The cover of The Frog in the Well
The Frog in the Well retells a Chinese idiom. Chinese idioms tend to be four characters long and paint a moral teaching. The frog that lives in a well believes the well encompasses the entire world and that he understands it better than anyone else. One day the frog meets a sea turtle that introduces the wide, deep ocean full of much more life than the well. From this experience, the frog realizes a world exists outside the well.
New author Irene Tsai highlights the moral lesson that one should not be narrow-minded and, instead, be aware of the “ocean of knowledge for him to learn.” She does so in this beautifully and clearly illustrated book—by Pattie Caprio—that includes both traditional and simplified characters along with pinyin and zhuyin. Irene also succeeds in offering imagery for the life the frog is living, something that will certainly capture the attention and imagination of children.
Indeed, The Frog in the Well has won the Reader Views 2009 Reviewers Choice Award and has received rave reviews that are copied below.
“What a delightful book! It has a meaningful message, and the illustrations are charming! My father attempted to teach me Chinese when I was a child. I would have loved this book! I know that The Frog in the Well will be enjoyed by aspiring language students, their parents, and teachers.”
–Dominie Soo Bush, Writer and Educator, FL
“Irene Tsai tells stories that speak to readers of all ages. She has a unique ability to convey classic Chinese stories by using language and tone that children today can appreciate. She expands cultural boundaries and provides an avenue for nurturing your child’s emotional development.”
–Harsh K. Trivedi M.D., Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Brown Medical School, RI
“The Frog in the Well is both beautifully written and illustrated. The story of how the frog views his world will jump off the pages for children while educating them about Chinese culture and language.”
–Tom Watkins, Michigan State Superintendent of Schools (2001-2005)
Honorary Professor, Mianyang University
The Frog in the Well is now available at www.bububooks.com. Check it out today!
