From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5–This story is set in the early part of the 20th century, when Chinese immigrants to the Pacific coast struggled to keep the ancient art of Chinese opera alive. Motherless Wei lives with his father and grandfather, both of whom are opera singers. Ba always plays the part of a brave, powerful general; Grandfather, following Chinese tradition that kept women off the stage, used to play female roles. Although Wei longs to follow them onto the stage, Ba believes that there is no future for his son in this dying art form and refuses to instruct him. However, Grandfather secretly teaches young, high-voiced Wei the women's songs he sang long ago. After Grandfather returns to China, Ba's troupe hits hard times, and a shortage of performers forces him to play both general and lady. Using the skills Grandfather taught him, Wei coaches his father for the unfamiliar role, and then shares in his success on opening night. The illustrations, done in oils on textured canvas, realistically depict the characters as they look offstage, as well as in their traditional costumes and makeup. Double-page, soft-focused paintings, executed in muted colors, convey the mood of nostalgia and loss inherent in this backstage tale. Pair this story with Aaron Shepard's Lady White Snake (Pan Asian, 2001) and films of Chinese opera to introduce this art form, so central to traditional Chinese culture.–Margaret A. Chang, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


From Booklist
Gr. 2-5. Wei Lim lives in "a large city by the Pacific ocean" with his grandfather and father, Ba, a singer in a Chinese opera troupe. Ba does not want Wei Lim to follow the family tradition, as he sees no future for Chinese opera in their adopted country. However, Grandfather teaches Wei Lim the melodies, movements, and techniques. When his father struggles to learn a new role, Wei Lim coaches him, recalling his grandfather's lessons. The concise, well-paced narrative presents background about Chinese opera without turning the story into a lesson. Instead, the focus is always on Wei Lim and his relationship with his father. The realistic paintings work well with the text, and readers will be fascinated by Ba's metamorphosis as he takes on one of the women's roles in the production. The artwork also provides a vivid contrast between the family's simple home and clothing and the rich pageantry and dazzling costumes of Chinese opera. An excellent choice for music and multicultural studies, this is also a poignant father-and-son story. Linda Perkins
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
In the Chinese opera, men traditionally sing both male and female parts. Wei Lim's father, Ba, however, usually plays masculine characters and sings in a deep bass voice. But Wei's grandfather played female roles, and has secretly taught Wei to sing these difficult parts. When the New World's entertainments begin to cause a shrinking audience for the opera company, and Ba is forced to play female characters, which can help him learn to sing in such high tones? Color illustrations help bring Wei's tale, and this ancient art form, to life.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In the Chinese opera, men traditionally sing both male and female parts. Wei Lim's father, Ba, however, usually plays masculine characters and sings in a deep bass voice. But Wei's grandfather played female roles, and has secretly taught Wei to sing these difficult parts. When the New World's entertainments begin to cause a shrinking audience for the opera company, and Ba is forced to play female characters, which can help him learn to sing in such high tones? Color illustrations help bring Wei's tale, and this ancient art form, to life.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Barbara L. Talcroft

Paul Yee's many award-winning books have contributed greatly to awareness and understanding of the hardships and achievements of Chinese immigrants to North America. The unusual setting for this story is early twentieth-century Canada, where the traditional Chinese opera faces possible extinction before newer entertaiments like the motion picture. Wei Lim lives in an all-male community (female parts are sung by men) with his grandfather and father Ba, who, as a star of the opera, plays traditional warrior roles. Ba discourages Wei from learning to sing in what may be a dying form, but Grandfather secretly coaches the boy in the high vocal range needed for portraying a maiden or princess. When the opera troupe is at its lowest ebb, Ba must assume a female role, which he is unable to sing until Wei teaches him Grandfather's technique. Even after a triumphal performance, the future of the art remains in doubt. Accompanying this affecting story are paintings by Jan Peng Wang, Chinese-Canadian artist making his debut as children's book illustrator. With their subdued colors and pensive faces, the pictures project a nostalgic, even melancholy, sense of a faded era, as well as the transcending magic of theater. The artist has not quite mastered the art of picture book illustration; while many of the double-page spreads sweep the eye along, there are several very awkward transitions from page to page. Subject matter, historical context, and the subtle paintings make this fascinating tale suitable for readers older than the very young. 2004, Groundwood, Ages 8 up.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-This story is set in the early part of the 20th century, when Chinese immigrants to the Pacific coast struggled to keep the ancient art of Chinese opera alive. Motherless Wei lives with his father and grandfather, both of whom are opera singers. Ba always plays the part of a brave, powerful general; Grandfather, following Chinese tradition that kept women off the stage, used to play female roles. Although Wei longs to follow them onto the stage, Ba believes that there is no future for his son in this dying art form and refuses to instruct him. However, Grandfather secretly teaches young, high-voiced Wei the women's songs he sang long ago. After Grandfather returns to China, Ba's troupe hits hard times, and a shortage of performers forces him to play both general and lady. Using the skills Grandfather taught him, Wei coaches his father for the unfamiliar role, and then shares in his success on opening night. The illustrations, done in oils on textured canvas, realistically depict the characters as they look offstage, as well as in their traditional costumes and makeup. Double-page, soft-focused paintings, executed in muted colors, convey the mood of nostalgia and loss inherent in this backstage tale. Pair this story with Aaron Shepard's Lady White Snake (Pan Asian, 2001) and films of Chinese opera to introduce this art form, so central to traditional Chinese culture.-Margaret A. Chang, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews