The Caged Birds of Phnom Penh

by Frederick Lipp, Ronald Himler (Illustrator)

Wishing a better life for her family, Ary, a poor Cambodian girl, longs to buy a bird from the bird lady and set it free. According to tradition, the bird will carry her wishes into the wide open sky, where, they will be fulfilled.

Genres: Picture Books, Asian Literature, Childrens, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2001

Reviews

[Carrie Gelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing.

[Ember Moto · Rating 2 out of 5]

The depiction of capturing 100 birds and keeping them in a small cramped cage for the purpose of selling them so people can make wishes on them really put me off this story.

[Liberty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Multicultural. A story of a young girl in Cambodia who buys a bird to make a wish for her family.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eight-year-old Ary has spent all of her life in Phnom Penh, but has heard stories about the green countryside where rice grows and where birds fly free. One morning, she takes the money that she has earned selling flowers and goes to the marketplace, to buy a bird from the bird lady's cage. According to custom, if the bird flies free, her wish will come true. She chooses one, holds it tight while she makes a wish for her family, and then releases it. She disappointed when it circles overhead and then returns to perch on the woman's finger. Feeling as though she has been tricked, Ary consults her grandfather, who tells her that it is important not to pick just any bird when making wishes. She saves more money and watches the bird lady carefully. One day, she sees the woman putting a new bird in the cage. Ary picks this bird and watches it fly out of sight, knowing that some day her dreams will come true. This book provids window into another culture.k-3rd

[Olivia Lagore · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of Ary, a little girl form a poor family living in Cambodia, tells of a traditional way to make wishes - set one of the birds of the bird lady free, and if it flys away to freedom, your wishes will come true. The illustrations and story went well together, presenting a picture of life in Phnom Penh, a city in Cabodia, and showing a portrait of a young girl desperately hoping for a better life for her and her family. I liked the use of symbolism, as the newest bird in the cage, not yet willing to give up its freedom, soars away from the city, the young girl, watches it and believes that one day, she too will be able to fly free.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another book that I read only because Ronald Himler was the illustrator, but I really enjoyed its text as well. The whole concept of self-selected freedom might be a bit too high-minded for some primary readers, but an intermediate grade audience would probably comprehend it and a junior high audience could probably hold some interesting discourse on the subject. I liked the book. It was thought-provoking.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a touching tale about a girl who wants a better life for her family. She goes out to the streets and sells her goods to tourists. With the money she earns, she buys a bird to make a wish on that will hopefully come true. The story was alright and so was the plot; however, I do not know I would use this for higher teaching in my classroom. The only way I would use it would be for individual reading.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be hard for younger children to understand. This is a story of dreams and determination. The Caged Birds of Phnom Penh is also very cultured and shows how different life could be. This book would be an excellent way to show imagination and determination. I would use this book to show example of dreams and setting goals.

[Kayce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, not just from a multi-cultural/diversity awareness standpoint, but because it's a sweet story. A girl wants to wish on a bird and is tricked by the bird lady, she saves her money and learns her lesson. Would make a nice read aloud in an elementary classroom for sure.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has a lot of potential. Told from a young girl's point of view.

[SARAH · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl learns a lesson about the caged birds of Phnom Penh and the bird lady...but with finds a way to rise above them.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very touching story about a girl wanting to help her family have a better life. A great book to use when talking about different cultures and traditions.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theme: hope

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet story but I think the messages would be a bit difficult to grasp for someone very young (elementary-school-aged).

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is more than a little depressing, but it's nice to see a book set in Southeast Asia.