The Cat From Hunger Mountain - Hardcover

Young, Ed

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0399172785 ISBN 13: 9780399172786

Publisher: Philomel Books, 2016

Synopsis

Caldecott Medalist Ed Young delivers a visually stunning, poignant story about humility, wastefulness, and appreciating what one has.

A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2016!

An Amazon Best Book of the Year!

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year!

"Young creates a stunning visual symphony with a surprising and unsettling emotional power."--New York Times Book Review

* "The well-paced fable is visually stunning . . . Young is at the height of his powers in this fable that offers a feast for the eyes, mind, and soul. A visual masterpiece."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Caldecott-winning author/illustrator Young has created another stunning and meaningful picture book to be enjoyed by all ages. This book is exquisite in text, tone, and illustration. A compelling fable that is crucial for humanity and will spark meaningful classroom conversations."--School Library Journal, starred review

* "Young weaves an elegant cautionary fable."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

In a place called Hunger Mountain there lives a lord who has everything imaginable yet never has enough. To satisfy his every desire, he hires builders to design the tallest pagoda; a world-famous tailor to make his clothing from silk and gold threads; and a renowned chef to cook him lavish meals with rice from the lord's own fields. What more could he possibly want?

Yet when drought plagues the land, Lord Cat is faced with his first taste of deep loss, he ventures down the mountain and what he discovers will change his life forever.

Rendered in exquisite mixed-media collage, Caldecott Medalist Ed Young's deceptively simple fable is a deeply affecting tale about appreciating the value of treasures that need not be chased.

About this title

About the Author

Caldecott Medalist Ed Young (www.edyoungart.com) is the illustrator of over eighty books for children, seventeen of which he has also written. He finds inspiration for his work in the philosophy of Chinese painting. Born in Tientsin, China, Ed Young grew up in Shanghai and later moved to Hong Kong. As a young man, he came to the United States on a student visa to study architecture but turned instead to his love of art. A graduate of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Young has since taught at the Pratt Institute, Yale University, Naropa Institute, and the University of California at Santa Cruz. In 1990, his book Lon Po Po was awarded the Caldecott Medal. He has also received two Caldecott Honor Medals, for The Emperor and the Kite and Seven Blind Mice. Mr. Young has twice been nominated for the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award for the body of his work. He lives in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.

Reviews

K-Gr 4—Lord Cat lives well on his mountaintop, blessed with the finest of goods and plenty of rice to eat. He has servants to build him the best home and prepare and serve his delicious meals. There are also workers to tend his prolific rice paddies. Life is stable until, one year, drought hits and crops fail. Eventually most of the villagers move from the mountain in search of a better life. Lord Cat refuses to abandon all that he has accrued even though his great wealth now means nothing. Finally, at the point of starvation, he leaves his home to beg for food from whomever he can. He learns of a generous monk, willing to serve rice to any in need. Lord Cat becomes most grateful for just a half bowl of rice that he would have scorned and thrown away before. Lord Cat learns an invaluable lesson when he discovers how the gracious monk accumulated his reserve. Caldecott-winning author/illustrator Young has created another stunning and meaningful picture book to be enjoyed by all ages. This poignant story reinforces the importance of limiting waste, being grateful for what one has, and sharing in a manner that is deliberate and sincere. The animal characters make this title especially inviting and accessible for young readers. The visuals, completed in mixed-media collage, are striking with their use of many colors, textures, and types of materials. This book is exquisite in text, tone, and illustration. VERDICT A compelling fable that is crucial for humanity and will spark meaningful classroom conversations.—Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE

Edition details

• Publisher: Philomel Books
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0399172785
• ISBN 13: 9780399172786
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Young Ed
• Number of pages: 32