Tuan is an orphan, raised by his kind neighbors. He has grown into a diligent, honest, and respectful young man, struggling to earn enough to marry a young woman deemed perfect for him, according to the characters of their names and the years of their births. One day, he finds his dinner has cooked itself. He eventually discovers it has been prepared by a fairy, sent to reward him and care for him until he can marry.
This is a beautiful book, and not just the illustrations. Even the cover and pages are high quality. They feel lovely in the hands. The illustrations are richly colored. The fairy, for example, sent to bless Tuan with a filling and delicious dinner every night, is wispy and elegant.
Chinese characters appear in the illustrations and are explained on a page at the end of the book.
This is an excellent book to read for China when Reading Around the World in Picture Books.
I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Bookshop are affiliate links. I read a library copy of this book.
