The Runaway Wok

The Runaway Wok is a picture book written by Ying Chang Compestine and illustrated by Sebastia Serra.[1] The story follows a boy named Ming and his adventures with a magical talking wok who grants wishes.[2][3]

The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale
AuthorYing Chang Compestine
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreChildren's books
PublisherDutton Books for Young Readers
Publication date
January 6, 2011
ISBN0525420681

Plot summary

In preparation for the Chinese New Year, the poor Zhang family sends Ming to the market to trade eggs for rice. At the market, an old man persuades Ming to trade the eggs for a magical talking wok.[4] When Ming's mother goes to reprimand him, the wok asks her to polish it. When she finishes cleaning the wok, it jumps away and rolls down the road. It returns three times with food, toys, and money taken from the greedy Mr. Li, taking from the rich and giving to the poor of the village.[5] At the end of the story the family shares the gifts of the wok with the community.[6][7] The story is based on a Danish folktale called The Talking Pot, and also alludes to The Gingerbread Man.[8][9]

The book concludes with an author's note and a recipe for "Festive Stir-Fried Rice" and also includes information about the symbolism of the wok and Chinese New Year's foods.[10]

Characters
  • Ming - Protagonist, poor, young boy
  • Mama Zhang - Ming's mother
  • Poppa Zhang - Ming's father
  • Old Man - Previous owner of the wok
  • Wok - Magical wok
  • Mr. Li - Antagonist, Richest man in Beijing
  • Mrs. Li - Mr. Li's wife
  • Lan Li - Son of Mr. and Mrs. Li

Critical reception

Library Media Connection wrote "The author and the illustrator have created a picture book that provides not only an excellent introduction to the Chinese New Year holiday, but a lesson on sharing."[11] School Library Journal called the illustrations vibrant, and that they "bring a stylized Beijing of once-upon-a-time to life."[10] Booklist praised the illustrations, which were painted by Sebastia Serra, and wrote that the "well-paced repetitive text reads aloud well."[12] Since the story is based on a folk tale about a talking pot, Kirkus Reviews, felt that using a wok instead was very appropriate, especially since a wok is "a traditional symbol of sharing."[4] It has also been reviewed by Horn Book Guide.[13]

Awards
  • 2013-14 Iowa Goldfinch Award Nominee[14][15]
  • 2013 Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award Nominee[16]
  • 2012 Storytelling World Resource Award[17]
  • 2011 Lasting Connections Top 30 Titles from Booklist[18]

References
  1. "About Sebastia Serra". sebastiaserra.com. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  2. "The Runaway Wok by Ying Chang Compestine | Scholastic". www.scholastic.com. Retrieved 2017-07-24.
  3. The Runaway Wok by Ying Chang Compestine | PenguinRandomHouse.com.
  4. "The Runaway Wok". Kirkus Reviews. 78 (24): 1265. 15 December 2010 – via EBSCOhost.
  5. Estrin, Heidi R. (December 2011). "A Calendar of Holidays". School Library Journal. 57 (12): 48 – via EBSCOhost.
  6. "The Runaway Wok by Ying Chang Compestine, illustrated by Sebastià Serra | BookDragon". BookDragon. 2010-12-11. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
  7. "A la Carte: 'The Runaway Wok' for kids". The Mercury News. 2011-01-28. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
  8. "Children's Book Review: The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale by Ying Chang Compestine". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  9. Hudson, Hannah Trierweiler (Winter 2011). "So Much to Celebrate!". Instructor. 120 (4): 26 – via EBSCOhost.
  10. Damron, Jayne (February 2011). "The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale". School Library Journal. 57 (2): 76 – via EBSCOhost.
  11. Drudge, Jo (August 2011). "The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale". Library Media Connection. 30 (1): 85 – via EBSCOhost.
  12. Engberg, Gillian (January 2011). "The Runaway Wok". Booklist. 107 (9/10): 114 – via EBSCOhost.
  13. "The runaway wok". catalog.wccls.org. Retrieved September 10, 2017. The detailed, vigorous illustrations reflect the mischievous wok's energy.
  14. "Iowa Book Awards 2013-2014: Goldfinch Awards 2013-2014". westunion.lib.ia.us. West Union Community Library. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  15. "Iowa Goldfinch Awards". johnstonlibrary.com. Johnston Public Library. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  16. "Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award: 2013 Activity Packet" (PDF). wla.org. Washington Library Association. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  17. "Member Awards & Achievements Fall 2012/Winter 2013". authorsguild.org. Authors Guild. December 21, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  18. "Ying Chang Compestine | Media Praise". yingc.com. Retrieved 2017-07-24.
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