Fa Mulan

This is great story, well written and well illustrated. If you are looking for a story to read TO your youngster, I highly recommend it. If you are looking for a story your yonugster will read to you, keep looking. My son and I both enjoy this story very much. But with 8-9 sentences per page, sentences that average 10+ words, and 12-point type throughout, it takes the fun out of reading for any reader 2nd grade or below. I bought this because I thought my son (2nd grade reading level) could read it to me. He can, but sentences with like "Her mount suddenly lurched sideways, forcing the enemy's horse to buck and rear, unsettling the rider. Taking this advantage, Mulan delivered a fatal thrust, and the man tumbled into the dust." it is work for him. Contrast that with (from an ACTUAL K-2 reading-level book) "Inside the Mecha-Misquito Mr. Misquito was getting very angry. he knocked on the bathroom door." - Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot Adventures And contrast it with (from and actual Gr 2-3 reading-level book) "Although there are thousands of private detectives in the United States, the town of Idaville had but one." -Encyclopedia Brown Brown Solves Them All Don't get me wrong. I LOVE this book, and so does my son. But it is advertised as "Reading level: Ages 4-8" and it is not. Get it to read to your child. Don't get it for your child to read to you.

What many people don't realize is Robert San Souci was one of the writers for Disney's Mulan. It was even his idea to write in the character Mushu. I once met this author and I realized how much work and research went into this wonderful story about a young girl doing something extrodinary. I recommend it for all ages.

Forget Disney's version of Mulan! Robert San Souci's adaptation fleshes the simple storyline, symbolism and imagery of the original Chinese poem, with imaginative use of details such as the use of The Art of War by Mulan as a commander. In addition, Mulan's filial piety is portrayed fittingly as she sought her parent's approval to join the army instead of running away from home. Mulan's feelings of romance for her comrades and fear of punishment by her ruler serve to endear us, just as her courage and wits impress us, making this a tale suitable for the young and old.

The illustrations in San Souci's retelling of the popular traditional Chinese story of Fa Mulan are stunningly beautiful. The artist creates each page to look like an ancient scroll. The story itself is simply and powerfully told. I highly recommend this book especially for young girls and young women.

This book I believe is a more accurate adaptation of the orginal Chineese legend. In this version Mulan is not only smart, but also strong. Also,she joins the army with the permission of her family instead of running away in the night. The illustrations are more realistic watercolors, which are beautiful and give a more Chineese feel than other cartoon type illustrations.