marpesea's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

This book reads like a fairy tale, but sheds light on a corner of Chinese history that is rather sad.

clivey's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I'd never heard of the Four Pests Campaign in China (1958-1960), but this fictional tale highlights what happens when humans take action without considering the environmental consequences. I love that the hero is a little girl following her heart.

sean67's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Quite an interesting little book, with a fascinating story and nicely illustrated. It doesn't always work, but it does for most of the time, and then it is a great little book.

engpunk77's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Value the interdependent web of life.

emkoshka's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

The sparrow massacre of China's Cultural Revolution basically epitomises the shortsightedness and sheer stupidity and cruelty of Chinese policymakers of the time (remember, these people also gave the world the One Child policy). In picture book form, the story is distressing and not for sensitive young children. And although it ended on a note of hope, it also made me feel very sad.