The Runaway Rice Cake

by Ying Chang Compestine, Tungwai Chau (Illustrator)

It's the Chinese New Year, and the Chang Family has only enough rice flour to make one nián-gão, a special New Year's rice cake, for the entire family to eat. But this delicious little nián-gão has other ideas. "Ai yo! I don't think so!" it cries, coming to life and escaping.

Ming, Cong, little Da and their parents chase the nián-gão all over the village until it runs into a hungry, old woman and sends her tumbling to the ground. Though Da is a small boy, his heart is big enough to share the treat with her, even though that leaves Da's family with nothing to eat for their own celebration. But the Changs' generosity doesn't go unnoticed. When they return home, they find the Kitchen God has left a wonderful surprise for them.

Ying Chang Compestine's heartwarming story conveys an important and poignant message about sharing and compassion. Tungwai Chau's soft and evocative illustrations complete this tender holiday story.

Genres: Picture Books, Asia, Childrens, China, Family, Holiday, Food

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

A leading national authority on culture and cuisine, award-winning author, and former food editor for Martha Stewart's Whole Living magazine, Ying Chang Compestine has written 27 books across multiple genres, including picture books, YA novels, and healthy adult cookbooks. She has hosted cooking shows, worked as a food editor for Martha Stewart’s Body+Soul, and was a spokesperson for Nestle Maggi and Celestial Seasonings.

Her novel "Revolution is Not a Dinner Party" and her memoir "Growing Up Under a Red Flag" recount her childhood during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. These works have received awards globally and high praise from prestigious media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and Publisher's Weekly. Her novel "A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts" is currently being adapted into an animated TV series.

Named one of the "50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading" by The Author's Show, her books have sold worldwide in multiple languages. Endorsed by Dr. Andrew Weil, her cookbook "Cooking with an Asian Accent" has been described as “a contemporary new cuisine.”

Ying believes food can be both healthy and delicious and that healthy eating is the key to a long, happy life. By integrating her background into her recipe creation, she features the three most critical Asian principles of food in her dishes: satisfaction of the senses, yin-yang balance, and medicinal properties.

In addition to writing, Ying has been a sought-after keynote speaker for high-end cruise ships, private jets, and resorts, including The World Residences at Sea, Crystal, Silver Sea, Viking, TCS World Travel, and Canyon Ranch. Ying is also frequently invited to speak at schools and conferences worldwide to share her journey as a writer—how her life in Wuhan, China, inspired her work—and to promote healthy eating and living. Her website is www.yingc.com

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although suffering from the effects of a year of drought, and the food shortages that followed it, the Chang family prepares for the New Year's celebration as best they can in this heartwarming holiday picture-book, tending to their Kitchen God's altar, and using the last of their rice flour to cook one single nián-gão, or New Year's cake. When the nián-gão jumps out of the pan, however, and takes off with a shout of "Ai yo! I don't think so!," the Changs immediately give chase, pursuing the fleeing pastry through the village, until they all, pursued and pursuers, collide with an elderly woman, unsteady on her feet because of hunger. Will the rebellious cake relent, in the face of true need? Will the Changs, with their three hungry boys, share what they have?

The answer to both of these questions is yes, making this Chinese New year's tale, and its conclusion, in which generosity and virtue are amply rewarded, both an engaging story, and a gentle reminder of what is truly important, at this pivotal moment in the year. I appreciated the similarities here, both to the runaway Gingerbread Man tale-type (it's a pancake, in many cultures), and to the Stone Soup story, with its group of villagers that pool what they have, and end up with more than they expected. The artwork, done in acrylic by Tungwai Chau, is colorful and appealing. All in all, a solidly engaging story, one I recommend to anyone looking for children's books with a Chinese New Year's theme.

[Mbgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations were key to this children’s book.
Lots to observe and learn about village life. And the recipe for both steamed and baked rice “cake” was a bonus.

Runaway Wok— next title

[Celia Buell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of the Chinese New Year books we see depict celebrations held by those who have plenty. But what happens when families don't have much to eat around special holidays? The Runaway Rice Cake presents a humorous yet thought-provoking answer to this question.

The Chang family only has enough flour for one Nián gāo, or rice cake, for their Lunar New Year celebration. But once it's out of the steamer, it comes alive, and with an "Ai yo, I don't think so!" it runs away. It runs past pigs and chickens and all through town, and the Changs run past it, but no one can catch it. Finally, it runs into an old woman, and the Changs catch up to it there. The youngest child suggests sharing the rice cake with the old woman, who hasn't eaten in days, and the two older sons grumble, but eventually the family agrees. But the woman accidentally eats all of it, and the Changs are left with nothing. When they return home, neighbors who saw what happened (the people from the earlier scenes throughout the city) offer food, and the Changs gratefully accept. But when they get it home, they find their kitchen god has rewarded them with a big feast.

I really enjoyed this one. It's a good example of showing how holidays can affect families in different ways, even if they cannot practice their celebrations the way we've been taught that "all" people of a certain background practice. I think a lot of kids from all cultural backgrounds could relate to the idea of not having what you want for a special day, even down to far more trivial things like not receiving a coveted gift, or still having to go to school on their birthday. Even though the Changs' situation is much more serious, this brings up a good way for kids to make connections across cultures and to think about perspectives.

I really appreciated the characters in this one. While the main conflict is the titular runaway rice cake, there is also a conflict of interest within the family. The two older sons, Cong and Ming, are most concerned with filling their bellies, and what will benefit the family in the short term. In contrast, Da, the youngest, is almost a Tiny Tim figure in the way he wants everyone to be happy, far beyond the family. He is the ideal child, a figurehead for the rest of the family.

I also appreciated how much emphasis this put on domestic Chinese New Year traditions. The beginning scenes depict the family's send-off to their kitchen god and the reasons behind the traditions. The kitchen gods play a central role as the family returns as well. I also like that the reasons for all the different foods are included. As someone who has foods we like to make for holidays, but no particular reasoning behind them, I liked learning about all the reasons behind the foods in this one.

I loved Tungwai Chau's illustrations as well. They're influenced by traditional Chinese painting techniques and brushstrokes, and they're adorable. The facial expressions on each page are spot on.

Both author Ying Chang Compestine and illustrator Tungwai Chau are own voices creators, from China and Hong Kong respectively. I love to see this, especially because it seems so many books set in Asia are still often written by non-Asians. Compestine and Chau make the story come alive with their experiences.

Back matter contains a note about some traditions concerning kitchen gods and foods, as well as two recipes for Nián gāo. I also appreciate that there's a glossary / pronunciation guide for the Chinese terms from the book in the front instead of in the back, because this can be helpful for previewing these unfamiliar terms.

I think The Runaway Rice Cake would work best as a read-aloud for kids 6-9, or for kind that age to read on their own.

*Read for: Children's Book group (Picture Book Club) - January 2023 New Year's Celebrations

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Chinese New Year story written similarly to The Gingerbread Man. A family with limited food sources bake a rice cake and offer it to the kitchen god. The two oldest boys pray to the Kitchen God to eat it, the youngest prays that the cake be used the way the kit hen god prefers. After baking, the rice cake runs away and leads the family in a merry chase. But what does the kitchen god want with it?

[Karlie Jamieson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Runaway Rice Cake is a lighthearted story with some very deep meaning behind it. The main characters are the Chang family who do not have very much money and struggle for food. During Chinese New Year they find that they have enough ingredients to make a rice cake that the children are extremely excited for. When the rice cake is done baking and the children are ready to enjoy it, the rice cake comes to life and sprints away from them leading the family into a chase all over the village. The runaway rice cake leads the family in a frenzy until they run into an important character that teaches them about sharing. Eventually the family will find themselves having learned many things about sharing, good karma, and giving. The mother and father showed strength and positivity even though they were struggling with poverty, and the children demonstrated the yearning that a child really would feel when they are that close to getting the treat they have been imagining.

The plot of this books was intriguing even as a young adult. The story was very original and captivating in the sense that I was not expecting the rice cake that this family so desperately wanted to run away and make them really work hard and show good character to get what they wanted. The characters were somewhat interesting, but there was not one that stood out in particular, except for the rice cake who had a very sassy personality. I think that what was most vital to this story was the theme which was that we must do nice things for others in order to get what we deserve at times. We must put others first and be good people. The visuals of this story were great and really helped me feel present by seeing the pictures of the rice cake actually running away.

[Melissa Overland-mckay · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s Chinese New Year and the Chang family has only enough rice to make one rice cake (Gao). But when it is all ready something, terrible happens and the rice cake comes alive and tries to run away. Running all over the city, the rice cake disrupts the town, the whole time getting away with a sly goodbye until it collides with an old women who expresses her weakness and the rice cake forfeits and is shared by the Chang family. But soon the old lady devours the rice cake, and she disappears from embarrassment. That is when the sad, hungry Chang family heads home and is greeted by their fellow towns people offering them food and in the spirit the Chang family they offer to share their meal. Than something magical happens and the food brought to the table grows at leaps and the family and friends share a wonderful meal together and celebrate the most magical Chinese New year yet.

Ying Chang Compestine the author of the book is able to take a well-known cultural holiday and turn it into a fun, new exciting story. Ying’s use of relatable characters and setting makes the story that much more real for the reader, and although many readers may not celebrate the holiday and or know some of the Chinese terms with the easy follow along storyline the readers are able to learn about the Chinese culture and appreciate the message. Ying’s use of culture awareness and clear descriptions of how the characters are feeling really shows her illustrative qualities. Each page of the book is filled with terrific imagery and fun memorable words. This book is a cultural folktale and shares a message everyone can learn from.

[Jessica Orrett]

"The Runaway Rice Cake" is a delightful book for children that teaches the importance of sharing, selflessness, and community. The Chang family is celebrating the Chinese New Year, but due to the drought, they only have enough rice flour to make one special Nian Gao, or rice cake. But just as they're about to dig in, the rice cake springs to life, and runs away. The hungry family chases the cake throughout the village, until it finally bumps into an old woman. The family catches the cake, but the youngest, Da, decides that he wants to share the treat with her. The old woman gobbles it all up, and it looks like the family will have nothing to eat for their celebration. However, their neighbors and the Kitchen God have different plans in store for them...
In the story, the author gets into the plot's "conflict" almost immediately. The family is faced with conflict when their New Year's treat comes to life and runs away. There is plenty of suspense in the events leading up to the capture of the rice cake, as readers are unsure if the family will ever catch it, and the crisis occurs when the old lady eats up the entire rice cake. However, though it seems like the family will not have anything to eat for the holiday, that is not the case, as revealed in the ending (denouement). The point of view is a third-person narrator, who is not a character in the story. The setting of the story is in a village in China, during the Chinese New Year. The protagonists are the Chang family, as the story revolves around them, and the antagonist would be the rice cake, as it opposes the family's need to eat it.

[Jessica Aguilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Runaway Rice Cake is a story that takes place during Chinese New Year and concentrates on a Chinese family, the Chang family. The Chang family find themselves in a rather tight spot when it comes to money and must share only one rice cake because that is all they have enough for. As the mother, father, and three children sit down to eat the rice cake; the rice cake makes an unexpecting escape. The rice cake comes to life and runs away, taunting everyone as it runs along people's ways.

The story itself has all the traditional elements of literature. The Plot having all the different part from an exposition to a resolution and the reoccurring plot being more geared towards an initiation story. The conflict of the story was a simple conflict between a character. The characters of the story were all round characters ,for the most part, the author having described the characters very well. The theme of the story was conveyed as an explicit theme, the theme not being revealed until the ending when you read the entire story. The setting of the story was more portrayed through the pictures rather than in the words of the story and gives the obvious of being centered in China on Chinese New Year far from modern times. The point of view of the story was in third person and the mood being fun and playful. Each of these pointing towards Asian Traditional Literature or a Folk Tale with its theme being geared towards moral.

[SJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: This humorous yet insightful story tells the tale of the Chang family’s magical New Years Eve celebration. While preparing what little food they have left for the celebration, the Chang family’s rice cake magically comes to life and runs away. As the family chases after the rice cake they come across an elderly woman who is frail and hungry. This meeting and what follows teaches the Chang family an important lesson about generosity and sharing with those in need.

“It all happened one Chinese New Year’s Eve”. The opening of this story introduces the Chang family along with giving the reader some insight about Chinese traditions. The illustrations show the unique dress, décor, and backdrop of a small Chinese village. The jovial sons help create a positive tone while the cartoonish style and actions of the rice cake man add humor to the story. While the plot consists of a runaway cake man, there is a deeper theme behind the story which reveals itself when the cake man runs into a fragile old lady. The Chang boys learn a valuable lesson about sharing with those in need. Their generosity is then reciprocated by the villagers in town, along with a little magic! You can see the excitement of the children, movement of the dragon, and the pop of firecrackers in the closing of the story, “the happiest New Year’s Eve the Chang’s had ever celebrated.”

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is Chinese New Year, and the Chang Family has a family tradition to make nián-gão, a special New Year's rice cake. However, they only enough rice flour to make one for the entire family to eat. However, as this delicious treat is baking, something special happens and it comes to life and escapes the family. The family chases the runaway rice cake all over the village until it runs into a hungry, old woman. The Woman is very hungry and has nothing to offer, the youngest member of the family makes the executive decision to share the treat with her, even if meant leaving his family with nothing for the New Year. The family’s compassion and generosity did not go unnoticed, their neighbors in the village were bringing food for them. Before long, the entire village had brought something and the bowls magically started to become larger and bowl ands baskets filled the table with delicious food. The Chang family invited everyone to feast. A very important message that stood out to me was their kind act of generosity and how they didn’t except anything in return, though they received it, they were very thankful and kind. I enjoyed this book very much, especially with the culture imbedded though out the book.

[Ciara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by Ying Compestine and illustrated by Tungwai Chau, The Runaway Rice Cake was a story about a giving family and their faith. The family in the story did not have a lot of food as they didn’t have the rations. The children relied on their faith for a big feast to come their way. This story represents the unity of community and family.

The story took place in the small town and the family’s kitchen on the Chinese New Year. When the story started off, the family was inside the kitchen and praying to the emperor of Heaven. This showed that they were a spiritual family. The characters in the story were the three children, the mother and father, the old woman, the rice cake, the vegetable shop owner, and the other members of the community. The plot of the story was for the family to have dinner for the new year. The theme of this book seems to be sharing and giving to those less fortunate than you. The motif was preparation for the feast.

[Matthew Ciccarone]

The Runaway Rice Cake opens on a family, the Cheng’s, giving thanks to the kitchen god. The harvest had not been well, and there was only powder enough for one rice cake to be shared between the hungry family. Once cooked, the rice cake sprung to life and led them on an epic chase, before crashing into an old woman. Despite their hunger, the Cheng’s generosity shines through, and that generosity is rewarded.

The story begins by saying, it all happened, which does not provide us with a sense of the time period it took place. The story takes the family through their village in the chase of a speedy rice cake. The rice cake makes me think of the gingerbread man. The theme is that people are rewarded for the good they do, and the Cheng’s generosity brings them great rewards. The story ended in a somewhat happily ever after sense, but in this case it was the happiest new years ever.

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Runaway Rice Cake kind of reminded me of The Ginger Bread Man at first then as read more into the story. The story didn't sound so much like The Ginger Bread man. I never thought the rice cake would do what he did at the end I though maybe he was destined to run forever. There is a moral to this story and it is a good one. I think that children will love reading this.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Chinese New Year’s eve, the Chang family, consisting of three sons, Ming, Kong, and Dao, were getting ready to celebrate the Chinese New Year’s. Although the family did not have much, they had just enough rice to make a rice cake or nián-gão to feed on for that night. The mother of the Chang family made the nián-gão for their family to share because they were very hungry. However, when she opened the rice cooker, the nián-gão ran away. The rice cake ran all over the city and had the Chang family chasing it all over the place. A rice cake on the loose and a hungry family chasing it, the nián-gão finally gets captured in their rice bowl. In the end, however, generosity and humbleness towards others prevail. The Chang family realizes what true selflessness grants them in the end of their race cake chasing journey. This humbling tale written by Ying Chang Compestine shows the exciting tale of how tradition, family, and friends all come together to celebrate the New Year while showing praise to their higher power.

As for the traditional literary elements within this story, the opening starts out with, and “it all happened one Chinese new year…” which shows that there will be a story to follow along too. The story shows a wonderful plot as it portrays a beginning, middle, and end to their exciting story. The setting is obviously set in an Asian culture, as stated in the book as Chinese New Year which proves their religious traditions throughout their culture. The characters are each of their own as mother and father Chang show honesty and integrity within their selves. Their sons, however, all show different personalities coming into play. The oldest son Ming portrays a boy that is selfish and only wants everything for himself. The middle son Kong goes along with Ming’s attitude but wines more about what he does not have. However, their youngest son, Dao, shows the real meaning of compassion and love towards others as his personality shines out the most for me within this story. The theme, as I briefly mentioned above, seems to be the aspect of generosity and humbleness always prevailing in the end. The story ends with a happy preclude as it states, “The Changs never had such a wonderful new year’s eve”. This story not only shows the traditional elements of a quality children’s book, but it creates an understanding of different cultures through the eyes of the Chang family too.

[Supriya Bansal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book kicks off with the Chang family worshiping the kitchen god to take the message about the family’s good deeds to the emperor in heaven for a reward.

Shades of the gingerbread man creep up as their freshly baked nián-gão, a rice cake, sprints around the village yodeling versions of

“Ai yo! I don’t think so.”

The similarities end soon only to highlight the poor family’s unselfish good deed. Will they get rewarded by the emperor? Will their god deed spill over to the neighbors and villagers, weaving magic for everyone.

The author has captured the emotions of the three boys of the family so well, giving them Chinese names that suit their personalities. A guide to the pronunciation of Chinese words is a lifesaver. The author brings out the unique traits of the boys at different parts of the story, stressing how each and every individual quirk makes a family whole. The eldest is named Ming, meaning bright. The middle child, Cong’s name means clever in Chinese, and Da, the youngest, means understanding in every situation.

A guide detailing the Chinese New Year and the implications of lion dancers, new clothes, different foods- noodles, fish, and whole chicken adds charm to the book.

The lively acrylic illustrations of the Chinese fishing village, lion dancers, and firecrackers set the story’s mood. It ends the narrative on a high note. A recipe for baked and steamed nián-gão was the icing on our rice cake.

Final verdict-

A heartwarming book about how generosity, kindness, and empathy get rewarded. The family has barely enough for themselves, but they give it all, expecting nothing in return. How a sad day spins into a joyful celebration with umpteen rewards makes for a beautiful read as you welcome the new year with your kids.

On a secondary note, the book made me wonder why people who have less give more? Have you noticed it too? What do you think is the reason? Would love to know your thoughts!

[Emmaline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Compestine, Y. C., & Chau, T. (2001). The runaway rice cake. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Pub. Division.

This book is a fun and exciting children's book that takes children on a wild goose chase. The book starts off by introducing the Chang family as the main characters. The family consists of three boys Ming, Cong, and little Da and their mother and father. It is the eve of the Chinese New Year and the Chang family is celebrating by making a traditional Chinese rice cake. However, the Chang family only has enough for one rice cake for the whole family to share. When the rice cake is done cooking, it hops out of the pan and starts running. The family chases it around town until finally their grandmother stumbles over it. The Chang family realizes how hungry the grandmother is and gives it to her to share with the rest of the family. However, the grandmother ends up eating the whole rice cake by accident. The boys are now tired, and hungry and head home in disappointment. When they arrive home, there is a pleasant surprise waiting for them. They realize that their generosity was heard through the village and so therefore, others blessed them.

The story starts off in the Chang's small home and then eventually takes place in different parts of the Chinese village. The story is written in third person, which allows the reader to feel like a story is being told. The story makes the reader feel a series of emotions. The reader first feels a sense of sadness in the beginning because the family has little food. However, the story quickly gets exciting through the chasing scenes and then tapers off leaving the reader feeling happy. The story has an implicit theme of even when one has little to give even a bit of generosity can have a huge impact on others.

[Weston Broome · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holidays are meant to be spent with family. The Chang family finds this when celebrating the Chinese New Year together in the book The Runaway Rice Cake by Ying Chang. After a rough drought the year the rice crops produced very littler for the family and the rest of the villagers. The family is left with only enough rice flour to make one nián-gão, a sweet Chinese dessert cake, to split between the five of them. Grateful for even this small dessert the family prepares to devour the little cake. Suddenly, the rice cakes springs to life and makes a run for it. The family chases the sprightly rice cake all over the village until it hits an old woman in the road. After a very generous offer from the youngest of the three boys, the rice cake concedes to be eaten. What happens next, none of the family members expect.
Ming, Cong, and Da are introduced in the beginning of the story helping their parents make an offering to the Chinese Kitchen God. This God is assumed to be the unseen helper of the family during the runaway rice cake debacle. Da is immediately projected as the purely good character with the most faith and kindness of the three boys. He is the one that helps feed some in need at the cost of his own hunger using the motif object, the rice cake. The young boy is later rewarded for his kind and generous heart. His kindness touches those around him and helps them grow as characters as well. This is the underlying theme of The Runaway Rice Cake. Helping others can be a rewarding experience. This is a powerful message for children, especially those who struggle with the idea of “sharing”.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is the tale of three little children with their parents who lived in China a long time ago and did not have much food due to lack of crops from the past year but were celebrating the New Year. Because of this, they could not make much of a feast to celebrate but their mother is able to make one rice cake for them to share and she puts all her love for her family into this one bun. Once the bun has been steamed, it comes to life magically and runs away from the family causing them to chase it throughout the town till it runs into an elderly woman where it is caught and the family shares their bun with the elderly woman where she accidently eats the entire bun and leaves the family apologizing for her misdeed. Upon hearing this, the town's people gather what little food they each have and bring it to the family for their generosity to the elderly woman where they all receive a special surprise.

This story is a great tale for why it is best to be kind and generous as oppose to being greedy and selfish. The writer, Ying Chang, writes the characters so well. She has the children showing different personalities where the youngest tells the other two not to think of themselves when praying to their ancestors, for it is for the ancestors to decide who gets blessed. This shows that the youngest is like the hero for he is the one that shows the entire family how to be so kind when the others are not as willing to. It also has a sense of magic with the rice cake coming alive and running away from the family, and it's repeated catchphrase that only changes slightly really give children something to laugh at in this story.

[Trevor Harcrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was reminiscent of the Gingerbread man for me. We find ourselves in a Chinese family’s home, where they are getting ready to celebrate the New Year. They are seen paying homage to the emperor, where the children ask him for a huge feast. The parents remind the children that it is not nice to ask things of the emperor, and they go in the kitchen to cook a rice cake. After completion of cooking, they go to cut it up, and the rice cake comes alive! It runs out of the house proclaiming that everyone is too slow to catch him. He runs throughout town making his proclamation to everyone he passes, until he collides with an elderly woman, where the family finally catches him. They share the rice cake with the woman, even though they are hungry too, and through this act of compassion, the events of the rest of the story unfold.

Again, we see an opening that alerts the listener that a story is being told. It is not typical speech used in everyday conversations, and this clues us to be more attentive. The closing also signals us in a non-typical way of speaking that we have reached the end. The characters of this book are overtly good, sharing with the elderly lady their food, even though they do not have much, and are hungry themselves. The message of this is that we need to have compassion for others, and treat them with respect. Sharing with the less fortunate, even if we do not have wild wealth, but just a little more than other. In doing so, we will be rewarded, and everyone will benefit.

[Olivia Dettner · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book the characters are the members of the Chang family including Mama Chang, Papa Chang, and their three children ming, kong, and da. They are making a nin go, a new years rice cake. They are poor and all the children are hungry. When they finish cooking the little rice cake it comes to life and runs out of their home! The grandmother catches him she accidentally eats the entire thing. Kind neighbors bring the family food so they don't starve and all of the food magically multiplied. The opening of this story is started by "It all happened one Chinese New Years Eve..." and it closes with " It was the happiest New Years Eve the Chang's had ever had". I think the theme of this book is compassion and generosity. Even though all of the Chang's are starving they offer the food to one another and the neighbors do the same. The setting takes place in the Chang's village on Chinese New Year.

[Eri Yamamoto]

“The Runaway Rice Cake” is a story about a poor Chinese family on the Chinese new year eve. They are too poor to afford enough food for everyone in the family; they made a very small rice cake to celebrate the new year. However, when the mother opened the lid, the rice cake came alive and ran away. After many people had tried to capture it, they caught. Then, they found an old lady who hadn’t eaten for a while, so they decided to give their rice cake to her.

This story tells the audience that even if they don’t have many things they still share what they have. This story is a traditional literature regarding universal to any background though it was based on China, they provide enough explanation to let any kind of readers understand and have strong characters. This story is a form of fairy tale since the rice cake came alive and the food the family received from their neighbor appeared more magically which cannot happen in reality.

[Pamela Sager · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story tells the tale of the Chang family and their celebration of Chinese New Year. There are only enough ingredients for them to make one rice cake to share but when the rice cake is done it leaps up and runs away! The Chang’s pursue it through the town along with many of their neighbors until it runs into an old woman, knocking her down. At this moment the Chang’s are given the opportunity to help someone who is even less fortunate than they are.
The opening of this story follows the traditional story by stating “it all happened one Chinese New Year’s Eve…”. This ritual opening is much like “Once upon a time…” in many other stories. The setting starts and ends in a cottage with a simple family that are celebrating an annual holiday together. These characters are central to the story with the actions they partake to move the plot forward and teach the reader the lesson of kindness.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poor Chinese family bakes a lucky rice cake that comes alive - says, "Ai you! I don't think so!" when mom tries to eat it. It rolled out of the kitchen and house. It passes a pig, chickens, a woman, fisherman, and an old woman catches him. It is their grandmother. The rice cake stops and hears she has not eaten for a couple of days so he lets her eat him. A woman was waiting at the family's house with food for them. Others arrive with more food! Everyone came inside and filled their baskets with food. It became a New Year's celebration and the food begins multiplying. A dragon brings them special gifts. Noodles stand for long life. Great illustrations and additional information at the end of the book. There are also recipes available. The concept of showing respect to elders is well-developed in the story. It is a great family story with beautiful illustrations. Highly recommended for Grades K - 5.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Momma pops the lid off the steamer where she has cooked a rice cake for Lunar New Year, the little rice cake comes alive and rolls past the Chang family and out the kitchen door. The little rice cake runs past the pigs and the chickens, but he's too fast to catch, chanting, "Ai yo! Away chicks go...and Pigs too slow". He rolls past the lion dancer and others and it isn't until the it collided with an old woman, who scooped it up, that he was finally captured. And she was SO hungry.

The rest of the story offers a beautiful cultural story in which the respect for elders, appreciation for neighbors and age are honored. The old woman eats the rick cake, even though the 3 Chang children are ever so hungry. When they return home neighbors bring them food to share and the story ends with a touch of magic.

[Aryiel Vopalensky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of the Runaway Rice Cake begins with the Chang family in the middle of celebration. The children are eager to eat up the rice cakes but their mother sadly informs them that they only have enough ingredients for one. When the family finishes making the rice cake it jumps up and scurries off. They all attempt to catch it but they never catch up until it runs into an old woman. As a token of apology the Chang’s offer the rice cake leaving them with nothing. However, the village responds to the Chang’s kindness with small acts of god will that eventually become much grander. This story is about generosity and giving even if it means giving the last of what you have. The story of the Chang family teaches that small acts of kindness can have a big effect.

[Olga Gula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published: 2001
Genre: Fantasy (personified item)
Theme: Chinese New Year, Family, Be Humble, sharing with others
This was a sweet story that taught the lesson that if you are kind to others, kindness will return to you. The family knew they didn't have enough rice to make a grand meal but regardless they shared their one and only rice cake with a grandmother in need and were rewarded by the Emperor of Heaven with their meal multiplying to feed the family and more. I loved the traditional art style that is shown in the illustrations and the plot gave me gingerbread man vibes. I would use this book to teach about selfishness and to be kind to others, especially our elders.

[Bailey Purvis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Runaway Rice Cake is about 3 young boys and their parents, preparing food for a holiday celebration but they have very little to eat. Their mother is making a rice cake and it runs out of the house and the family is forced to chase after the rice cake, not having any other choice due to their lack of food to begin with.
This story has traditional themes and characters in the sense that the story by the end teaches a lesson, this one being about giving to others, even if you yourself are in need, many people would call this good karma. The characters are traditional in that when the old woman comes into the picture, saying she is starving, ends up eating all of the rice cake, this is traditional in that the old woman is assumed to be something from the "higher being" in the story, sent as a test of the main characters' worthiness.

[Robin Abrams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Runaway Rice Cake by Ying Chang Compestine gives children a great insight into the Chinese culture and teaches them about the Chinese New Year. The rice cake coming alive and running away foreshadows a twist that comes at the end of the book. While the rice cake is running away it kind of brings the community together because everyone tries to stop it from creating chaos through the town. This was such a cute family book and great to bring the family together. Of course there is a lesson learned at the end of the book, but I can't reveal that without giving away the ending.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet book about generosity. They make a rice cake with the last of their rice but it runs away. They chase it and catch it by an old woman. She is hungry. They offer some to her, but she eats the whole thing. Then she apologizes for it and leaves. The whole town brings them food since they have none. Then the kids start to eat, the food multiplies and the whole town is able to eat until they can eat no more. It was a wonderful Chinese New Year Celebration. Recipes and information on New Years in the back.

[Rachael Rutherford]

The runaway rice cake is about a family who is poor and trying to eat make dinner for the celebration going on but they don't have much food. They make their last rice cake and it come alive and runs away they chase after it only to find it has run into an old women hands who then proceeds to eat it all. The family then returns home and is met by their neighbors who have a friendly surprise for them. The family is made up of the mom, dad, and three sons. The story takes place in the town the family lives in and their house. We follow the story through the eyes of the three children. The storyline is a learning experience and happy story.