Case of Sense, A

by Songju Ma Daemicke, Shennen Bersani (Illustrations)

While Ming plays outside one summer day, the smell of delicious food fills the air. It is coming from greedy Fu Wang's house, "What is he up to?" wonders Ming. To his alarm, Fu Wang demands that all the neighbors pay him for the pleasant smells. When the neighbors refuse, the case goes to court. How will the judge rule in this unusual case? Can Fu Wang make money from the neighbors' sense of smell? A wise judge makes use of another sense to close the case with clever and convincing logic.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 25, 2016

Reviews

[Vera Godley · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the story narrated in A Case of Sense is a folk tale in numerous cultures, primarily Asian, it is new to the American reader. In it a greedy cook decides he will cook up a way to enrich himself without cost by preparing a variety of dishes that are highly arromatic. Once he does this, he goes about the city knocking on doors and demanding payment from the people because they benefited (according to him) from smelling his food.

They rightly refused to pay him and Fu Wang takes the people to court. Young Ming has observed this and continues to observe the proceedings in court. After listening to the demands (the case) presented by Fu Wang, the judge instructs each of those being sued to remove all the coins from their pockets. He then has them shake and rattle them creating sounds.

His decision is that Fu Wang has now been compensated by the people because he has "heard" the sound of the coins in payment for the "smell" of his food. Quite an interesting concept and a good way to show that the two senses, smell and sound, have no monetary value. At the end of the book, there are several pages for educators, home schoolers, and inquisitive minds to further discover the five (not just two) senses. The story has value on multiple levels - cultural, biological, and perhaps even mathmatical and judical.

About the book: While Ming plays outside one summer day, the smell of delicious food fills the air. It is coming from greedy Fu Wang's house. What is he up to? wonders Ming. To his alarm, Fu Wang demands that all the neighbors pay him for the pleasant smells. When the neighbors refuse, the case goes to court. How will the judge rule in this unusual case and will justice be served? Can Fu Wang make money from the neighbors' sense of smell? A wise judge makes use of another sense to close the case with clever and convincing logic.

GIVEAWAY: Begins January 5, 2017 - ENDS January 26 @ 12:01 a.m. EST -
Open to USA addresses only. http://chatwithvera.blogspot.com/2017...

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher to facilitate my review for which I received no compensation. Winner's copy will by provided by and sent directly to the winner by Arbordale Publishing.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on a Chinese folktale related to the author by her grandfather when she was a child, this story demonstrates how a wise judge can stop greed right in its tracks. After Fu Wang hires cooks to prepare several delicious foods that fill the air in his neighborhood with their smells, he expects payment from everyone in the area. When they refuse to pay since they didn't seek out those smells, he takes them to court. A smart judge listens and then has each neighbor pay for the smells by clinking together their coins--the 40 cents Fu Wang insists they owe him. Thus, the case is resolved in the perfect way by appealing to one sense for what was experienced through another sense. lively illustrations reveal the personalities of the characters and sometimes show close-ups of hands filled with coins. I enjoyed this book and could see it serving as an excellent lesson in the classroom. As usual with this publisher, there are four activity pages that relate to the topic of senses in the back as well as free online resources.

[Kathleen Gauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An educational, witty and charmingly illustrated story that young readers will want to read again and again. One summer day, a young boy named Ming passes by Fu Wang’s house and notices a strong, delicious smell combined with the sound of clanging pots and pans. The next morning, Fu Wang goes door-to-door in the neighbourhood demanding money for the delicious aromas of eight different dishes for a whole day. He argues that the neighbours should pay for the cost of planning and preparing the food. When he takes the neighbours to court, the judge comes up with a fair and clever plan using the sound of coins as fair trade for the smell of food. Ming is impressed with the judge’s decision and decides that he will work hard to become a wise judge one day. Following the story is a section "For Creative Minds" which includes information on the senses, smell, sound matching, and diffusion.

[Jannete · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received “A Case of Sense” by Songju Ma Daemicke and illustrated by Shennen Bersani for Multicultural Children’s Book day 2022. This book is fun and exciting. I love how the author and illustrator collaborate to bring the story alive including onomatopoeia. The unique way the author includes sounds and smells in a courtroom is a fun way to learn about the author’s message: fairness. The creative ideas at the end of the book are a perfect bonus to continue exploring your senses and learn about science You can also access ww.ArbordalePublishing.com for learning activities. I will recommend this book to anyone who would love to learn about China and its folktales.

[Jolene Gutiérrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Songju Ma Daemicke does it again! This is the story of Ming and his neighbors, including his neighbor Fu Wang. Ming smells delicious food being cooked at Fu Wang's house, and so do many neighbors. But when Fu Wang decides he wants to charge his neighbors 40 cents for the food, no one wants to pay. Fu Wang takes the neighbors to court, where a wise and fair judge makes a decision that resonates with Ming. This book includes lots to talk about and features back matter about your senses, vocabulary words, and an experiment about diffusion. Highly recommended for homes, schools, and libraries!

[Serina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Court case over people smelling food and needing to pay for the privilege. Sounds effects always a fun thing. Nice section in back for drawing out the reader to think more. As always I love seeing poc as main character where its not about there race. However, it feels translated. The wording is very clunky and long winded to get through.

[Denaz Kiep · Rating 5 out of 5]

The introduction of Chinese folklore into the American culture isn't one that comes by often. The lessons and morals presented in this picture is indeed an important thing but what I found more great was your way of telling it. The visual and the wording felt so smooth to read. Please, make more! :^)

[Gina Soldano · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun sensory adventure and I do mean ADVENTURE! This story is full of tense moments and had my 5 year old and I on the ends of our seats waiting to see what would happen. I loved the interactive back matter encouraging sensory exploration. This book is great for conversations about sensory exploration and obligation. Highly recommend!

[TGReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story with a thoughtful outcome for children to consider. Great opportunity to spark conversation, and the creative sections at the back of the book expand on that! A refreshingly different children's book!

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd categorize this as fiction, but has science activities about the senses in the backmatter.
The title is a good play on two different meanings of the word 'sense'.

[Linda Donohue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice illustrations. An interesting and clever approach for using the sense of sound and smell in a court room drama. In the back of the book are some worksheets to support the use of ones senses. Well written.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! It has a good message! I loved the illistrations!

[Kharis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. Best book ever. My baby brother loved this book. Read Read Read. You won't regret it. Very unique in its own way.

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

While playing outside one warm summer day, delicious smells draw Ming to Fu Wang's house. A loud gong sounds and Fu Wang calls out to his neighbors that he is working on eight wonderful dishes. Although no one eats the dishes that Fu Wung prepared, the next day he demands they pay for the aromas from the cooking.

When they refuse, he takes them to court where a wise judge solves the problem by allowing him to listen to the sound of their coins as they shake and rattle them.

Neither sound or smell has shape or volume. They pass freely through the air. The story about Fu Wang's greed gives an excellent example of the senses of sound and smell. The Creative Minds section at the end of the book provides activities to help children learn about all five senses. Go to the Arbordale Publishing website to explore additional resources.

This review was posted first on www.bookloons.com