The Clay General

by Kim Xiong

The Clay General is so courageous and so smart! At least, according to his boastful stories and the proud airs he puts on in front of the other toys... But is he really? What happens when shortcuts are taken and his clay is put to the test? The other toys are about to find out just what the Clay General is made of! This humorous tale teaches a life lesson while showcasing the art of Chinese ceramics. The Clay General is an example of Chinese folk art and represents the toy clay figurines beloved by children and adults alike. This story not only illustrates the ceramic making process but also features other toys and items typically seen in Chinese households. The Chinese have a historic passion for ceramics and perfected many ways to make them vibrant, expressive and colorful. The epitome of China's artistic ceramic expression can be found in the famous Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an from the Qin dynasty. Hardcover English with Simplified Chinese translation

Genres: Picture Books

1 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Josianne Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book by Chinese artist Kim Xiong are collage of photos on watercolor. The fierce Clay General considers himself clever when he does not join his clay mates in the hot kiln. He brags about how fierce he is to the other toys, but when the teapot douses him in water, he melts. Not so clever now, eh, Clay General?

The text is rather clunky. This moves from first person to third person without any type of transition. Something could be lost in translation, so for Chinese readers the characters and pinyin on the back could bring the story to life.