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The Five Chinese Brothers
The Five Chinese Brothers | Claire Huchet Bishop
3 posts | 19 read | 3 to read
Five brothers who look just alike outwit the executioner by using their extraordinary individual qualities.
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LibrarianRyan
The Five Chinese Brothers | Claire Huchet Bishop
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4 ⭐ This story have been around since 1936. It is based on a passed down folk tale. It has been banned for “racist, and stereotypical” depiction of Chinese people through the illustrations. One thing to remember is that this is a product of 1936 where usually no more than 4 colors were used in printing. Even if the illustrations were redone today, I think parents would still want this book banned.

LibrarianRyan The story is of 5 brothers who each go to be executed but survive. Yep. The townspeople try to cut off someone‘s head, tries to burn someone alive, try to drown them, etc. But that is not why this book was banned. I loved everything about this. It is such a classic, and unlike modern fairy tales has not been “cleaned” up for an audience. It has been left in its original form, and I think that makes it that much more special. #bbrc #banned 2y
SleepyDragon I read this one as a kid in the 80s. In retrospect, the stereotyped depictions do distract from the story. I would like to see the story retold without them, perhaps by a Chinese artist. 2y
LibrarianRyan @SleepyDragon I agree. I checked out 6 different copies to see if it had any changes. Nope. 2y
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LisaMart
The Five Chinese Brothers | Claire Huchet Bishop
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This TL, Lewis Carroll Shelf Award winner, by Claire Huchet Bishop and Kurt Weiss is a retelling of an old Chinese tale. In the story 5 brothers with amazing abilities outwit an executioner and escape death for a crime they really didn‘t commit. I remember reading this book when I was a kid and I think students now would still enjoy it. Great for DR, RT, & RA as an intro for teaching about Chinese culture. #UCFLAE3414SP18

LisaMart UDL: 5.1, 8.3, 9.2 EL: 2, 17, 50. Here is a link to a scholastic lesson for this book for K-2: http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/westonwoods/study_guides/the_five_chinese... 6y
Kendallc Sounds like a really interesting book, will definitely have to read! 6y
Cruzdia1 This book sounds like a fun read! 6y
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PomegranateMuse
The Five Chinese Brothers | Claire Huchet Bishop
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Before this children's book arrived in the mail I don't think I had physically seen a copy since I was in primary school. I'm glad I rediscovered this classic!!!

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