THE FIVE CHINESE BROTHERS

The Five Chinese Brothers, written by Claire Huchet Bishop, is a clever Folklore genre children's book. This book is actually a modern retelling of an old Chinese folktale called Ten Brothers. In this rendition there are five brother who look and talk exactly alike, however, each has an extraordinary ability or superpower if you will. As the story goes the first brother, while using his power to swallow the ocean, accidentally causes a boy to be lost in the sea and is sentenced to die. One by one his brothers step up and take his place, overcoming each death sentence with their unique ability or power. This book has actually endured quite a bit of controversy for emphasizing racial stereotypes and was taken off many teacher's bookshelves over the years.  However, with its cheery cartoon like illustrations if give a simplified version, of the original folklore, that is accessible and engaging to young children. Running through it is the theme of family, overcoming great odds, and embracing our own unique talents or abilities that we may possess. It is one of the oldest folklores in China and is perfect for grades Preschool-3 with it's fun drawings and simple dialogue.

Discussion Questions:

- What do you think this story is going to be about?  

- What is the special ability, or power, of each brother?

- Do you think the first brother meant to drown the little boy? How do you know?

- Why do you think each brother keeps being sent home before his execution?

- How do you think the brothers feel about each other?

- What do you think is the main idea or theme of this book?

Motivational Activity:

Students will get to create and put on a puppet show to retell the story of The Five Chinese Brothers. Students will work in small groups to color and glue the cutouts of the characters, of the story, to popsicle sticks. Then the students will work together, with teacher guidance, to retell the story with the puppet show pieces. If this during this activity teacher sees a need for remediation then students can use story sequencing worksheets to put the pieces of the story before doing the puppet show.

If you like this Folklore book, here are some other titles you might enjoy:

*The Boy Who Made Dragonfly:A Zuni Myth (1994) : Grades Preschool-12

*The Llama's Secret - A Peruvian Legend (1996) : Grades 2-12


Resource:

Bishop, C. H.  (1996).  The five chinese brothers.  New York, NY: Penguin Putnam Books