About this item

Outside Beijing, China, in the year 1572, nine-year-old Hu-Wan tends the vegetable garden with his grandfather. Their specialty is growing gourds that are made into ladles and bowls and sold in the marketplace. Each year, one special gourd is made into a cricket cage. This year, it is Hu-Wan's turn to grow and carve the special gourd. He decides it should be carved into the shape of a sleeping dragon. When Hu-Wan learns that the emperor has died and his nine-year-old son is named Emperor of China, he decides to give the dragon cricket cage to the young emperor to offer comfort and cheer.



About the Author

Judy Young

When Judy Young was about ten years old, she showed her grandmother a poem she had written. Her grandmother encouraged her to keep writing and Judy did! Judy is the author of over twenty children's fiction, poetry and nonfiction books. Her books are used extensively in classrooms across the country and have also been honored with numerous awards and recognition. One of Judy's most cherished honor was having "A Pet For Miss Wright" read by LaVar Burton for Reading Rainbow Storytime Video. She also enjoyed watching as "R is for Rhyme, A Poetry Alphabet" was performed by the Tanner Creative Dance Program and Children's Dance Theatre of the University of Utah for their 58th annual performance. A frequent speaker at schools nationwide, Judy's author visits include both educational presentations and poetry writing workshops for elementary and middle school students. Judy also conducts writing workshops for teachers for their professional development in-services and is a frequent speaker for educational organizations and professional conferences. With twenty years previous experience in the public schools, Judy has first hand experience with improving students' writing skills and her presentations and workshops are directly related to school curriculum. Judy resides in the mountains near Mink Creek, ID, with her husband, Ross, a professional artist. While writing, Judy may see a moose walk across her front yard or a weasel chasing a rabblit. When not writing or speaking at schools and conferences, you can find Judy hiking, fishing, or gallivanting around the country in "Arlo," the Young's traveling studio, often going to remote places to get ideas for new books.



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