This lovely book maeasures up to every standard one can reasonably expect. The artwork is skilled and enjoyable. The story has kindness, altruism, moral dilemma and resolution, reward, and a big touch of magic. There's a pleasant realism about story, too. It shows a number of details of Japanese life, in passing, to give a storybook kid views of a life [s]he might never have seen in person. And, although the words "happily ever after" never actually appear, the last page shows the young couple deep in their old age. The book, as a whole, meets every objective standard of what I like to see in a children's book.
For me, though, this book goes way beyond reasonable standards, well into the things I favor in a very personal and subjective way. I take immense pleasure ukiyo-e prints, the classical Japanese woodcut style that these modern artists imitate. I first saw the picture of the sleeping couple as a greeting card, and found it affectionate and romantic, with a tiny chaste hint of very grown-up love - that image led me to hunt this book down. The one-eyed samurai has meaning in my family, too. And the "madarin ducks" of the title, traditional symbols of fidelity, have a strong and affectionate significance for me for utterly personal reasons.
So I recommend this book to anyone with a read-to-me kid. It's very easy for anyone to like. For me, though, a striking set of coincidences make this a truly memorable work.
//wiredweird
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Frequently bought together
$6.99
Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14
In Stock
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Reviews with images
The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks
ISBN 0590449885 - Ironic that this book followed The Value of Honesty (ISBN 0916392368) in the pile - they go well together, both culturally and in the teaching-morals way.A pair of ducks lived near a pond on land in the district of a cruel lord, who liked to surround himself with beautiful things, and disliked all things not beautiful. Among the things he'd come to dislike was Shozo, who had once been the lord's mightiest samurai. Shozo lost an eye in battle and was not handsome, but he was a compassionate man. When the lord saw the drake, the more attractively colored duck, he decided to take him home as a pet. In captivity, the duck withered and became ugly, missing his mate, so a maid set him free. The lord blamed Shozo, and punished him, but Shozo did not mind so much - he had fallen in love with the maid. Eventually ordered put to death, the pair are saved by mysterious Imperial messengers and live in peace, knowing that a burden is lighter when it is shared.A superb book for kids, who will enjoy the story while learning about compassion and caring. The back of the book says ages 5-9; that's fairly accurate, but a lot of 5 year olds will need a bit of help to understand it. By the time the reader is 9, the few big words won't seem so intimidating.- AnnaLovesBooks
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2007
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2010
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2012
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2008
