Little Leap Forward: A Boy in Beijing

by Guo Yue, Helen Cann, Clare Farrow

A sensitively written, real-life story about a boy called Little Leap Forward, growing up in the hutongs of Beijing in the 1960's, at the time of the Cultural Revolution. Little Leap offers children an intimate and immediate account of a child's experiences as Mao Tse Tung's Great Leap Forward policy tightens its grip on China.


Moonbeam Awards Gold Medal Winner 2008, NAPRA Nautilus Award Winner 2010

Genres: Historical Fiction, China, Historical, Asia, Childrens, Young Adult, Novels

126 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2008

Reviews

[Katharine Ott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When I was a little boy, I lived in an old courtyard in Beijing, China, between the Drum Tower, the Bell Tower, and the river." This short chapter book is a little jewel with its simple descriptions of the life of a young boy in Beijing during Mao's regime. Enhancing the package are colorful, charming drawings on the heavyweight pages and showy images of kites on the endpapers.

Co-authors Guo Yue and Clare Farrow, a husband and wife team, take us to the courtyards and river edges, the boundaries of Yue's life growing up, and clearly portray some of the ways Chinese politics affected the people. While some of his boyish exploits are universal, the practices enacted by Mao such as food rationing, and mandatory identical garb should be eye-opening to young readers. Yue tells us, "It was government policy, to put people of the same profession in courtyards together, like boxes of ingredients in a grocery shop." Of Mao he says, "He thought everyone should be the same."

At an impressionable time of Yue's life, the Revolution began, and his family was unjustifiably separated - "It's very dangerous to love the old things of China now..." Yue, Farrow and illustrator Helen Cann do a very nice job of visually and verbally describing the kite-making and flying, frugal meals and the importance of a small bamboo flute in the midst of oppressive leadership. The authors previously published "Music, Food and Love" in 2006, which sounds like an interesting adult version of the same story.

[hannah g · Rating 5 out of 5]

i found a note written in the front of this book that said “June 2016 Love, Mama :)”. then there was also a note that said “Hello Children! When you're all finished listening to the Hudson Taylor book, then Hannah (and whomever else wants to can start reading this one aloud at night. Then tell me all about it, as I haven't read it yet! Enjoy! Love, Your ‘China Crazy’ Mother”. mama went to china in 2016, and in preparation, she read a ton of books about the culture and fictional stories. she also got some books for us kids and this was one of them!

[Karen Hurtado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro absolutamente precioso; precioso en toda la extensión de la palabra.
Me encontré destacando hasta los diálogos y las narraciones más simples porque incluso en ellas había una poesía que quizá solo puede lograrla quien ha vivido lo que escribe.
Lloré muchísimo leyéndolo: por todo lo que ha pasado y se esconde, por la libertad de cantar como un pájaro que es libre después de haber estado encerrado, por saber, por ternura, por tristeza, por felicidad, por nostalgia, por sentimientos que no pueden explicarse sino solo sentirse.

[Terry]

This is a superbly crafted book. The pages are art-quality (typical of Barefoot Books) and the illustrations are beautifully presented and evoke a sense of time and place. There are at least two illustrations for each chapter. I particularly like how the diminutive size of the book (5½ x 8 x ½ inches) adds dimension (no pun intended) to the story. It evokes the idea of holding a small yellow bird in your hand … it fits neatly, but not quite perfect. It also reminds you that this is a child’s story.

Yue has written a story with universal appeal.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story for grades 3 to 6 about the Cultural Revolution. Based on Guo Yue’s childhood, this is a gentle story of life before and during the Cultural Revolution. The emphasis is on friendship, but the undercurrents of change and loss are strong. The book works for children younger than those who might read Ji-Liang Jiang's Red Scarf Girl because protagonist is younger, and though he feels and sees the changes that are happening in his world, because of his age, he doesn't completely understand the devastation that is taking place.

[Kristyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, gentle memoir of childhood as the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) began in China. Yue explores his childhood adventures with his friends--flying kites on canals, skipping stones--We nonetheless feel the growth of anxiety and fear as the oppression grew near and impacted his family. While not as dramatic as Red Scarf Girl, another memoir of childhood during the Cultural Revolution, it's another illustration of the pain and loss that resulted from this movement that saw attacks on scholars, musicians, anything related to Old China, seen through the everyday experiences of a little boy. The beautiful illustrations help illuminate the contrast between his carefree childhood and the places and events around him.

[Louise Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up , in kids pile of sale books and loved it although it is obviously for children may be in junior school but i think books like this can suit any age as much easier to understand .
i dont now much about china or the revolution and was intriguing to read and has given me a desire to find about this out more I love the names of the children little leap forward and the story of the bird in the cage was very symbolic the facts about the revolution although written for children was still thoughtful and heartbreaking i really want to read the adult version of this

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[AlanaBerish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great moving book, perfect for all ages. Children learned symbolism, China history, and culture. Highly recommend this

[annie you]

When I first read this book, I knew I had to get it for my nephew so that my parents could read it to him! My parents grew up during this time and I knew that they could see many similarities between what they experience in real life and this book! Little Leap Forward: A Boy in Beijing, truly shows what life was like growing up during this time where the some parts of the government affected the lifestyles that people lived. This book by Guo Yue is very realistic and an eye opener as it talks about food rationing and other things that occurred under Mao Ze Dong. This may not be the most appropriate for a younger reader as they might not understand the topics talked about, but it certainly is wonderful story for a little bit older ages. The illustration given in this are really realistic, which helps grab the attention of readers as the readers can relate to them and elude to other stories related to the topics and corresponds fairly well with what the text has to say. I believe this is an interesting book not only for children, but also adults who can remember the times. This book was written in English and so it allows for other cultures to comprehend how times were like during the cultural revolution as this is a realistic fiction. One can definitely bring up several different questions, topics, and facts to talk about with the realistic characters and pictures.

[Jamie Chaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A peak into a childhood under a communist regime.

[Yu Ding · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this book, it let me related to the other I've read called" A long walk to water". In little leap, the boy's family need to use the ticket to exchange food for survival. On the other hand, Salva, the main character in A long walk to water, also fight for foods to survive.

[Lesly C · Rating 5 out of 5]

overall I really liked this book. To me I found it weird how they all had to live in different courts, like for example all the musicians are in one court. I would find it frustrated because then I wouldn't be able to live near my friends and family.

[Eva Mitnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grades 3 to 6
8-year-old Leap Forward, living in an old part of Beijing in 1966, thinks his life is just about right. Sure, he misses his dead father, and it would be great to have a bit more food on the table – his mom and five sisters have to carefully count out every grain of rice. But Leap Forward flies kites with his best friend Little-Little, makes friends with pretty Blue, tends his silkworms, and tries to encourage his caged wild bird to sing by playing on a flute.

Leap Forward doesn’t think anything is wrong with all-white kites (rather than the multi-colored beauties of the previous generation) or all-blue clothing or revolutionary songs, and these facts are presented to the reader in a child’s accepting and nonchalant tone. But when the Cultural Revolution slams down on Beijing, Leap Forward can’t help but notice how narrow and limiting life is becoming. His friend Blue and his sisters must cut off their long hair or risk having it cut off by force. Kite-flying is banned, books and art are burned, and school is closed.

Suddenly, Leap Forward understands why Little-Little was always so troubled by his caged bird. “Wouldn’t you rather be free, just for a day, than spend a lifetime in a cage?” Little-Little asks. It is Little-Little, a free spirit by nature, who urges Leap Forward to go with him again to their spot by the river, away from the trucks and loudspeakers of the Red Guards, to fly a forbidden kite and to play music on the flute – not revolutionary songs or scales but wild and free music. When Leap Forward finally decides that he must let his caged bird fly free, something within him is able to stretch free of its bonds and fly free as well.

Never depressing or gray, this is an authentic child’s-eye view of Communist China. Try as it might to wring color, spontaneity, and joy from people’s lives, Mao’s government never did succeed. Red berries, yellow birds, and green mulberry leaves sparkle in Leap Forward’s story, making it come vividly to life. The many watercolor illustrations depict the people and places of Leap Forward’s world in winsome, jewel-toned detail.

This is an autobiographical book, and readers will be fascinated by Guo Yue’s afterword, which extends his story to the present day and includes several photos of the chubby-faced author as a boy.

[Erik This Kid Reviews Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Leap Forward is a young boy living in Early Communist China. He and his friends have a pretty happy life. They fly homemade paper kites and play by the nearby river. They seem like they have a life that any kid would have. That is, until soldiers come and change everything! The soldiers want to get rid of “Old China” by burning and wrecking anything that reminds people of the way they used to live and to prepare for “New China”.

This is a great nonfiction autobiography that was written by Little Leap Forward himself! I learned a lot about China in this time period. Little Leap Forward (in the book) is a nice young boy who cares about nature and what is going on around him. I think I would enjoy meeting him. The illustrations are beautiful and well-done. They help me see the story better.
I love how they have a warm-ish feeling to them. There is an afterward in the book about what happened to the author after the story ends. It really added to the completeness of the story. I totally enjoyed learning about China during this time period. I haven’t read any other stories set in this time period.
*NOTE I got a copy of this book for a birthday present

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Barefoot Books' first foray into young literary fiction, the first of several being released this year. This story of a boy growing up during China's cultural revolution is revealing and culturally accurate, but gentle for young readers. Guo Yue tells a story within a story of a young boy who longs to be kept safe and in return cages a bird, hoping to make it sing. When he realizes the bird must be free, something in him is freed as well. The lyrical voice of a young Guo Yue, a musician, carries throughout:

"We watched the kite as it soared above the river, wrestling with the wind to get its balance. As it rose higher and higher, I picked up my flute and began to play- not the scales and revolutionary tunes I was now being taught, but something else, a melody that came from inside me, a tune that seemed in keeping with the Yang Shu trees and the dragonflies- something winding and soaring- something free."

It's nice to see great children's fiction that includes relevant and beautiful art. Find this and other Barefoot Books at http://hopegrowers.mybarefootbooks.com

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and suitable for juniors, although anyone will find it interesting. It As the son of a musician, little Yue inhabits his own childish world with his friend and his pet bird. The details are absorbing, and the storyline revolves round Yue’s trapping, caging and cherishing of Little Cloud,the bird. It gives a wonderful description of life during the Cultural Revolution from the innocent viewpoint of a child. It is also a lovely and well designed book with beautiful illustrations. as it is based on a real story the book has photographs of Yue himself as a boy at the end, and rather sad details of what became of his real family.

[Caitlin N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this little jewel of a book in our library's new arrivals, amazed at such pretty illustrations in the adult shelves. Turns out, it's a children's book. Not what I was looking for, but I love children's lit, so I kept it and loved it.

Completed in less than an afternoon, it's a very short little piece - a snapshot, almost, of a little boy's life in Communist China. A poignant memoir in miniature written by flutist and composer Guo Yue. A tiny but vivid word-painting about beauty and freedom.

I am now inspired to read Guo's previous work, to keep an eye out for his future work, and to look into other books illustrated by Helen Cann.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this little book a lot. The author is two years younger than I am, and tells about a time in his younger years, just before his mother was arrested and sent for "re-education". Central to the book is the pet bird he had, which had been wild and would not sing for him. It's a poignant story but not unbearably so. I would recommend it to young people interested in China, as well as older folks who want an honest, short account of childhood in China just prior to the terrible Cultural Revolution.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be cute, especially the photos, which were well-drawn. I was surprised to read that this book was actually based on the author's childhood growing up in China. The story has a great analogy to it, which compares the bird's life to those living in China during that time. If you are interested to learn more about China's trials and tribulations during the Cultural Revolution however, in a way which is easy to explain to children, this is definitely the book for you. I found that there were a few things that I couldn't understand, but overall, the message was clear.

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really cute little book. It took about five minutes to read but it was a very nice five minutes. The comparison between the caged bird and the cultural revolution in China was really clever and made it so little kids could understand the cultural revolution. The illustrations were gorgeous as well. Curiously enough, right after I read this book I was assigned a geography project on the Great Leap Forward. That was sort of funny.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kind of easy for me, but I read it because the author shared my mom's name. It's definitely not a intense, exciting read, or a page turner. It's pretty good, but it's not like I would die if I don't read it. Very short read about a boy who lived in China during the beginning of the Culture Revolution, inspired by the author's own life. Not an adventure story, but merely a story about how a boy learned that you can never be happy if you're trapped.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical Fiction - Interesting glimpse into the life of a boy growing up in Beijing, China in 1966. I appreciated the growth of the character and also the subtle points on pet keeping and animal's right to freedom. Rich language and beautiful pictures additionally bring this story to life. (Enjoyed the following movie which showed me many other books I should investigate, but it went quite fast. At least on the notes portion there are details!)

[Lain · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction into the horrors Mau Zedong wrought through the Cultural Revolution. It put a personal face on communism for my kids, without being too graphic or scary. The combination of the simple prose with the gorgeous, colorful paintings made an impression on all of us. We now are seeking out other age-appropriate books to read on the topic of life under a communist rule.

[Sam Bloom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, mostly biographical book about a boy growing up in Beijing in the midst of the Cultural Revolution. Mao and his teachings are mostly background noise to the everyday life of Little Leap Forward and his friend, Little-Little. Excellent illustrations.

[Victoria Whipple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Leap Forward is a young boy living in China during the cultural revolution. Despite the changes and restrictions put upon the people by the government, Little Leap has a very happy and carefree childhood. It is a beautifully written book.

[Stargazer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book because my partner's father fled China at the onset of the Cultural Revolution and I thought he might like it. Turns out he has met the author and has some tapes of him and his brother from years back.
Nice little book, would use it if a China-related topic came up at school.

[Lisa Lathrop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story (and true account by the author) of a young boy growing up in China prior to the revolution. Most interesting to me were the authors notes in the back of the book. I'm not a history buff but this little book taught me a bit about China in the mid 1960s.

[Austin Phadoungsyavong]

This book was good about happen from story like lost family make me sad or doing for work like father or something but those kids play kites and his best friend and talk about his friend's kite make him hurt feeling and he hate his best friend because he who talk about kite.

[Candi]

Ages 8-14