White Wave: A Chinese Tale

by Diane Wolkstein, Ed Young

This Taoist tale, illustrated with three-color drawings throughout, centers around a lonely farmer and an evanescent moon goddess

Genres: Picture Books, China, Childrens, Fairy Tales

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Diane Wolkstein was a folklorist and author of children's books. She also served as New York City's official storyteller from 1968–1971.

As New York's official storyteller, Wolkstein visited two of the city's parks each weekday, staging hundreds of one-woman storytelling events. After successfully talking her way into the position, she realized "there was no margin for error," she said in a 1992 interview. "I mean, it was a park. [The children would] just go somewhere else if they didn't like it."

She also had a radio show on WNYC, Stories From Many Lands, from 1968 until 1980, and she helped create the Storytelling Center of New York City.

Wolkstein authored two dozen books, primarily collections of folk tales and legends she gathered during research trips. She made many visits to China, Haiti and Africa.

Wolkstein was born in Newark, New Jersey and grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey. Her father Henry was an accountant and her mother Ruth was a librarian. She received a bachelor's degree from Smith College and a master's degree in education from Bank Street College of Education. While living in Paris, she studied mime under Étienne Decroux.

Wolkstein was in Taiwan to research a book of Chinese folk stories when she underwent emergency surgery for a heart condition. She died in the city of Kaohsiung at the age of 70.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

This beautifully-presented picture-book, with black & white illustrations by Ed Young, is a retelling of the traditional Chinese folktale in which a poor young farmer finds his fortunes changed for the better when he encounters the moon goddess, White Wave.

Although I know of at least one variant of this tale, Tuan and the Giant Snail, I am not sure of the literary and/or folkloric antecedents of this lovely story. The dust-jacket tells us that it is from the "Taoist tradition," but offers no other information as to source (lack of folktale attribution is one of my pet peeves).

Ed Young's illustrations have a luminous, ethereal quality to them, perfectly suited to the subject matter. I know that this tale was reissued in 1996, with a slightly altered text, but I'm not sure that such a revision was necessary.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeously spare, pencil-drawn illustrations on quality manila artists' drawing paper. Great choice for a classic Chinese folktale about a young man and the moon goddess, White Wave.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a lonely farmer who stumbles upon a glistening shell that radiates in the moonlight. He decides to bring the shell home, and he soon comes to realize that in this shell is a moon goddess named White Wave. White Wave gave the farmer a companionship and fulfillment he had never felt before. The farmer wanted White Wave to stay with him forever, but she only could stay for a period of time before she was gone. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. This story demonstrates the two opposite feelings of loneliness and sadness, but also being joy-filled and satisfied. “As the days went by, his loneliness disappeared. He skipped to the fields in the morning and walked quickly home in the evening. His dinner was always waiting. The house was shining. The air was sweet. And his heart was full” (page 13). This shows how complete the farmer felt once he had an encounter with White Wave. The charcoal-like drawings in the book emphasize the book’s folktale theme. I think children can really appreciate this tale and take lessons from it that can be applicable to their lives.

[Lisa Lecompte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kuo Ming, a lonely, young farmer is walking home when he finds a beautiful white moon snail. He soon discovers that the moon snail is also a beautiful moon goddess, White Wave. Knowing he can never touch her, he watches her from his window each day. His loneliness slowly disappears and his heart is happy. But when Kuo Ming breaks White Wave’s rules, he loses what he loves. Even though White Wave keeps the promise that she will be there if he is ever in need, Kuo Ming never sees her again, but is able to find courage and happiness through his losses and struggles.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Chinese folktale in which a lonely young farmer is blessed with companionship by the moon goddess after his kind deed of caring for the snail shell he is sure is home to a living creature.

This tale is well told and translates well to a picture book while still retaining the language and beauty of the tale told in oral format. Graphite illustrations support text and give the artwork a moon-kissed glow.

[Kathryn]

Thanks for the recommendation, Abigail!

(Note to self, try to get original edition with white cover)

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning illustrations and a beautiful story.