As a little seed one day will
become a great tree, as a flowing river
can carve a mighty rock...
One day the work you do will show too!
Even as a young boy in eleventh-century China, Su Shih was clearly special. After finding a rare inkstone, he began to write stories and verses expressing his love of the natural world. His words flowed effortlessly. His brush danced across the paper.
Su Shih grew up to become a leading scholar and statesman, eventually taking the name Su Dongpo. Integrating his love of natural order and humanity into his writings and civic works, Su Dongpo promoted justice and condemned corruption - often at his own peril. His life was rife with reversals of fortune; but through it all he retained his grace, his humility, and his compassion.
Award-winning author and artist Demi has created a graceful tribute to one of history's most accomplished yet overlooked figures. Su Dongpo's life truly transcends the ages and is a shining example of dignity, ingenuity, courage and resilience.
Awards
"Choices"
Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Original Art Show
Society of Illustrators
Original Art Traveling Exhibition
Society of Illustrators
ALA Notable Children's Book
American Library Association (ALA)
Children's Books of the Year
Outstanding Merit
Bank Street College Children's Book Committee
Interest Level
Grades 2 - 8
Reading Level
Grade 4
Themes
Asian/Asian American Interest, Biography, Historical Interest, Poetry, Religion/Spiritual
"The text is spare, depicting the man's life through specific events. There are no such conventions as a time line, but the story leaves readers with the sense of an extraordinary man and enough detail to write a brief report about him."
School Library Journal
"This portrait of a 'knight-errant,' who shone brightly in both the literary and political arenas while surviving several severe reversals of fortune, presents an exemplary role model. In the author's view, he still stands at the 'heart and soul of Chinese culture."
Kirkus Reviews
"This handsome picture book tells the story of the multi-talent Su Dongpo, an eleventh-century Chinese who rose to political prominence because of his knowledge, skills, accomplishments, wisdom, and honor. Exiled by a jealous political rival, he lived happily as a poor farmer until he was appointed secretary to the new emperor. Exiled again, he survived, but after a triumphal return to China, Su Dongpo fell ill and died. In the brief introduction, Demi notes that Su Dongpo is fondly remembered to day as a 'statesman, philosopher, poet, painter, engineer, architect, and humanitarian who approached everything with joy and grace.' This picture-book biography portrays Su Dongpo with quiet admiration as a virtuous man who met difficulties with uncommon dignity and presence of mind. Beautifully designed and produced, the book features delicately limned, brilliantly colored paintings of scenes from Su Dongpo's life, outlined in scarlet and bordered with thin bands of gold. A visually striking introduction to the Chinese poet sometimes referred to as Su Shi or Su Tung-po."
Booklist
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