Basket Weaver and Catches Many Mice

Gill, Janet

ISBN 10: 0679989226 ISBN 13: 9780679989226

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 1999

Synopsis

Janet Gill spins a modern fable about a skilled artisan, Basket Weaver, and his lucky cat, Catches Many Mice. Basket Weaver makes all kinds of baskets, but when he makes one for a newborn baby, he chooses his materials carefully--rushes that will bend but not break, owl feathers for wisdom, cherry branches for long life.  One day, he and three other basket weavers are selected to make baskets for the Emperor's newborn daughter.  The one whose basket is chosen will be granted three requests--the others will be sent to work in the mines. Standing before the Emperor on the appointed day, Basket Weaver fears the worst, but a surprise appearance by Catches Many Mice and her newborn kitten nestled in his basket wins the hearts of the Emperor and Empress.  Basket Weaver is declared the winner and his three requests provide a timely moral lesson about the importance of home, family, and conscience.  Yangsook Choi's lush oil paintings, filled with exquisite Asian imagery and landscapes, give this heartwarming tale the feel of a classic.

About this title

About the Author:

JANET GILL is a published poet and teaches creative writing near her home in Bellevue, Washington. She is the author of many novels for young readers, including The Swim Team series.

YANGSOOK CHOI received her master's in fine arts from the School of Visual Arts. Her first book for Knopf was The Sun Girl and the Moon Boy. A native of Korea, she now lives in New York City.

From Publishers Weekly:

In Gill's (the Swim Team series) original folktale set in a land ruled by a fearsome emperor, a cat repays an act of human kindness. When a man named Basket Weaver, signifying his trade, rescues a drowning feline, he calls her Catches Many Mice, believing that "everyone should have a name to live up to." He is pleased when the foundling decides to stay with him because cats are honored in his country; they "followed their own minds and always made wise choices." One day, the emperor orders Basket Weaver and three others each to produce a basket for his newborn daughter to sleep in; the winning weaver will remain at the emperor's palace and will be granted three requests, but the others will spend seven years working in the mines. The unexpected contents of Basket Weaver's creation (Catches Many Mice and her tiny kitten) thrill the emperor, who interprets their presence as a sign that his daughter will follow her own mind and make wise choices. Declared the victor, Basket Weaver uses one of his wishes to spare his competitors their dismal fate. Choi's (The Sun Girl and the Moon Boy) spare yet elegant paintings are rendered in colors as luxurious as silk; they seem to cast an iridescent glow over the proceedings. The story's message of the merits of prudence and benevolence will not be lost on readers. Ages 5-8. (June)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0679989226
• ISBN 13: 9780679989226
• Binding: Library Binding
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Choi Yangsook, Juno Art Inc.