragon King complies, but on the condition that Hai Li Bu must not reveal his secret, or he will turn to stone. Hai Li Bu restores his famished community to health, but when the animals warn him of an approaching flood, the hunter cannot convince the villagers to leave their homes without exposing his source of information. The tale of his sacrifice is well told in measured, poetic prose, unified by repeating word patterns. Young's spare calligraphic illustrations, ink against a muted golden-brown background that recalls old silk, are more suggestive than representational. Pastels add touches of color to art steeped in the tradition of Chinese brush painting. While sophisticated, the artwork is accessible and perfectly suited to the tale. A red seal appears in the corner of each double-page spread. The ancient characters within each one, all translated below the source note, comment on the story while reminding readers of its original language. A handsome addition to any folktale collection.-Margaret A. Chang, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

In this spare retelling of a Chinese folk tale, a hunter receives a wonderful gift that ultimately costs him his life. When Hai Li Bu rescues a small snake who turns out to be the daughter of the Dragon King of the Sea, her grateful father gives the young hunter the ability to understand the language of animals—with a warning that he will turn to stone if he ever reveals his secret. One day the animals herald the approach of a devastating storm. Hai Li Bu is unable to convince the local villagers to flee until, at last, he resolutely tells his story, turning to stone bit by bit before their horrified eyes. Against almost featureless flecked backgrounds in which warm, subtly modulated browns are the dominant colors, Young (A Pup Just For Me/A Boy Just For Me, 1999, etc.) places figures formed by strong, economically brushed outlines; their placement opens up great depth and space in each scene, and both the dragon's spiky hugeness and Hai Li Bu's quiet heroism are clear to see. A Chinese ideogram or two in the bottom corner of each spread adds a thematic caption, explained in a key. After the catastrophe, the chastened villagers return to rebuild, erect Hai Li Bu as his own monument, and forever after are careful to "listen to every person, even the youngest child." As much about the changing character of Hai Li Bu's community as about his own selflessness, this multilayered tale will leave readers moved and thoughtful. (Picture book/folk tale. 7-10)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170469642
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	04/20/2012
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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