The Runaway Wok

Just in time for Chinese New Year comes this cautionary tale of what happens to greedy people — and those who are generous. For years, the Li family has cheated the town, growing rich while the town’s people have no money to celebrate Chinese New Year. When little Ming Zhang’s mother and father send him to the market to trade the last of their eggs for a bag of rice, he instead returns with a magic wok. At first his parents are angry, but when the wok promises them enough food to feed their neighbors, the Zhangs clean-up the wok and watch as it rolls away singing “Skippity-hoppity-ho! To the rich man’s wife I go!” The wok not only brings back enough food for a feast, but also toys and money to distribute to the town. Then, when everyone is happy and feasting, the wok captures the Li family and takes them far, far away where they can no longer cheat the town. With beautiful illustrations and a theme that will appeal to children’s sense of right and wrong, The Runaway Wok is a good story for kids ages three to seven.