HOW THE OX STAR FELL FROM HEAVEN
adapted by Lily Toy Hong & illustrated by Lily Toy Hong
In this Chinese tale, the oxen live a luxurious life in Heaven until one ox is sent by the Emperor of All the Heavens with a generous decree for the hungry, hard-working people on earth: henceforth, they shall eat ``at least once every three days!'' The ox gets it backwards, and is punished by being sent back to earth—where his labors help make his ``blunder'' become ``a blessing.'' Hong's boldly stylized illustrations nicely suit her text's folkloric tone. (Folklore/Picture book. 4-8)