China's Bravest Girl: The Legend of Hua Mu LAN

by Charlie Chin

Book Overview

Hua Mu Lan convinces her father that she must go to war to protect the family honor--because there is no eldest son. In this adaptation of the beloved Chinese legend of the maiden warrior, poet... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892391480
• ISBN13: 9780892391486
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Children's Book Press (CA)
• Length: 30 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.6" x 9.5"
• Age Range: 6 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 1 and higher

Customer Reviews

China's Bravest Girl

This is actually one of my favorite books. I have owned a copy since it first came out, and keep having to buy new ones because my student's also love it. I am a 4th grade teacher, and when a student leaves my class, I allow the child to pick a favorite book - any book I own - to take as my gift. The kid's usually choose either China's Bravest Girl, or El Chino by Allen Say. That says a lot for a book! The story and illustrations engage the students strongly - they love the images, the poetry, the Chinese character. The story gives them hope that they too can be heroes and change the world. Please get yourself and your children a copy - in fact get two - you will end up giving one away.

A nice addition to any Mulan fans library.

This story is told in the format of a song. The song is the re-telling of the legend of Mulan. The story is close to disneys version of Mulan, but has several differences. One difference is that Mulan and her family decide together that Mulan shall go in her fathers place. Mulan fights in many battles intead of just one. No mention of her being hurt and then her gender being discovered. She is discovered when she returned home and another soldier who was traveling with her finds out her true gender. Prior to reading this to my 5 yo, we discussed how this was the original story. It sparked a discussion on how sometimes a book and a movie can be very different. It was a hit with my child. One that I expect to read again and again. A nice addition to any Mulan fans library.

An entertaining alternative version of Disney's latest

Since Disney has appropriated another folk tale, I think that it's important to expose your kids to preDisney tellings. This version of the story is really well done. It has some of the qunt, old fashioned feel of the original chinese (so I am told), only toned down for a young audience. It is well illustrated, and is far more historically accurate than the movie. My 6 year old son has requested it for a bedtime story every night since we bought it.