The Cricket Warrior : A Chinese Tale

From Publishers Weekly
When Cheng Ming and his son, Wei nian, capture a stout cricket, it looks as though they may be able to save their failing farm: the insect will serve as their overdue tax to the emperor, who loves cricket fights. Wei nian's curiosity gets the better of him, however, and, when he tries to get a better look at the cricket, it escapes. Desperate to make amends, Wei nian says yes when a mysterious old man asks him if he would like to take the cricket's place. Soon a scrawny but spirited red cricket becomes court champion. The Changs' (In the Eye of War) dynamic retelling of this tale, which was first recorded in the 17th century, emphasizes Wei nian's concern with honor, the humor of his role as underdog (facing his first cricket opponent, he "waved [his] antennae, trying to look fierce") and the strength of the familial bond: although Cheng Ming has received riches for his cricket and Wei nian as cricket has garnered fame, both are truly happy only when they are reunited. Hutton (Persephone) evokes a memorable Chinese landscape, serene and seemingly timeless under an inky moonlit sky. His delicate lines and luminiscent washes capture the feistiness of the red cricket as well as the magic attending the transformations that frame the tale. Ages 5-9. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 4?Wei nian loses his father's fighting cricket, the family's only hope to rise out of poverty. Distraught, he gets a spirit to turn him into a cricket and wins many matches, making his parents rich. Ultimately, he regains human form and grows up to become a poet and painter of crickets. The Changs' retelling of this ancient tale, first redacted by Pu Songling (1640-1715), downplays the satire found in that version while emphasizing the humanity and magical elements. Their brisk, colloquial narrative is stylish and skillfully renders each turn of plot. Although there are some inaccuracies, Hutton's impressionistic watercolors are richly colored and display interesting perspective. The crickets are particularly appealing.?John Philbrook, San Francisco Public LibraryCopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 5-9. In ancient China, the emperor enjoys watching cricket fights so much that he imposes a cricket tax to be paid by all his people. A poor farmer at last catches a cricket for the tax, but his curious son peeks into its case and accidentally releases it. Magically transformed into a fighting cricket, the boy saves his family and their farm. In the appended source note, the writers comment on the tale's origin and translation and mention their focus "on elements common in Chinese folklore--magical transformation and family loyalty." Told in a fluid, narrative style spiced with dramatic dialogue, the story has the added appeal of a child as hero. Hutton's watercolor-and-ink artwork skillfully illustrates the tale. A good story to read aloud. Carolyn Phelan

From Kirkus Reviews
A tale of magic and loyalty, first told some 300 years ago in China. It was a time when the emperor was smitten with fighting crickets, going so far as to levy a tax to increase his cricket stable. One victim of the tax, about to be thrown in jail for failing to ante up, manages to bag the Mike Tyson of crickets, only to have it escape through the foolishness of his son. An old soul comes to the son's rescue but requires him to turn into a cricket. A series of prize fights ensues, including bouts with Crabshell Blue and Longwings, both court champions. Wei nian--the son, now cricket--prevails, becoming the hero of the court, but homesickness prompts him to attempt a dangerous escape across a chicken-strewn yard. The old soul again comes to his rescue, this time transforming Wei nian back into a boy and reuniting him with his family. The Changs know how to give the whims of authority a good lambasting without getting smug about it, and Hutton's crabbed pen-and-wash illustrations bring a Roz Chast leavening to the serious themes of the story. (Picture book. 5-9) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Card catalog description
In order to save his family, a Chinese boy turns into a fighting cricket and becomes the emperor's champion.


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In ancient China, the emperor enjoys watching cricket fights so much that he imposes a cricket tax to be paid by all his people. A poor farmer at last catches a cricket for the tax, but his curious son peeks into its case and accidentally releases it. Magically transformed into a fighting cricket, the boy saves his family and their farm. In the appended source note, the writers comment on the tale's origin and translation and mention their focus "on elements common in Chinese folklore--magical transformation and family loyalty." Told in a fluid, narrative style spiced with dramatic dialogue, the story has the added appeal of a child as hero. Hutton's watercolor-and-ink artwork skillfully illustrates the tale. A good story to read aloud.


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