Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About What's happening. (Eugene, OR) 1982-1993 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 10, 1987)
■BOOKS Beautifully illustrated story Review by Deborah S. McGee atrketnurmmnmMr*ANG!GAN**L The Magic Leaf written by Winifred Morris, illus trated by Ju Hong Chen. Aiheneum, MacMillan Publishing. Cozy hours spent reading chil dren’s books snuggled into bed with loved ones, plus a stint driv ing bookmobile in rural Virginia are my experience with children’s literature. So Winifred Morris’s The Magic Leaf was a pleasant excursion into once more familiar territory. Oregon writer Morris has writ ten The Magic Leaf, her first pic ture book, in simple, direct language and with a merry twinkle in her eyes. Shanghai-born Ju Hong Chen, who now lives in Oregon, illustrated it with lovingly rendered watercolors: pastel land scapes and human-figured tableaux of Old World China, complete with airy pagodas, graceful pea cocks, laughing dragons and a kit chen noodle-making scene. In the story Lee Foo, a person of average intelligence, thinks he’s very smart, for, “Did he not read very big books the way smart men are supposed to do?” Through a series of events—the loss of a sword, buying new shoes, and finally discovering what he thinks is a magic leaf—Foo gently learns to accept the truth about himself. It’s a neat twist on the plot of many children’s books, in which the main character has a grand triumph of some sort. The learn ing which Lee Foo does is cumulative and does not involve conquering someone else. With a Chinese illustrator, and a setting in China, The Magic Leaf reflects an underlying philosophy best described by the phrase “No blame,” sprinkled throughout the I Ching, or Book of Changes, which many consider a fount of Eastern wisdom. No one is at fault as Foo grows as a person, especially not his lovable self. Of course, a major criteria for judging children’s literature is, would kids like it? It’s a tricky question and anyone who’s worked with young people knows how finicky they can be in their reading tastes. Although I don’t have a readily MOTHER KALI S BOOKSTORE feminism women's music women of color periodicals Jewish women novels lesbians recovery books Everyone's welcome! Wheelchair accessible 343-4864 Open Sundays 1-6 Nod. 22 thru Dec. 20 10-6 Mon-Thu & Sat 10-8 Fri 1070 Lawrence Eugene, OR 97401 Illustration by Ju-Hong Chen. available test audience, I thought back to days as bookmobile librarian. Is The Magic Leaf one I would have plucked from the library’s shelves, carried to the bookmobile, and done the neces sary paperwork for? Yes, most definitely. Would I have been able to interest readers in it? I’d bet on it. What particular kids would the book appeal to? It’s a good read aloud for ages 7-10, a good read for ages 9-12, and probably more appealing to girls than boys. I would reject it for the pre schoolers at the Head Start where I stopped—only a few of those younger children would have been able to appreciate it before becom ing too squirrely. But I’d definitely have had it in hand when grades 3 and up of the Blue Mountain Wal dorf School came on board the book-lined step van; in fact, I probably would first pass it on to their teacher who was always hungry for such books: artfully illustrated fairy tales with life affirming values. Finally, would The Magic Leaf pass the snuggle book test? Not as well as Winnie the Pooh, Char lotte's Web, Lion and Blue, or The Secret Garden. But those are among the greatest children's classics. The new book, though, would make for a most pleasant 20 minutes at bedtime any cold winter night. The Magic Leaf is especially good for adults and children who enjoy the special bonding that comes from reading a book aloud together. Its story is simple enough to capture the attention of children, while simultaneously charming an adult reader, paired traits found in the most successful children’s books. Vocabulary words in the book to discuss before reading: scholar, mishap, cicada, peonies—maybe praying mantis. The Magic Leaf would make a fine gift for children 7 to 12 years of age. WNAiEyE3 519 E. 13th ULEdEi 20% OFF ! ALL "ANIMAL PRINTS” & ACCESSORIES WITH THIS COUPON Thru Dec. 24,1987 Comfort with 1 food and thought. bock' I&TEA NEW HOURS: lues. thru oat. 9 am to 10 pm dun: 9 am to > pm Closed Monday Start the day bright with a sumptuous breakfast. End the day relaxed with a quiet dinner. 1646 East 19th, Eugene • 344-3422 Marketplace BOOKS Excellent Selection of FICTION Hardcover Quality Paperbacks Penguin Classics 343-5614 Corner of 5th & High 5th St. Public Market Come and see many new necklaces with antique pendants from China and Afganistan. Eugene Hilton Hotel Joplin Room December 10 & 11th 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. December 12th - 10:00 a.m. • 4:30 p.m. Free Parking susanne Schumann fogelson * In conjunction with Murasaki Asian Textilea cotton Clothing Cotton Basics for adults and children in a wide array of styles and colors Sweats • childrens' 2-4 $19 set • childrens 6-12 $21 set • adults S-XL $31 set leggings, socks, tights, "union suits," pants, dresses, skirts, and more Quality Clothing at Affordable Prices —aweth -eMM n’lree 485-0333 For the Young I. Scientist... Bug boxes, chemistry sets, gyroscopes, ant farms, Movit, crystal kits, Battat science sets, butterfly nets, and more! C -"‘mon.,* 2 £ A I 7iy E (BS 873 Willamette Street Eugene • 344-1640 HolidoU 1 ayseacular Atom is offering a wide variety of museum quality crystals, mineral specimens and j decorator pieces, large and small. V December 12th & 13th, from 10:00 AM-9:00 PM, in the Directors Room, Eugene Hilton Hotel This is a ‘ ‘Crystal Show ’ ’ you won’t want to miss. No admission Fee! RTTNeg
