Book Review for THE MAGIC PAINTBRUSH by Laurence Yep

Book Review by Allie Davis
MLIS 5653 Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Yep, Laurence. 2003. The Magic Paintbrush. Illustrated by Wang Suling. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0064408523

Connect with the Author 
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/authors/laurence-yep/

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
     The Magic Paintbrush is an endearing little novel by Laurence Yep that takes a sad situation and turns it into a joyous journey of discovering family heritage and love.  Steve, the main character, has been orphaned when his parents die in a house fire.  He must live with his grandfather and uncle, even though he is very afraid of the stern men.  Steve loves to paint, and when his parents were alive, they were able to provide art supplies to help with his school work and hobby.  However, his grandfather is very poor, and it isn't until he fails an assignment because he needs a new paint brush that Steve finally asks for one.  The illustrations provided are black and white pictures presented at the beginning or end of each chapter.  All of these illustrations are culturally sensitive, with accurate facial details describing the Chinese characters.  They visually help describe what happens when Steve's grandfather gives him a family heirloom paint brush supposedly made from a unicorn horn.  Things and places magically come to life as Steve paints them.  
     The novel's setting changes places several times throughout the short novel.  We are taken to places such as Grandfather's birthplace and the peach orchard; we meet people like the Lady on the Moon, and Mighty Mister Pang who has to eat 1000 fancy courses at a hotel he paints.  But most importantly, readers are acquainted with the plight of many immigrants in large cities.  They are tenants of run-down buildings that are not up to code, crowded apartments, and low-paying jobs because of men like Mister Pang who are selfishly doing whatever benefits themselves without regard to the people inside.  Yep uses this opportunity to show these injustices in a kid-friendly but very visual way.  In the end, Mr. Pang is punished, and Steve and his family realize they truly love each other and agree to talk about their problems rather than hold them inside like they had before.  Although Steve's family helps to better the life of the people in their apartment through the punishment of Mr. Pang, they also learn another important lesson.  People must be very careful what they wish for; we must think about possible consequences for our dreams and desires.  
       Cultural aspects are minimal in the story.  We are aware of elements China is well-known for such as the wonderful peaches and the beautifully scented flowers.  We have descriptions of buildings and pictures of Chinese clothing and food, but for the most part, the setting is in modern-day America. Nearly all of the book is surrounded by this element.  The characters look Chinese, and they talk about China and their past lives, but the story is consistent with modern times and experiences.  Other than the pictures that Steve paints coming to life, the characters are believable and authentic.  
       This book is a super-easy read that children of all ages will enjoy.  Who doesn't love magic and realistic fantasy?  Steve takes us on a journey to China using elements of Chinese folklore and history.  There is an emotional aspect that most people will be able to relate to-the loss of someone close and the grieving process, but Yep manages to add enough comic-relief into the mix that it works well and is not so heavy that the youngest readers will be bored.  In my opinion, this is a must-read for any teacher trying to incorporate Asian culture into classroom or educational settings.  

AWARDS  

• Georgia Children's Book Award (Nominated in 2002)

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• Booklist, "...Yep combines realistic fiction and fantasy in a story involving a young Chinese American boy growing up in San Francisco. Orphaned third-grader Steve lives with his grandfather in a one-room Chinatown tenement. There's little money for food or extras, and the boy is convinced that his grandfather resents his very presence. When Steve's school paintbrush wears out, Grandfather offers him an old one of his, and, suddenly, everything Steve paints becomes real. Quickly, life becomes easier, and with the necessities under control, Steve and his grandfather find time to gain a better understanding of their complex relationship. e..." (C) February 1, 2000
• Publishers Weekly, "... After his parents are killed in a fire, eight-year-old Steve experiences cultural and generational shock when he goes to live with his immigrant grandfather and Uncle Fong in a Chinatown tenement. Convinced that the stern, disapproving old men don't want him, his grief and misery are compounded by shame when he's penalized at school for not buying a new paintbrush--which his penurious grandfather can ill afford. The rapprochement begins when Steve's grandfather gives him a family heirloom, a paintbrush said to be made with the hairs from a unicorn's tale. Suddenly, whatever the boy paints springs to life, from a steak to the Chinatown moon of legends, transforming their dreary life. ..." (C) March 13, 2000
• School Library Journal, "...Steve learns about his grandfather's past, about Chinese legends, and about life as a "Chinatowner." He discovers that his relative does indeed care about him, and that even though magic is enticing and exciting, its power should be used judiciously because, like nature, it cannot be controlled. Humor is evident when a greedy slumlord abuses the magic and is sufficiently humbled. Through simple yet sensitive dialogue, the author weaves a tale of alienation turning into affection, and of good prevailing over meanness..."(C) March. 1, 2000

CONNECTIONS

Use as an introduction to Asian-American folktales, Chinese places, orphans/foster homes, death/lose,  and fantasy/magic.

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/the-magic-paintbrush-by-laurence-yep/


Other Laurence Yep titles to read:

• Dragonwings  ISBN 006440859
• The Rainbow People  ISBN 0064404412
• Hiroshima  ISBN 0590208330

Gather other art books to read such as:

·       Conolly, Sean.  The Life and Work of Leonardo da Vinci. ISBN 1403484929
·       Venecia, Mike.  Diego Valazquez. ISBN 0516269801
·       Bassil, Andrea.  Vincent Van Gogh. ISBN 0836856023