Chinese Folktale: Three Monks, No Water/The Gigantic Turnip

This book has two Chinese folktales: Three Monks, No Water and The Gigantic Turnip, both are very popular Chinese stories for children, which give a deep and lasting impression when reading it.

Three Monks, No Water is based on the ancient Chinese proverb "One monk will shoulder two buckets of water, two monks will share the load, but add a third and no one will want to fetch water." The proverb is close in meaning to the saying "Let George do it," wryly noting how individuals shirk group responsibilities.

This story teaches a gentle, humorous lesson about responsibility, while the phrase Three Monks, No Water becomes a Chinese expression trotted out when children try to avoid chores.

In The Gigantic Turnip, the cumulative action centers on Grandpa, Grandma, Grandchild, kitten, puppy, and the little mice, who try to uproot a gigantic turnip. In the end, it is a tiny mouse that finishes the tugging, and all enjoy a hearty turnip supper.

The charming illustrations and graphic design help engage young children and compliment these well-known Chinese folktales. The pictures are big enough for a small story time and kids will find plenty to look at in one-to-one sharing.

The book comes with Chinese characters and the Pinyin (phonetic transcriptions), making it an excellent means of learning elementary Chinese. The book ends with a Q & A, which helps parents engage their children in a discussion about the story.