Author : Ying Chang Compestine, Illustrator : Tungwai Chau
Kindergarten - 4th Grade

The Runaway Rice Cake

The Runaway Rice Cake, Hardcover, English, Book, Ying Chang Compestine, Tungwai Chau, Kindergarten - 4th Grade, 9780689829727, $17.95

It's the Chinese New Year, and the Chang Family has only enough rice flour to make one nián-gão, a special New Year's rice cake, for the entire family to eat. But this delicious little nián-gão has other ideas. "Ai yo! I don't think so!" it cries, coming to life and escaping.  Ming, Cong, little Da and their parents chase the nián-gão all over the village until it runs into a hungry, old woman and sends her tumbling to the ground. Though Da is a small boy, his heart is big enough to share the treat with her, even though that leaves Da's family with nothing to eat for their own celebration. But the Changs' generosity doesn't go unnoticed. When they return home, they find the Kitchen God has left a wonderful surprise for them.  Ying Chang Compestine's heartwarming story conveys an important and poignant message about sharing and compassion. Tungwai Chau's soft and evocative illustrations complete this tender holiday story.

Listen to Vienna Rose read The Runaway Rice Cake to you.  A marvelous example of the magical encounter between a child and books that we wish for all children.

Amazon : Although they have rice flour enough for only one nián-gäo--the Chinese New Year's rice cake--the Chang family is determined to make the best of their holiday treat. But when Momma takes the cake out of the steamer, "something incredible happened--the rice cake came alive!" Stunned, the Changs watch as it pops out of the pan and rolls right out of their kitchen, crying, "Ai yo! I don't think so!" Much like the family in the traditional classic, The Gingerbread Boy, the Changs chase that pastry all through the village, but it eludes them every step--until it runs smack into an old woman. Generous Da, the youngest son, upon discovering that this woman is hungry, too, offers to share the nián-gäo. This leaves nothing for the Chang family's New Year's feast, but their kind-hearted deed reaps them benefits they never imagined from the approving Kitchen God.  Ying Chang Compestine's tale of compassion and generosity teaches a valuable, perennially fresh message. Tungwai Chau's acrylic paintings of the family celebrating their most important holiday are rich with details of traditional Chinese life. A note about the Chinese New Year includes recipes for nián-gäo, the good-luck cake that is said to bring safety and fortune to the entire family all year long. (Ages 5 to 8)

School Library Journal : K-Gr 4-A tale of tenderness and sharing. It is Chinese New Year's Eve, and the Chang family is preparing to celebrate the holiday. Although they have very little food, they have enough rice flour to make one New Year's rice cake. However, when the ni n-gao is cooked, it comes to life, pops out of the pan, and leads the Changs on a merry chase through the village. The errant cake is finally caught after it collides with an old woman and knocks her to the ground. When the family discovers that she hasn't eaten for several days, the youngest son suggests that they share the cake with her. Their generosity is later rewarded, as several villagers bearing gifts of food arrive at the Chang house. Magically, more and more food appears on the table, until there is enough for everyone to eat. Figurative drawings, while reminiscent of the art in various retellings of "The Gingerbread Boy," have a softer and more whimsical nature. Each page combines a vibrancy of color with more muted background tones. A brief pronunciation guide, along with information about the New Year and two recipes, extends the story. A welcome addition to stories such as Karen Chinn's Sam and the Lucky Money (Lee & Low, 1995) and Leo Politi's classic Moy Moy (Scribner, 1960; o.p.), which highlight other aspects of this holiday.

Booklist : Ages 3-8. As part of the family's New Year's Eve celebration, Momma Chang has cooked the family's only nian-gao or rice cake. When she prepares to cut it, the rice cake comes to life, jumps out of the pan, and runs away. It runs by various animals and people, mocking them, until it collides with a ravenous old woman. Although hungry themselves, the Changs give her their lone rice cake, then discover their own feast, thanks to their neighbors' charity and magic. Although it contains a hodge-podge of familiar elements, this original story lacks the cohesiveness of folklore. Acrylic illustrations portray traditional Chinese clothing and background with mastery, but human faces are awkwardly drawn. Information about the Chinese New Year and recipes for baked and steamed nian-gao are appended. Despite weaknesses, many libraries will want to add this, considering the dearth of material about Chinese New Year.

English Collection Ying Chang Compestine Books :

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