The Empty Pot

Author:

Demi

Illustrator:

N/A

Published by:

Square Fish

First Published:

15 Sept 1996

Ideal for readers aged

3-5y

My Review

This is a beautiful and sparsely illustrated story about a young chinese boy whose honesty and integrity is richly rewarded. The Emperor wnat to find a successor, and so gives seeds to every child in the kingdom and asks each one to bring him the best, most well tended plant they can grow. Unbeknownst to the recipients, every seed the Emperor gifted was dead. While all the other families find ways of ensuring that their children present the Emperor with a plant in their pots, Ping bravely takes his empty pot to the Emperor and is greeted with the incredible news that his integrity has been proven and he will be the Emperor's choice of heir. It's a delight - a lovely story about how it is the state of the heart and not the outward appearance that makes a good leader.

Heads Up!

Demi has written other interesting and eclectic picture books - another favourite of ours is a retelling of an Indian folktale, 'A Grain of Rice'.

Publisher Review

The Empty Pot is Demi's beloved picture book about an honest schoolboy A long time ago in China there was a boy named Ping who loved flowers. Anything he planted burst into bloom. The Emperor loved flowers too. When it was time to choose an heir, he gave a flower seed to each child in the kingdom. "Whoever can show me their best in a year's time," he proclaimed, "shall succeed me to the throne!" Ping plants his seed and tends it every day. But month after month passes, and nothing grows. When spring comes, Ping must go to the Emperor with nothing but an empty pot. Demi's exquisite art and beautifully simple text show how Ping's embarrassing failure is turned triumphant in this satisfying tale of honesty rewarded.