The Runaway Rice Cake by Ying Chang Compestine

The Runaway Rice Cake Reviews

• 
  Abigail

  Although suffering from the effects of a year of drought, and the food shortages that followed it, the Chang family prepares for the New Year's celebration as best they can in this heartwarming holiday picture-book, tending to their Kitchen God's altar, and using the last of their rice flour to cook one single nián-gão, or New Year's cake. When the nián-gão jumps out of the pan, however, and takes off with a shout of "Ai yo! I don't think so!," the Changs immediately give chase, pursuing the fleeing pastry through the village, until they all, pursued and pursuers, collide with an elderly woman, unsteady on her feet because of hunger. Will the rebellious cake relent, in the face of true need? Will the Changs, with their three hungry boys, share what they have?
  
  The answer to both of these questions is yes, making this Chinese New year's tale, and its conclusion, in which generosity and virtue are amply rewarded, both an engaging story, and a gentle reminder of what is truly important, at this pivotal moment in the year. I appreciated the similarities here, both to the runaway
  Gingerbread Man tale-type (it's a pancake, in many cultures), and to the
  Stone Soup story, with its group of villagers that pool what they have, and end up with more than they expected. The artwork, done in acrylic by Tungwai Chau, is colorful and appealing. All in all, a solidly engaging story, one I recommend to anyone looking for children's books with a Chinese New Year's theme.
• 
  Mbgirl

  The illustrations were key to this children’s book.
  Lots to observe and learn about village life. And the recipe for both steamed and baked rice “cake” was a bonus.
  
  Runaway Wok— next title
• 
  Celia Buell

  Most of the Chinese New Year books we see depict celebrations held by those who have plenty. But what happens when families don't have much to eat around special holidays?
  The Runaway Rice Cake presents a humorous yet thought-provoking answer to this question.
  
  The Chang family only has enough flour for one Nián gāo, or rice cake, for their Lunar New Year celebration. But once it's out of the steamer, it comes alive, and with an "Ai yo, I don't think so!" it runs away. It runs past pigs and chickens and all through town, and the Changs run past it, but no one can catch it. Finally, it runs into an old woman, and the Changs catch up to it there. The youngest child suggests sharing the rice cake with the old woman, who hasn't eaten in days, and the two older sons grumble, but eventually the family agrees. But the woman accidentally eats all of it, and the Changs are left with nothing. When they return home, neighbors who saw what happened (the people from the earlier scenes throughout the city) offer food, and the Changs gratefully accept. But when they get it home, they find their kitchen god has rewarded them with a big feast.
  
  I really enjoyed this one. It's a good example of showing how holidays can affect families in different ways, even if they cannot practice their celebrations the way we've been taught that "all" people of a certain background practice. I think a lot of kids from all cultural backgrounds could relate to the idea of not having what you want for a special day, even down to far more trivial things like not receiving a coveted gift, or still having to go to school on their birthday. Even though the Changs' situation is much more serious, this brings up a good way for kids to make connections across cultures and to think about perspectives.
  
  I really appreciated the characters in this one. While the main conflict is the titular runaway rice cake, there is also a conflict of interest within the family. The two older sons, Cong and Ming, are most concerned with filling their bellies, and what will benefit the family in the short term. In contrast, Da, the youngest, is almost a Tiny Tim figure in the way he wants everyone to be happy, far beyond the family. He is the ideal child, a figurehead for the rest of the family.
  
  I also appreciated how much emphasis this put on domestic Chinese New Year traditions. The beginning scenes depict the family's send-off to their kitchen god and the reasons behind the traditions. The kitchen gods play a central role as the family returns as well. I also like that the reasons for all the different foods are included. As someone who has foods we like to make for holidays, but no particular reasoning behind them, I liked learning about all the reasons behind the foods in this one.
  
  I loved
  Tungwai Chau's illustrations as well. They're influenced by traditional Chinese painting techniques and brushstrokes, and they're adorable. The facial expressions on each page are spot on.
  
  Both author
  Ying Chang Compestine and illustrator
  Tungwai Chau are own voices creators, from China and Hong Kong respectively. I love to see this, especially because it seems so many books set in Asia are still often written by non-Asians. Compestine and Chau make the story come alive with their experiences.
  
  Back matter contains a note about some traditions concerning kitchen gods and foods, as well as two recipes for Nián gāo. I also appreciate that there's a glossary / pronunciation guide for the Chinese terms from the book in the front instead of in the back, because this can be helpful for previewing these unfamiliar terms.
  
  I think
  The Runaway Rice Cake would work best as a read-aloud for kids 6-9, or for kind that age to read on their own.
  
  *Read for:
  Children's Book group (Picture Book Club) - January 2023 New Year's Celebrations
• 
  Lynn

  Sweet Chinese New Year story written similarly to The Gingerbread Man. A family with limited food sources bake a rice cake and offer it to the kitchen god. The two oldest boys pray to the Kitchen God to eat it, the youngest prays that the cake be used the way the kit hen god prefers. After baking, the rice cake runs away and leads the family in a merry chase. But what does the kitchen god want with it?
• 
  Melissa Overland-mckay

  It’s Chinese New Year and the Chang family has only enough rice to make one rice cake (Gao). But when it is all ready something, terrible happens and the rice cake comes alive and tries to run away. Running all over the city, the rice cake disrupts the town, the whole time getting away with a sly goodbye until it collides with an old women who expresses her weakness and the rice cake forfeits and is shared by the Chang family. But soon the old lady devours the rice cake, and she disappears from embarrassment. That is when the sad, hungry Chang family heads home and is greeted by their fellow towns people offering them food and in the spirit the Chang family they offer to share their meal. Than something magical happens and the food brought to the table grows at leaps and the family and friends share a wonderful meal together and celebrate the most magical Chinese New year yet.
  
  Ying Chang Compestine the author of the book is able to take a well-known cultural holiday and turn it into a fun, new exciting story. Ying’s use of relatable characters and setting makes the story that much more real for the reader, and although many readers may not celebrate the holiday and or know some of the Chinese terms with the easy follow along storyline the readers are able to learn about the Chinese culture and appreciate the message. Ying’s use of culture awareness and clear descriptions of how the characters are feeling really shows her illustrative qualities. Each page of the book is filled with terrific imagery and fun memorable words. This book is a cultural folktale and shares a message everyone can learn from.
  
• 
  SJ

  Summary: This humorous yet insightful story tells the tale of the Chang family’s magical New Years Eve celebration. While preparing what little food they have left for the celebration, the Chang family’s rice cake magically comes to life and runs away. As the family chases after the rice cake they come across an elderly woman who is frail and hungry. This meeting and what follows teaches the Chang family an important lesson about generosity and sharing with those in need.
  
  “It all happened one Chinese New Year’s Eve”. The opening of this story introduces the Chang family along with giving the reader some insight about Chinese traditions. The illustrations show the unique dress, décor, and backdrop of a small Chinese village. The jovial sons help create a positive tone while the cartoonish style and actions of the rice cake man add humor to the story. While the plot consists of a runaway cake man, there is a deeper theme behind the story which reveals itself when the cake man runs into a fragile old lady. The Chang boys learn a valuable lesson about sharing with those in need. Their generosity is then reciprocated by the villagers in town, along with a little magic! You can see the excitement of the children, movement of the dragon, and the pop of firecrackers in the closing of the story, “the happiest New Year’s Eve the Chang’s had ever celebrated.”
  
• 
  Supriya Bansal

  The book kicks off with the Chang family worshiping the kitchen god to take the message about the family’s good deeds to the emperor in heaven for a reward.
  
  Shades of the gingerbread man creep up as their freshly baked nián-gão, a rice cake, sprints around the village yodeling versions of
  
  “Ai yo! I don’t think so.”
  
  The similarities end soon only to highlight the poor family’s unselfish good deed. Will they get rewarded by the emperor? Will their god deed spill over to the neighbors and villagers, weaving magic for everyone.
  
  The author has captured the emotions of the three boys of the family so well, giving them Chinese names that suit their personalities. A guide to the pronunciation of Chinese words is a lifesaver. The author brings out the unique traits of the boys at different parts of the story, stressing how each and every individual quirk makes a family whole. The eldest is named Ming, meaning bright. The middle child, Cong’s name means clever in Chinese, and Da, the youngest, means understanding in every situation.
  
  A guide detailing the Chinese New Year and the implications of lion dancers, new clothes, different foods- noodles, fish, and whole chicken adds charm to the book.
  
  The lively acrylic illustrations of the Chinese fishing village, lion dancers, and firecrackers set the story’s mood. It ends the narrative on a high note. A recipe for baked and steamed nián-gão was the icing on our rice cake.
  
  Final verdict-
  
  A heartwarming book about how generosity, kindness, and empathy get rewarded. The family has barely enough for themselves, but they give it all, expecting nothing in return. How a sad day spins into a joyful celebration with umpteen rewards makes for a beautiful read as you welcome the new year with your kids.
  
  On a secondary note, the book made me wonder why people who have less give more? Have you noticed it too? What do you think is the reason? Would love to know your thoughts!
• 
  Emily

  The Runaway Rice Cake is a fun story that teaches the importance of sharing, generosity, and community. Somewhat reminiscent of The Gingerbread Man, it’s set during the Chinese New Year. A poor family makes a special meal for their celebration, but the meal comes to life and runs away. This sets the family on a long chase, full of the unexpected. The illustrations are vivid and colorful and really bring the characters to life.
  
  This story does incorporate some elements of traditional literature. The closing line “It was the happiest New Year’s Eve the Changs had ever celebrated,” is reminiscent of the ritual closing “And they lived happily ever after.” The story is set in the Chang families home or “cottage,” which is common setting for peasants in traditional stories. The story eventually heads out to “the road” and then back home again. The characters are introduced with little backstory, and the plot focuses more on the theme.
  
• 
  AMY

  A poor Chinese family bakes a lucky rice cake that comes alive - says, "Ai you! I don't think so!" when mom tries to eat it. It rolled out of the kitchen and house. It passes a pig, chickens, a woman, fisherman, and an old woman catches him. It is their grandmother. The rice cake stops and hears she has not eaten for a couple of days so he lets her eat him. A woman was waiting at the family's house with food for them. Others arrive with more food! Everyone came inside and filled their baskets with food. It became a New Year's celebration and the food begins multiplying. A dragon brings them special gifts. Noodles stand for long life. Great illustrations and additional information at the end of the book. There are also recipes available. The concept of showing respect to elders is well-developed in the story. It is a great family story with beautiful illustrations. Highly recommended for Grades K - 5.
• 
  Aryiel Vopalensky

  The story of the Runaway Rice Cake begins with the Chang family in the middle of celebration. The children are eager to eat up the rice cakes but their mother sadly informs them that they only have enough ingredients for one. When the family finishes making the rice cake it jumps up and scurries off. They all attempt to catch it but they never catch up until it runs into an old woman. As a token of apology the Chang’s offer the rice cake leaving them with nothing. However, the village responds to the Chang’s kindness with small acts of god will that eventually become much grander. This story is about generosity and giving even if it means giving the last of what you have. The story of the Chang family teaches that small acts of kindness can have a big effect.
• 
  Olga Gula

  Published: 2001
  Genre: Fantasy (personified item)
  Theme: Chinese New Year, Family, Be Humble, sharing with others
  This was a sweet story that taught the lesson that if you are kind to others, kindness will return to you. The family knew they didn't have enough rice to make a grand meal but regardless they shared their one and only rice cake with a grandmother in need and were rewarded by the Emperor of Heaven with their meal multiplying to feed the family and more. I loved the traditional art style that is shown in the illustrations and the plot gave me gingerbread man vibes. I would use this book to teach about selfishness and to be kind to others, especially our elders.
• 
  Donna Mork

  Very sweet book about generosity. They make a rice cake with the last of their rice but it runs away. They chase it and catch it by an old woman. She is hungry. They offer some to her, but she eats the whole thing. Then she apologizes for it and leaves. The whole town brings them food since they have none. Then the kids start to eat, the food multiplies and the whole town is able to eat until they can eat no more. It was a wonderful Chinese New Year Celebration. Recipes and information on New Years in the back.
• 
  Rachael Rutherford

  The runaway rice cake is about a family who is poor and trying to eat make dinner for the celebration going on but they don't have much food. They make their last rice cake and it come alive and runs away they chase after it only to find it has run into an old women hands who then proceeds to eat it all. The family then returns home and is met by their neighbors who have a friendly surprise for them. The family is made up of the mom, dad, and three sons. The story takes place in the town the family lives in and their house. We follow the story through the eyes of the three children. The storyline is a learning experience and happy story.