The Empty Pot
The Empty Pot is Demi's beloved picture book about an honest schoolboy
A long time ago in China there was a boy named Ping who loved flowers. Anything he planted burst into bloom.
The Emperor loved flowers too. When it was time to choose an heir, he gave a flower seed to each child in the kingdom. "Whoever can show me their best in a year's time," he proclaimed, "shall succeed me to the throne!"
Ping plants his seed and tends it every day. But month after month passes, and nothing grows. When spring comes, Ping must go to the Emperor with nothing but an empty pot.
Demi's exquisite art and beautifully simple text show how Ping's embarrassing failure is turned triumphant in this satisfying tale of honesty rewarded.
An IRA-CBC Children's Choice.
An American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists."
Reviews (189)
A beautiful book with wonderful illustrations. I think the core value of the book is a vital one and is important to learn.
A friend of mine told me about this book and I was immediately taken with the story. I love the core point of personal integrity, sincere effort, and honesty in the story. I think that the way the story twists and makes its point at the end is powerful and will stick with its target audience. Heck, it will stick with me. But then I was already taken with those values a half century ago. When I see so many young people willing to cheat to “get ahead” and the idea that the ends justify the means or that getting your agenda implemented “by any means necessary” seems justified, well, I am horrified. This book makes the opposite and more traditional point. I think the traditional value has a longer term importance where the short term getting it all now seems attractive to some in the present, it yields a toxic fruit. The illustrations for the story are also beautiful and add to the interest children will have in reading the book. This is a story an adult can read with a child many times without wanting to beat their head against the wall, unlike so many children’s books that quickly become torture to read over and over and over again. I bought several copies for my grandkids and will keep buying them as new grandkids come along. And I will likely give it to other children for gifts, as well. I think it is that good. Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Saline, MI
A PARABLE FOR WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN LIFE!
I heard about this beautiful story in another book called, Golden, by Joni Hilton. I love children's picture storybooks so I was curious and checked it out. I love it's wonderful message of honesty and integrity. It's a parable for what is truly important in life! I not only bought the kindle version for myself, I bought a hardcover copy to give as a gift. It is marketed for ages 4-8, but it's also for those who are young at heart, and anyone who loves books! Note: The kindle version of any picture book is never going to be as nice as the hardcover copy. But it's still nice to have because it's always with you, and easy to share from an iPad. You just have to learn how to "click" the words on the very first page to enlarge them—in this case, the dedication—and then swipe each page after that to enlarge the rest of the text. "You did your best, and your best is good enough to present to the Emperor." —Demi, The Empty Pot
Good message, just ok images
The message of this story is about telling the truth. I loved how that message was so clearly demonstrated. I personally did not like the images simply because the young kids I read this too had trouble connecting to those images. The images are an ancient Chinese style done on fans. The images look like they came out of a museum, not a kids book. It is good fir kids to be exposed to other cultures and their artwork etc, but I just felt the images did not connect to the 5-6 year olds.
TEACHES ABOUT HONESTY AND INTEGRITY--LOVELY BOOK
LOVE THIS BOOK! My student were exposed to this charming tale when I taught second grade. It was in one of our texts. Now the grandkids' school chose it for their Character Trait on Integrity. Beautiful, charming, meaningful story of a little boy faced with a choice on whether to be honest or not, in the face of competition. Beautiful art. My two (ages 8 and 6) love it; I love it. Cute story, great art, engaging story, great moral to the story.
Great message about putting your best efforts in
I LOVE this book. My aunt bought it for me when I was a kid and now I am buying it for her granddaughter! It is such a great lesson about ALWAYS trying your best and being true to yourself and you will come out on top! Have read this in may classrooms!
This story is a gem for explaining what honesty is...
This a delightfully easy story to read, the word to picture ration is wonderful even for your most impatient listener, the pictures are interesting to look at with many little rewards for the interested viewer. The story is the gem, giving a great opportunity to discuss what honesty and integrity and honor are. Loved this story, I will be looking to get copies for gifts. Totally recommend 100% and receive no discount for our review or with our purchase, but you're welcome to leave feedback if this was helpful to you.
Great Story....So So Illustrations
A friend recommended this book. She said it is her girls' favorite. I really liked the story but the illustrations were disappointing. Still, the message is strong enough to carry the book. Read it. It is an important lesson in integrity and honesty.
Folds in the mail
I’m sad that I ordered a new book, but I got it and it was completely folded in half and all the pages are creased. Should add something stiff to the package to keep it flat in the mail.
MY FAVORITE BOOK
This is my most favorite children's book of all time. I love the glimpse of Chinese culture, the simple yet gorgeous illustrations and the easy yet meaningful story that teaches the value of honesty and integrity.
This is a wonderful book about honesty
This is a wonderful book about honesty. I bought this as a gift for my daughter’s first grade teacher. She hadn’t seen the book before however she really enjoyed it and so did the class! My one mistake was not buying a copy for our house!
Comments
Post a Comment