The Emperor and the Kite facts for kids
Dust jacket of the First Edition
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| Author | Jane Yolen |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Ed Young |
| Cover artist | Young |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Picture book |
| Publisher | Putnam and Grosset |
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Publication date
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1967 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 32 pp |
| ISBN | 9780698116443 |
The Emperor and the Kite is a famous picture book from 1967. It was written by Jane Yolen and beautifully illustrated by Ed Young. This book was so special that it won a Caldecott Medal Honor in 1968. It was the first of three Caldecott Honors for Ed Young in his career!
About the Story and Art
This story is told in the present tense, which means it feels like it's happening right now. It's also told from a third-person point of view. This means a narrator tells you what's happening, not one of the characters. The book is a short story, only 32 pages long.
The main idea of the story is how much people's opinions can change. Especially when someone, like the daughter in this book, does something truly amazing.
The pictures in the book were created by Ed Young. His art is very detailed and uses a traditional style. The illustrations match the story perfectly. They help you imagine everything that is happening as you read.
What Happens in the Book
The story takes place in ancient China. There lives an emperor who has four sons and three daughters. He loves them all very much. Later, he has another daughter named Djeow Seow. But the emperor doesn't pay much attention to little Djeow Seow. She is often overlooked because she is so small and young.
One day, some "bad" men come and take the emperor. They secretly move him from his throne to a tall, lonely tower. Then, they lie to everyone and say the emperor is dead. But the "bad" men don't notice Djeow Seow. She is watching everything from a hidden corner.
Djeow Seow used to play with her kite every day. No one really noticed her or her kite. Now, she sees a chance to save her father. She thinks of a clever idea. She starts sending baskets of food to her father in the tower. She uses her kite string to deliver the food!
Finally, she uses the strong kite string to help her father escape. The emperor slides down the string to safety. He returns home and takes back control of China from the people who kidnapped him. After this, the emperor rules happily. He keeps his youngest daughter, Djeow Seow, right by his side. He shows her lots of love and attention, realizing how brave and smart she is.
