The Empty Pot (An Owlet Book)

Rating:
Summary: Honesty is the best policy!
Review: My 4 year old daughter loves this book. She wanted me to read it immediately again after hearing it the first time. It is a great story about honesty and integrity.

Rating:
Summary: A Picture Book for All Ages
Review: The Emperor of China has grown old and must find a successor to his throne. Having no legal heirs, the Empereor must choose his successor from among his loyal subjects. This is a very important decision. Being very wise, the Emperor finds a unique way to pick just the right person. This is an excellent picture book with a wonderful, much needed moral for today's world. The intricate details in the illustrations add to the cultural interest of the book. While the conflict in this book is Man verses Nature, truth decides the ultimate victor. Ping's father's words, "Your best is good enough...," are words that many young people long to and need to hear. While it is a story designed for the young child, it is also an important message for young adults who need a refresher on the importance of truth.

Rating:
Summary: A exemplary book that teaches some important lessons.
Review: The Empty Pot is set in China, with an aging Emperor who is faced with the problem of wisely selecting an appropriate successor. At first blush, what seems to be an absurdly foolish test to the reader, (whoever grows the best flower in a years time from one seed that the Emperor hands out, will succeed as heir) results in a test that was clearly judicious and enlightening. As the reader follows the hardship of one little boy named Ping, who persists in trying to make his seed sprout; the reader can't help but empathize with his struggle, embarrasment and ridicule. Ping possesses qualities that many of us need to refine, develop or even attain: perseverance, humility, courage and honesty. I like this book because reading it helps to teach these qualities and clearly illustrates the adage "Honesty is the best policy." A truism that has been ignored in these times. The reader discovers that Ping's weakness is really his strength, his failure is really his success and his problem is really the Emperor's solution.

Rating:
Summary: A beautiful book with a wonderful lesson!!
Review: This is one of my favorite books to read with my two and three year olds. It is beautifully done, with a wonderful lesson/moral to the story. It is true to the Chinese tradition of story telling to help educate. In a warm embrassing tone, the book moves the reader to understand the importance of truth and honesty in everyday living.