Life of a Genius: Su Dongpo
As a little seed one day will become a great tree, as a flowing river can carve a mighty rock... One day the work you do will show too Even as a young boy in eleventh-century China, Su Shih was clearly special. After finding a rare inkstone, he began to write stories and verses expressing his love of the natural world. His words flowed effortlessly. His brush danced across the paper. Su Shih grew up to become a leading scholar and statesman, eventually taking the name Su Dongpo. Integrating his love of natural order and humanity into his writings and civic works, Su Dongpo promoted justice and condemned corruption -- often at his own peril. His life was rife with reversals of fortune; but through it all he retained his grace, his humility, and his compassion. Award-winning author and artist Demi has created a graceful tribute to one of history's most accomplished yet overlooked figures. Su Dongpo's life truly transcends the ages and is a shining example of dignity, ingenuity, courage and resilience.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:1584302569
ISBN13:9781584302568
Release Date:September 2006
Publisher:Lee & Low Books
Length:56 Pages
Weight:1.25 lbs.
Dimensions:0.5" x 10.2" x 10.3"
Age Range:7 to 13 years
Grade Range:Grades 2 to 8
Customer Reviews
2 ratings
A gorgeous book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
Demi's new picture book, "Su Dongpo," is an entrancing work of art. "Su Dongpo" is a biography of "China's greatest genius." Su Dongpo (1036-1101) was "a statesman, philosopher, poet, painter, engineer, architect, and humanitarian who approached everything with joy and grace." Demi tells the story of Su Dongpo's life, illustrated with poetry about and by Su Dongpo. It's a fascinating tale in and of itself, but the poetry and the pictures are what really make this book. Here, for example, is one of Su Dongpo's poems he wrote as a schoolboy: "To what can human life be likened? Perhaps to a wild goose's footprint on snow; The foot imprint is accidentally left, But carefree, the bird flies east and west." Demi's illustrations are stylized, accented with gold ink, and truly breathtaking in their beauty. I had to stop myself from cutting them out and tacking them up above my desk. "Su Dongpo" is out this month from Lee & Low Books and would be an excellent addition to any school (or homeschool) unit on China and Chinese history.
A strongly recommended addition
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
Written and illustrated by Demi, "Su Dongpu: Chinese Genius" is the picturebook story of a man named Su Shih in ancient China who as a boy began to write stories and versus expressing an admiration of the natural world. When Su Shih grew up to become an important scholar and influential statesman, he changed his name to Su Dongpo and risked his life by promoting justice and condemning corruption. The celebration story of a life of hardship and success lived with grace, ;humility and compassion that is designed to inspire young readers with a real-life example of dignity, ingenuity, courage, and resilience, "Su Dongpu: Chinese Genius" is a strongly recommended addition to both school and library picturebook collections.
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