The Fourth Question: A Chinese Tale

A young man named Yee-Lee goes on a journey to the Wise Man of Kun-lun Mountain to discover the reason for his poverty.

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- Long ago in China there lived a man named Yee-Lee, a poor farmer who never had enough to eat in spite of his hard work. He decides to travel to the Wise Man of Kun-lun Mountain to seek advice. Along his journey he encounters three people who implore him to ask questions for them as well. When Yee-Lee reaches his destination, the Wise Man will only allow him to ask an odd number of questions. Yee-Lee then sets aside his own request to obtain answers for his new friends. As he returns home, the three answers each benefit him in turn; in the end Yee-Lee has learned that helping others can bring its own rewards. The story is an interesting variation on an old folklore motif, and the illustrations have a luminous quality with strong line and muted colors. There is plenty of action in the drawings for use with a group reading and much detail to please children reading alone. A well-designed book with a solid story, this is certain to become an old favorite. --Connie C. Rockman, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In this Chinese folktale, Yee-Lee undertakes a long journey to ask the Wise Man of Kun-lin Mountain the reason for his continual poverty. Along the way, several people whom he encounters request that Yee-Lee make inquiries on their behalf. The wise man allows him only three questions, however, and Yee-Lee selflessly foregoes his own concerns--and finds that helping others brings both spiritual and material rewards. Wang's smooth, straightforward retelling and Chen's muted illustrations are low-key and appealing, but not in any way distinctive--the result is a pleasing but not especially memorable tale. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A well-told, nicely balanced story with an admirable message. Hard-working Yee-Lee sets out to ask a wise man why he is so poor. En route, he agrees to ask the wise man questions for three others: the mother of a mute daughter, the owner of a barren fruit tree, and a dragon who yearns to ascend to heaven. Finding that the wise man will answer only three questions, Yee- lee omits his own--to find, of course, that the other answers have the effect of granting all he could wish for. In rough pencil and subtle colors, Chen's beautifully designed, stylized illustrations--an imaginative blend of references to Chinese art with simple forms like dePaola's--reflect the story's warmth and gentle humor. Unusually satisfying. (Folklore/Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.