The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes by Ying Chang Compestine

The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes Reviews

• 
  La Coccinelle

  This book is a great example of an author blowing it. What could have been a cute retelling of a classic story is marred by blatant cultural appropriation and just plain rudeness. What's frustrating is that, had the first and last paragraphs been cut, this wouldn't even have been an issue.
  
  The story starts out on a bad foot with the assertion that this is the real version of the story:
  
  

  The truth is that the story took place here in China, and without any tricky tailors.
  
  Here is the real story.

  
  
  The author knows as well as anyone that those statements are lies, because in the author's note she talks about reading the Hans Christian Andersen version as a child. (His version was actually based on older versions, some of which date back to the 11th century, variations of which came from Spain, Persia, and India. Not China.) Why anyone would want to start out a children's book with a lie is beyond me... but what really gets my goat is that it's not just a harmless lie. It's cultural appropriation in this case, and it's not even done with respect. Take a look at the last paragraph of the book:
  
  

  Now that's the real story! The emperor marched through the town to save his country. I don't know how people ended up with that old folktale about two sly tailors fooling a vain emperor.

  
  
  Can you imagine the outcry if a Western author took a story like the Ballad of Mulan, set it in England, claimed that was the real version, and took a shot at anyone who believed otherwise? What's sad, though, is that this problematic issue was completely unnecessary. Aside from those paragraphs, the rest of the story is rather cute. So are the illustrations. But I just can't in good conscience give a higher rating to a book that steals from another cultural tradition and then lies about it. To children, no less.
• 
  Margaret

  A nice retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen tale where the moral is to give to those who have less than you. I especially liked the author's brief biography in the back, and I look forward to picking up more of her work. The illustrations are by the same guy who illustrated Rosie Revere, Engineer (I'd link to it but for some reason the GR's insert button isn't working), and it's easy to see the similarities in style, though this is less bright. But it's still colorful and crisp.
• 
  Amanda

  4.5 stars
  
  LOVED this remake. Loved it even more when I read the author's note.
• 
  Barbara

  Ying Chang Compestine's distinctive authorial voice is present in this excellent retelling of the classic fairy tale about deceit. In delightful fashion she weaves a story set in China in which the nine-year-old emperor Ming Da realizes that his ministers are taking advantage of his youth and stealing the kingdom's treasury. Because of this theft, the boy is unable to accomplish the important work that matters to him such as taking care of the poor in the land. He cleverly hatches a lot in which he tricks the ministers to give back the money and jewels they've stolen in order to pay for the most extraordinary regalia for Chinese New Year. Because they are essentially paying for nothing or nothing fancy, they end up looking like fools during the celebration. An Author's Note provides background for the story and describes the reteller's love for books and storytelling and her experiences during the Cultural Revolution in China. There's even a photograph if her during that time, and directions for making a robe for Chinese New Year, which young readers will enjoy. The story is accompanied by softly-colored illustrations, created with watercolor, pen, and ink. Clearly, this is a romanticized view of one ruler, but the story is heartfelt and important even for those reading it today.
• 
  Tasha

  This picture book is a twist on the traditional tale, this time with the emperor being part of the trick rather than solely the tailors. When young emperor Ming Da discovers that his advisors are stealing from him, he comes up with a clever way to expose their misdeeds. Enlisting the help of his tailors, Ming Da dresses in burlap sacks, telling his advisors that they only look like sacks to those who are dishonest, otherwise they look like the finest silks. The three advisors soon have their own sacks to wear in the entourage, since they can’t admit their dishonesty. With a focus on helping the poor and being honest, this picture book is an engaging twist on the original. The illustrations pay homage to the Chinese setting by incorporating more formal framing at times. Look for small creatures watching the action along with the reader and the looks of delight as the tailors trap the advisors in their lies. A great book to share aloud, with a young hero who puts others before himself.
• 
  Samantha

  In this humorous retelling of the classic Chinese folktale, Ming Da becomes emperor at the mere age of nine. When he discovers his advisers have been stealing from him, however, Ming Da comes up with a plan. He asks his tailors to create a wardrobe of magical outfits for him; anyone who has honesty in their heart, says Ming Da, will see the outfits as beautiful, whereas anyone who is dishonest will see them only as burlap sacks. Of course, the advisors see the outfits only as the latter, making them look foolish as they praise the emperor’s new clothes and end up paying him back the jewels they stole so that they too may have clothes as wonderous as the emperor’s. The story is complemented by David Roberts’s watercolor illustrations, an author’s note on the Chinese cultural revolution, and instructions on how to make a traditional Chinese robe. Recommended.
• 
  Dawn

  Since I have many Chinese students in my class, they were really keen to read this book. They all listened attentively. The story moves quickly enough but still is a good story for a substantial read at the carpet. I wondered if it really is a Chinese legend or just the creativity of the author. The author's note at the end was fascinating. The author loved to read forbidden books. It was a way to trick the rulers in China who banned certain books. She said due to the lack of books and other entertainment, she and her friends would pass the time by reciting stories from the illegal books they had read. This story is one she made up, adding her own twist to it, after hearing The Emporer's New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen. The picture of the author at the end, taken during the Cultural Revolution in China, is delightful!
• 
  Becky B

  Do you think you know the story of the Emperor's New Clothes? Well, maybe you were misinformed. What if the Emperor wasn't the one being tricked by some tailors? What if the Emperor and his faithful tailors were trying to get rid of some crooked court ministers who were pocketing funds that would otherwise help the poor? How would they do that?
  
  I really like this twist on the Andersen fairy tale. The Emperor has a kind, humble heart and works to help his people. The ministers get a punishment fitting to their crime. And this version is more about social justice than vanity. Highly recommended to little activists, fractured fairy tale fans, and those looking for multicultural tales.
  
  Notes on content: No issues. There's no nakedness or even flashing underwear in this version.
• 
  Raven Black

  This is the "true story" of the Emperor's new clothes where the tailors are the heroes along with a young Emperor. This retelling is a pleasant change to what we are used to and the illustrations are fabulous. They capture the time and place in such an amazing way. The historical information about the author was a fun bonus. (I have always enjoyed hearing stories about the Cultural Revolution that show the "little things" people did to be like the Emperor of this story).
• 
  Erin Buhr

  What a fun adaptation of The Emperor's New Clothes. This one tells the cheeky story of a young emperor and his dishonest ministers. Kids will love the way the little nine year old emperor outsmarts his elder ministers. Everyone will love the delightful illustrations, humorous retelling, and Chinese twist on the story.
• 
  Sherrie

  A new twist on an old favorite fairy tale of mine. I enjoyed this retelling that included a bit of social conscience in the story. Enjoyable story and beautiful illustrations sure to be a big hit with all ages.
• 
  Kim

  A twist on "The Emperor's New Clothes"; instead of having a vain and naked emperor, we have a young emperor tricking his "advisers" into believe that they are wearing the finest clothes for the New Year Eve's parade. Illustrations by David Roberts (Ava Twist, Scientist).
• 
  Karen

  I've been seeing quite a few references to Andersen's Emperor's New Clothes lately, but this version has a twist. The emperor in this story is exactly nine years old. My son is exactly nine years old. He related well with the emperor and the clever tailors.
• 
  Ann

  This picture book is a retelling of the original Hans Christian Andersen tale, in a Chinese setting. The illustrations are beautiful. The author’s note includes context from the author’s childhood in China and some explanation of the Lunar New Year.
• 
  Munro's Kids

  A charming take (with a clever twist) on the original Emperor's new clothes. - Emilee
• 
  Margaret

  The splendor of storytelling is one story always leads to another story. Some part of a tale may trigger a past experience in the mind of the reader or listener. Another item may light the spark of an entirely new variation on the same narrative. Each of us are filled with stories, a reflection of our daily circumstances and the customs and cultures in which we live.
  
  Elements from and references to fairy tales, a rock solid foundation, are found throughout other forms of literature. The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes (Abrams Books for Young Readers, December 26, 2017) written by Ying Chang Compestine with illustrations by David Roberts offers a captivating new look at Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, The Emperor's New Clothes. Ingenuity can come at any age.
  
  
  My full recommendation:
  http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
• 
  Sandy

  A charming twist on a classic tale. Plus, my first grader was fascinated by the author's note in the back detailing his childhood in communist China.
• 
  Kelly

  Good enough story.
• 
  Juliana Lee

  Nine year old Ming Da comes up with a plan to trick his corrupt ministers who have been stealing from him. New twist on an old folktale... and one you're going to love!
• 
  Lindsey

  I will read anything that David Roberts illustrates.