Long ago, a Chinese emperor challenges the children of his kingdom to show him the greatest power in the world, and all are surprised at what is discovered.
The Greatest Power
Asia
Materials from Asia
Sweet Dried Apples: A Vietnamese Wartime Childhood
A Vietnamese child remembers wartime and her relationship with her grandfather, the village herb doctor.
The Two Bullies
What happens with Ni-ou, the self-proclaimed “strongest fellow in Japan” rows to China to challenge his counter part, Dokkoi?
The Greatest Treasure
In a traditional Chinese tale retold by the creator of One Grain of Rice, a poor farmer receives a treasure of gold and discovers the true value of simple pleasures.
The Empty Pot
When Ping admits that he is the only child in China unable to grow a flower from the seeds distributed by the Emperor, he is rewarded for his honesty.
Children Of The Yangtze River
Mei Mei and Chang’s life in their Chinese village takes a drastic turn after Yangtze River begins to rise and sweeps the houses, trees, animals, and people along its path.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Hospitalized with the dreaded atom bomb disease, leukemia, a child in Hiroshima races against time to fold one thousand paper cranes to verify the legend that by doing so a sick person will become healthy.
Nine-In-One, Grr! Grr!: A Folktale From The Hmong People Of Laos
When the great god Shao promises Tiger nine cubs each year, Bird comes up with a clever trick to prevent the land from being overrun by tigers.
Screen of Frogs: An Old Tale
A spoiled rich man in Japan discovers a respect for nature in time to turn his life around.
The Crane Wife
When Osamu, a lonely sail maker, nurses an injured crane one blustery night, he never suspects that this simple act of kindness will change his life forever. Weeks later a mysterious woman arrives on his doorstep, seeking shelter from a storm. Osamu again offers his help, and soon the sail maker and the stranger fall in love and marry. But when he learns of his wife’s gift for making magic sails, ambition replaces compassion–and Osamu risks losing the great happiness he has found. With majestic paintings and lyrical prose, this classic Japanese tale speaks to readers of all ages with its timeless lessons on the nature of kindness, love, and betrayal.