Type of bind: Hardcover
EAN num: 9780370007137
Format: Import
ISBN number: 0370007131
Label: Bodley Head Children's Books
Manufacturer: Bodley Head Children's Books
Page Count: 60
Printing Date: 1961-12
Publishing house: Bodley Head Children's Books
Studio: Bodley Head Children's Books
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Rated by buyers -
So...I remember this book from elementary school. I checked it out from the Library multiple times as a kid. I loved the story and the illistrations. I also liked the look and feel of the book. It was long and skinny and bright yellow, the picture was imposed directly onto the front as opposed to having a dust jacket. This one, a bit newer has the same shape, but now dawns a nice dust jacket.
It's an ancient Chinese proverb that was translated into a childrens book and has been around since the early 1900's. The proverb it much older of course. Anyway, some people may find this story morbid, I suppose, which is why I only gave it 4 stars, but I LOVE this book and it does end with a great moral. It brought back many memmories of my childhood and I'm glad to now have it as part of my own collection.
Rated by buyers 
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There is something about the magical that deeply appeals to children. That's why fairy tales are so beloved by them. Even folk tales, a more realistic spin-off of fairy tales, are also favorites of children.
No exception is "The Five Chinese Brothers," written by Claire Hucket Bishop and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. This 1938 publication is still in print, testifying to its popularity. The call of political incorrectness just does not apply here. These five brothers are identical, not because all Chinese people look alike, but because they are quintuplets. Does the story say so? No, but it only figures...
These five brothers--each has a unique gift, each strange, but nevertheless, their gifts are what this story is about. The very first brother can swallow the sea, the second has an iron neck, the third can stretch his legs indefinitely, the fourth cannot be burned, and the fifth can hold his breath indefinitely.
So the very first takes a child fishing and uses his sea-holding ability so that the child can pick seashells and the like normally hidden under the water. Sad, but the little boy is headstrong and won't return to shore, the brother lets out the sea, and the boy disappears. The brother is going to be executed by axe. He asks to go say goodbye to his mother and switches with his second brother whose neck cannot be hurt.
And so on with each brother who is to be punished by death. Finally, after the fifth try, the judge sets him free. He returns home and lives happily with his brothers and mother.
Children love this book because it strikes their fancy: wild abilities, escape from punishment, astonishment of the town folk, and freedom.
I can see that.
Rated by buyers 
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...your kids may never crawl out from under your covers. When I re-read this a while back, I found the violence (when the brothers use their special powers to avoid drowning, burning, chopping a head off, etc.,) well, a little too horrifying to show to my Chinese-American children. Just too much...I think they'd still be sleeping in my bed if I showed this to them. After purchasing with good intentions, I returned it. There was no one I'd give it to for the same reasons.
Rated by buyers -
I remember this book from when I was a child and I purchased it for my 4 year old's birthday. She wanted it read again and again and loved telling everyone else about it.
Rated by buyers -
Keep in mind, this is an old Chinese tale, not somehow a racist American interpretation of Chinese culture like some reviewers here try to make it out to be. I read this book in the 1980s when I was just a few years old. It was my favorite book. It was simple, easily readable, the pictures were funny, etc. I not once viewed the book as racist, or ethocentric, or God knows any other names liberal nutso's put on this book. When I was 2 years old.. 3 years old... 4?... I wasn't asking "Mommy, why are their faces yellow? Is this some sort of Communist plot at taking American hatred of the Chinese to a new level?" Sorry, I was reading the book as it was intended to be read... a simple picture book to entertain. As it stands, this book is a classic, and I'll be buying it again.
And you liberals out there... lighten up. It's too bad you're so guilt-ridden at living in a prosperous country that you're going to punish other Americans for your guilt. I, fortunately, don't have such mindless guilt. May God have mercy on your souls.
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