Toad Is the Uncle of Heaven: A Vietnamese Folk Tale

by Jeanne M. Lee

Toad Is the Uncle of Heaven

A Vietnamese Folk Tale

An NCSS-CBC Notable Book in the Field of Social Studies Toad Is the Uncle of Heaven

A Vietnamese Folk Tale

An NCSS-CBC Notable Book in the Field of Social Studies

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Jeanne M. Lee is the author and illustrator of many books, including The Song of Mu Lan and I Once Was a Monkey: Stories Buddha Told.

Reviews

[Monica Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toad may be a lowly creature, but he comes to earn the respect of the King of Heaven who - despite his name - is not an attentive ruler. This pourquoi tale helps us see that wisdom, compassion, courage, and tenacity are worth more than gold and power. Travel to the heavens with toad and his faithful companions to find out why.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars--A cool little "just so" story fairy tale from Vietnam.

[Jill White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting Vietnamese mythology

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toad is the Uncle of Heaven is a Vietnamese folktale. It tells the fictional story of Toad (a frog) who after suffering through a lengthy drought decides to travel to Heaven to ask the King of Heaven for rain. He plans to tell King that if he does not make it rain that he (Toad) and all of the other animals will perish. As he travels to heaven he meets and picks up several animals to travel with him. After arriving in heaven with a tiger, rooster, bees, birds and others he is stopped at the golden gates by King's guards. It appears as if Toad won't be able to get in to have an audience with the King because he doesn't have an appointment. Well, naturally this causes confusion and each of the animals uses their natural animal instinct to defeat anything that comes against Toad and Toad gets in to see the King. He makes his request known but the King laughs at him. The King finds that he is no match for the friends that are travelling with Toad and has to cry out "Uncle" in order to save his life. Thus toad is named "Uncle" Toad and there lies the meaning of the title of the book. In Vietnamese folklore, Uncle is a royal title given to those of royal standing. Toad croaks, rain comes and the animals are saved from perishing.The illustrations are simple and give a good picture of what is happening in the story.

This book is a good display of teamwork, leadership and determination and could be used to start a discussion amongst students on how important this is. For instance: "Could Toad have succeeded in his quest if he had went alone?" The one caution that should be used is the similarities to Christianity beliefs of heaven, the pearly gates, God sitting on the throne. But since this is a folktale, students should be told that this is a make believe story. Appropriate for ages 5-9.

[Monique Clem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Title: Toad is the Uncle of Heaven
Age group: 7-10
Author: Jeanne M. Lee

This is an old Vietnamese folktale. In the Vietnamese culture to be called "Uncle" is a sign of respect. In the story there is a major drought and a frog sets out to seek the King of Heaven so he can make it rain. On the way to the King of Heaven the frog comes across bees, a rooster and a tiger that also need the help of the king or they too will die. When they get to the king the frog is so eager that he scares the king and the king retaliates by sending his people and animals to cease the frog and his friends. At the end the king sees that the frog and his friends are determined to get the rain that they defeat his attacks and the King of Heaven ends up calling the frog "Uncle."

This was an ok read. It was pretty predictable as the story went on. But I guess it goes to show that even a king can respect something as little and as a frog.

[Lisbeth Solberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I know why this one was discarded (from the Largo Library in FLA--I bought it used through Amazon). Toad visits the King of Heaven to ask for rain and there, with the help of some companions, outwits Him. Blasphemy!

The pictures should be much more wonderful. The King of Heaven should be resplendent and all that. Instead he's a small figure on a throne in the background. And when the animals jump from mountain to cloud, the illustration should show the mountain.

My Vietnam students liked it anyway, and it gave us an excuse to make paper toads.

[Thomas Andrikus · Rating 3 out of 5]

The toad is a symbol of rain in Vietnam. When Uncle Toad croaks, rain will soon follow.

Funny, I thought it is supposed to be the other way round?

Anyway, this is a mildly humorous Vietnamese folk tale about how a toad and his friends are able to defeat the guards and assistants of the King of Heaven (aka. God). Sounds kinda impossible, but aren't all folk tales like that anyway?

[Kaileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK. This is going to be a book that I will read to my children. Its so much fun.

[Doria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully simply told folktale, with attractive and colorful illustrations.

[Danielle]

Great tale that I will memorize and share with others, great illustrations as well.