Zhen Yu and the Snake

by Erica Lyons, Renia Metallinou (Illustrator)

In long ago China, a girl named Zhen Yu wanders away from her father at a busy market. A mysterious fortune teller helps Zhen Yu’s father find her, but also warns him that one day his daughter will be bitten by a snake on her wedding night. Years later, as Zhen Yu is dressing for her wedding, a knock comes on the door. Although it is her wedding day, she is not too busy to show kindness to a stranger. She opens the door, sticking her hairpin into the silk wall, unknowingly killing the lurking snake that the fortune teller had foretold. “It was the mitzvah of giving to the poor that kept you safe,” says her father. Based on the Talmudic tale of Rabbi Akiva’s daughter and a snake.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens, Jewish, Religion, Asian Literature

24 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2023

Reviews

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Eria Lyons has rewritten the Talmidic tale of Rabbi Akiva's daughter and set it in twelfth century China. Renia Metallinou's beautiful watercolor illustrations help bring that ancient world to life. In both the original and the adapted story a young bride's life is saved by her generosity. But in this retelling, the author has changed the nameless daughter into a carefully crafted charecter whose charitable actions are a direct cause of her change in fate. She has also introduced readers to Chinese Jewish history. In this age of stressing diversity, one often forgets that there is diversity within the Jewish community as well. Lyons lives in Hong Kong and the story is full of authentic details. Although the characters in this tale are Jewish, the story can be enjoyed by anyone. Folklore teaches universal truths, and this book does a beautiful job with the theme that kindness and generosity reaps its own rewards.

[Berrie Torgan-Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful rendering of an ancient tale of Zhen Yu. She is an extraordinary girl from the village of Keifeng. The way that Zhen Yu is extraordinary is how generous she is to others. When she gets separated from her father in the market, a fortune teller gives her father hints of where to find her and lets her father know that Zhen Yu will die on her wedding day after she is bit by a poisonous snake. Her father decides not to tell his daughter of her misfortune. On her wedding day, the fortune teller comes to her door and generously gives him a basket of food. Before this happens, she stuck her fancy wedding hair pin in her silk wall for safe keeping while she greeted her unexpected guest. She inadvertently killed the snake that would have been her doom had she not answered the door and been generous with her gifts to the fortune teller.

[Mariana Ríos · Rating 5 out of 5]

If found this book very interesting, since it as about an ancient tale I've never heard before.

I enjoyed learning about another culture through the text and the details included in the beautiful illustrations. I had no idea there was a Jew community in China. However, what I loved most is that in its essence, this is a tale about kindness. The back matter at the end provided some extra context, which I appreciated.

I think this book would be a great addition to libraries, schools and homes, and would be especially appealing to children wanting to know more about other countries, cultures, and folklore.

[Laura Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Zhen Yu and the Snake. The story had a nostalgic quality for me as it reminded me of the stories that I used to read in the Golden Treasury of Children’s Literature when I was a child. I love that the story is based on a Talmudic tale and that readers will take away powerful messages of kindness and selflessness expressed through Zhen Yu’s actions. The illustrations are beautiful and vibrant and add to the intrigue of the text. A powerful book with a powerful takeaway — kindness is rewarded.

[Shoshanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this tale told in picture book form, in a setting with which most are not familiar. Though they probably ended up assimilating into general Chinese society, there was once a small community of Jews who made it to Kaifeng in China. Some think they may have been Persian Jewish traders! This story about generosity, originally told about Rabbi Akiva and his daughter, has been given a Kaifeng flavor. I appreciate the story discussing similarities and differences between the Jewish and non Jewish communties!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved ZHEN YU AND THE SNAKE! I like that Erica Lyons includes, in her author's note, the original Talmudic tale. She retells the story beautifully, emphasizing the value of kindness. And Renia Metallinou's illustrations are gorgeous. I highly recommend this book, both for the intriguing story of how Zhen Yu escapes her fate of being bitten by a snake, and for the message about the power of goodness.

[Songju Daemicke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a charming retelling of a Talmudic tale. I grew up in China but with little knowledge of Jewish-Chinese culture. The book offers the opportunity to glimpse into it. With beautiful text and colorful illustrations, this story teaches young readers the possible huge impact of a small act of kindness. Highly recommended.

[Katie Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated retelling of the Talmudic tale of Rabbi Akiva’s daughter. The setting in Kaifeng, China was really intriguing and I want to learn more about that Jewish community now. I was a little confused about how Zhen Yu had the hairpin as an adult when her father told her to put it back at the market… Great focus on generosity.

[Natalia Paruzel-Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zhen Yu and the Snake is a beautifully written retelling of a Talmudic tale with such an important virtue at its core, that of kindness. The story along with the author's educational note at the end, renders this book a wonderful addition to every child's library.

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story drawn from a Talmudic tale, I really enjoyed this story of the Kaifeng Jewish community of the Song Dynasty, generosity, and fate!

Themes: Generosity, Mitzvahs
Age range: Kindergarten-Elementary

[Lori Keating · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zhen Yu and the Snake is a delightful tale of the power of kindness. This story reminds me of the fables I loved reading when I was a kid. The illustrations are colorful and beautiful. If you enjoy story telling with a lesson, you will nit want to miss out on this book.

[Cat]

Stunning artwork, and I didn't know a Chinese Jewish population existed in Kaifeng! This was a nice retelling of a Jewish story, similar to The Hedgehog Who Said, Who Cares?

[Liza Wiemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winner of a Sydney Taylor Notable Book Award, this book is set in Kaifeng, China in the twelfth century and tells the story of a young woman whose kindness and generosity has a life-changing impact. Beautiful message on treating people with respect. Also shows the diversity of the Jewish people.

[Jeanine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story based on the story of Rabbi Akiva's daughter in Kaifeng, China in the 12th century and the Kaifeng Jewish Community. Bright illustrations and shares a message of kindness sprinkled with magic.

[Lisa Cloherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story based on a Talmudic tale. With vibrant illustrations and engaging back matter, this story will inspire young children to do mitzvot in the world.

[Heather Stigall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This retelling of a Talmudic tale, accompanied by beautiful, jewel-toned illustrations, encourages kind heartedness and will be loved by readers of all ages.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming story of the huge impact of a small act of kindness with glimpses into the Jewish-Chinese culture. And excellent read aloud and basis for discussion for public and school libraries.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A religious folktale that encourages generosity and compassion.

Brief afterward note about the presence of a small Jewish community in China.

[Cynthia Mackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enchanting tale that reminded me a little of Rapunzel. I love the emphasis on kindness!

[Jenny Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful and captivating story! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never knew that there were Jews in 12th century China. History is crazy, man.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations. A retelling of a story from the Talmud, also features some information on the little known historic Jewish community in Kaifeng, China.