The Wise Washerman: A Folktale from Burma

Froese, Deborah

4

8 ratings by Goodreads

9780786822324: The Wise Washerman: A Folktale from Burma

ISBN 10: 0786822325 ISBN 13: 9780786822324

Publisher: Disney Pr

Jealous of his neighbor's happiness and prosperity, lazy potter Narathu plots to destroy Aung Kyaing, an industrious and clever washerman, but the wise washerman turns the tables on the treacherous Narathu.

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From Publishers Weekly:

In her first children's book, Froese retells a diverting folktale in lively, forthright prose. Aung Kyaing, a washerman, is so gifted at his work that "everyone believed that he worked magic in his worktub." Jealous of his hardworking neighbor's stature, a potter devises a nasty plot. Appealing to the king's vanity, he suggests that the ruler lacks one luxury: " 'Well, Exalted One,' hesitated Narathu, feigning meekness. 'If I might beg your pardon, it's your elephant.' " Like all the legendary kings, the potter announces, this king deserves to ride a white elephant rather than his dingy gray one. And who is better qualified to turn the beast sparkling white than the diligent washerman, certain to be banished forever when he fails at this impossible task? Following the narrative to its satisfying close, readers also get a taste of Burmese names and works, for which phonetic pronunciations are supplied parenthetically. Kui, also a first-time artist, contributes lavish, full-spread watercolor and gouache paintings, setting them into motion with swirling floral and geometric patterns. Black-and-white Burmese motifs box the text. Distinctive and imaginative, the art wraps the story in an extravagant garment of almost-psychedelic pastel colors. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 3. A tale about an industrious washerman and his jealous neighbor, a lazy potter. Narathu thinks success comes too easily to Aung Kyaing, who makes "white clothes gleam like the snowcapped mountains and colorful clothes sparkle like jeweled pagodas." He plots to get Aung Kyaing in trouble by telling the king that the washerman can surely turn a gray elephant into a more desirable white one. The king's fancy overcomes his common sense, and he sends his demand to the washerman. Clever Aung Kyaing says that he will perform the task at the time of Thingyan, the Water Festival, and asks that Narathu make a clay dish big enough to hold the animal for proper washing. When the huge pot cracks under the elephant's weight, it is Narathu who is banished. Children old enough to appreciate trickery, cleverness, and justice will enjoy this tale. The story is well told and moves at a pleasant pace, though the last line is jarring. The double-page watercolor paintings are graceful and rhythmic and feature attractive decorative patterns. There are pronunciation guides for the names and facts about Burma and the Water Festival, but no source notes.?Marilyn Iarusso, New York Public Library
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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