The Khan's Daughter: A Mongolian Folktale

From Publishers Weekly
In this humorous folktale, a cocky peasant, Mongke, sets out to win the hand of the Khan's daughter, and is given the requisite series of trials to prove his worth. He prevails, but not because he is particularly clever or brave. The Khan's daughter, Borta, is not looking for a hero anyway: she is perfectly happy with a guy who caves in at the first sign of danger. Yep's colloquial retelling?at one point a doubting Mongke takes a snack break on his way to slay some demons "since food always cheered him up"?suits the unassuming tale. The brisk pace risks being cursory, but the prose is assured; in the peasant's first glimpse, the city of domed tents resembles "so many buttons sewn onto a giant sheet of brown felt." While the casual tone updates an old tale, the animated watercolors of the Tsengs, who have collaborated with Yep before (The Ghost Fox; The Boy Who Swallowed Snakes), establish the Mongolian setting. Their work hinting strongly at the influence of Chinese narrative painting, they adroitly portray the sumptuous dress of the Khan's court and the contrastingly plain landscapes. This story embraces human foibles with both the ageless charm of a traditional tale and the informal breeziness of a modern sensibility. Ages 5-8. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3?In order to fulfill a prophecy and win the hand of the Khan's daughter in marriage, Mongke, a shepherd, must succeed in three trials. His mother-in-law-to-be sets the first two. To prove his strength, he must steal the wealth of seven demons. To demonstrate his bravery, he must vanquish the enemy. The third trial, however, is imposed by the Khan's daughter herself, after which a humbled but determined Mongke does indeed become a wise and beloved husband. While this retelling of a Mongolian folktale adheres to the predictable and traditional quest motif, Yep succeeds in endowing his characters with multidimensional personalities. Mongke is brave, foolish, boastful, then finally contrite. Women are not simply trophies but actively determine their destiny. The well-paced story effortlessly balances humor and adventure, fantasy and reality, and is wonderfully enhanced by the artwork. From their ravishing cover with its acrylic portrait of the Khan's daughter (and a dashing but much smaller Mongke) superimposed on luminous gold leaf, through the gold-framed watercolors that add a wealth of detail and atmosphere, the Tsengs once again capture a faraway place and time and make it eminently accessible to children?just as they did in Margaret Mahy's The Seven Chinese Brothers (Scholastic, 1990). As a sprightly read-aloud or an opportunity for independent readers to lose themselves in an unfamiliar and fascinating culture, this is a solid addition to folklore collections.?Carol Ann Wilson, Westfield Memorial Library, NJCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Ages 5^-8. Yep begins this retelling of a Mongolian folktale by introducing Mongke, a confident, likable young shepherd who believes that his destiny includes both marriage to the khan's daughter and the ability to meet every challenge placed before him. Although he bests some tremendous opponents, his most difficult match proves to be the khan's daughter herself. Yep's strong folkloric narrative is amplified by splendid watercolor illustrations: some children will like the liveliness of the horses; others will relish the gruesome demon spirits, pore over the battle scenes, or enjoy the finely detailed costumes. With engaging human characters, frightful monsters, dramatic tension within a warrior-based society, powerful illustrations, and plenty of action, this is the sort of book that will appeal to diverse ages and sensibilities. A wonderful choice. Karen Morgan


From Kirkus Reviews
Yep (The Boy Who Swallowed Snakes, 1994, etc.) extends his series of picture-book retellings of Asian folktales with this Mongolian story of a poor young shepherd who wins the hand of the Khan's daughter through dumb luck and the smitten maiden's collusion. As is usual in such stories, there are three impossible tasks to be accomplished before the hero, M”ngke, may wed lovely Borte. He vanquishes seven gruesome demons, frightens off an enemy army, and, in a trial suggested by Borte, ``conquers'' Bagatur the Clever and Mighty (actually his bride-to-be disguised as a warrior) by surrendering the instant he is endangered. The high-spirited story is ideal--barring a few awkward phrases--for reading aloud. The Tsengs' vibrant watercolors bring the windswept Mongolian steppes and the proud luxury of the Khan's court vividly to the page. The jacket art is especially striking: A montage of acrylic on gold leaf shows Borte in a bejeweled headdress, M”ngke astride his sturdy pony at full gallop, and the wind-whipped banners and embroidered felt tents of the Khan's realm. (Picture book/folklore. 7-10) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


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Gr 1-3-In order to fulfill a prophecy and win the hand of the Khan's daughter in marriage, Mngke, a shepherd, must succeed in three trials. His mother-in-law-to-be sets the first two. To prove his strength, he must steal the wealth of seven demons. To demonstrate his bravery, he must vanquish the enemy. The third trial, however, is imposed by the Khan's daughter herself, after which a humbled but determined Mngke does indeed become a wise and beloved husband. While this retelling of a Mongolian folktale adheres to the predictable and traditional quest motif, Yep succeeds in endowing his characters with multidimensional personalities. Mngke is brave, foolish, boastful, then finally contrite. Women are not simply trophies but actively determine their destiny. The well-paced story effortlessly balances humor and adventure, fantasy and reality, and is wonderfully enhanced by the artwork. From their ravishing cover with its acrylic portrait of the Khan's daughter (and a dashing but much smaller Mngke) superimposed on luminous gold leaf, through the gold-framed watercolors that add a wealth of detail and atmosphere, the Tsengs once again capture a faraway place and time and make it eminently accessible to children-just as they did in Margaret Mahy's The Seven Chinese Brothers (Scholastic, 1990). As a sprightly read-aloud or an opportunity for independent readers to lose themselves in an unfamiliar and fascinating culture, this is a solid addition to folklore collections.-Carol Ann Wilson, Westfield Memorial Library, NJ Read all 6 "From The Critics" >


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