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The Seeing Stick
Although all the doctors and magicians in China fail to cure the emperor's only daughter of her blindness, a poor old wood carver claims that he can teach the beautiful princess to see
32 pages, Library Binding
First published October 1, 1977
5 people are currently reading
433 people want to read
About the author
Jane Yolen
987 books3,243 followersJane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
April 5, 2020
The Seeing Stick, illustrated by Remy Charlip and Demetra Maraslis.
When the emperor offers a fortune in jewels to the man who can cure his daughter Hwei Ming's blindness, countless monks, magician-priests and physicians flock to the royal city of Peking, only to discover that their prayers, incantations and pins are of no use. And then one day, a ragged old man - blind himself - arrives with his unusual stick and his stories, and teaches the princess (and her father) there is more than one way of seeing...
An original fairy-tale from Jane Yolen - who has been described as "the Hans Christian Andersen of America" - The Seeing Stick is a lovely little story that demonstrates the power of perception, and the importance of human connection. This original edition, published in 1977, is illustrated by Remy Charlip and Demetra Maraslis, and it is interesting to note that the art is all in black and white, until Hwei Ming begins to "see." Then, suddenly, colors explode! Although I prefer the artwork of Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini, who illustrated the recent reprinting of Yolen's tale, there is still much to recommend this earlier version. It's interesting to compare the two, side by side!
When the emperor offers a fortune in jewels to the man who can cure his daughter Hwei Ming's blindness, countless monks, magician-priests and physicians flock to the royal city of Peking, only to discover that their prayers, incantations and pins are of no use. And then one day, a ragged old man - blind himself - arrives with his unusual stick and his stories, and teaches the princess (and her father) there is more than one way of seeing...
An original fairy-tale from Jane Yolen - who has been described as "the Hans Christian Andersen of America" - The Seeing Stick is a lovely little story that demonstrates the power of perception, and the importance of human connection. This original edition, published in 1977, is illustrated by Remy Charlip and Demetra Maraslis, and it is interesting to note that the art is all in black and white, until Hwei Ming begins to "see." Then, suddenly, colors explode! Although I prefer the artwork of Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini, who illustrated the recent reprinting of Yolen's tale, there is still much to recommend this earlier version. It's interesting to compare the two, side by side!
April 5, 2020
The Seeing Stick, illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini.
First published in 1977, and illustrated by Remy Charlip and Demetra Maraslis, Jane Yolen's original fairy-tale, The Seeing Stick , has just been reprinted by Running Press, complete with new artwork by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini. This is good news, both because it makes this out-of-print story available to young readers once again, and because it introduces them to a brilliant new picture-book illustrator!
I simply loved Terrazzini's art, which captured all the beauty and mystery of Yolen's narrative. Like Charlip and Maraslis' version, color only enters the picture gradually, but once it does, it will leave the reader breathless. Terrazzini's palate is lush, her drawings delicate and expressive. The storytelling scenes have a distinct fantasy quality to them, enhanced by the use of some kind of shiny, reflective material. All in all, a gorgeous book - I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more of this artist's work!
First published in 1977, and illustrated by Remy Charlip and Demetra Maraslis, Jane Yolen's original fairy-tale, The Seeing Stick , has just been reprinted by Running Press, complete with new artwork by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini. This is good news, both because it makes this out-of-print story available to young readers once again, and because it introduces them to a brilliant new picture-book illustrator!
I simply loved Terrazzini's art, which captured all the beauty and mystery of Yolen's narrative. Like Charlip and Maraslis' version, color only enters the picture gradually, but once it does, it will leave the reader breathless. Terrazzini's palate is lush, her drawings delicate and expressive. The storytelling scenes have a distinct fantasy quality to them, enhanced by the use of some kind of shiny, reflective material. All in all, a gorgeous book - I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more of this artist's work!
December 24, 2016
I read the edition illustrated by Charlip & Maraslis. It was ok. I predicted the outcome from the start, but maybe that's just because my eyesight isn't so good, either, so I felt a connection. Yolen's writing doesn't always please me, but I really liked the graceful, almost poetic, style she used here. The pictures seemed to be pretty, but they're smooth & vague, and therefore a totally inappropriate fit to the message of the fable. I wouldn't be surprised if I would give the edition illustrated by Terrazzini four or even five stars.
June 6, 2011
Gorgeous illustrations and there is a perfect juncture where the pictures in gray tones end and colors blossom.
This is the story about a blind princess in Peking, China, who is taught to see by an old blind man who carves on his walking stick what his fingers have felt. She learns to see with her fingers. It’s a fine original fairy tale that has commonalities with traditional fairy tales, such as a Princess’s father, a king offering riches to those who can help the princess, his daughter, in some way. The love between many of the characters in this story does shine through. Very sweet!
I was emotionally moved and thought the story did a good job of describing how a blind person can see with the sense of touch.
This is the story about a blind princess in Peking, China, who is taught to see by an old blind man who carves on his walking stick what his fingers have felt. She learns to see with her fingers. It’s a fine original fairy tale that has commonalities with traditional fairy tales, such as a Princess’s father, a king offering riches to those who can help the princess, his daughter, in some way. The love between many of the characters in this story does shine through. Very sweet!
I was emotionally moved and thought the story did a good job of describing how a blind person can see with the sense of touch.
October 8, 2018
Stunning illustrations!
November 4, 2014
This is a terrific read aloud. Students love how the color on the illustrations unfolds mirroring the blind girl's attempt to "see" with her fingers. The embossed pages are like Braille and it's so much fun seeing kids gape at the surprise ending. Hwei Min is the emperor's daughter and was born blind. She is shown as being alone and isolated in the beginning of the story as people try to come from all over the country to cure her of her blindness. When an old man travels from a great distance with his Seeing Stick he opens the world up to Hwei Min by teaching her to "see" through touching the people and objects around her.
Before reading I tell the grade 3 or 4 students to notice the color (or lack of color) and then stop to ask them to "turn and talk" about it on the page with the old man carrying The Seeing Stick, which is the first page with color. Why did the illustrator put color on this page? This introduces the themes and forces them to make connections between the art work and text. One might be offended by the portrayal of Hwei Min's blindness arguing it is a stereotype of a character with a disability who does not do "normal" activities such as playing with other children or exploring the palace. But I think her blindness is balanced by the old man who does lead a normal life and shows Hwei Min how to "see" whereon she teaches other blind children the same lesson. The story ends with much hope and joy and the focus is on Hwei Min and how she changes versus how she is blind. It is an opportunity to talk about characters with disabilities and how they are portrayed in literature.
The artwork is stunning. The illustrator uses traditional Chinese painting with patterned textures on the clothing. The long robes suggest the period of time to be from the Qing Dynasty that lasted for over 200 years. The brushwork is reminiscent of the calligraphy or ink paintings with monochromatic pictures and little, if any, color. The first page shows Hwei Min's robe as being almost transparent, a reflection of her isolation or withdrawn nature. She's like a ghost in the palace. The illustrations that pour from the Seeing Stick change and look like folk art. The way they are designed with white outlines made me think of the famous Chinese paper cuts that have around since the 6th century. The women I work with who grew up in Taiwan said the Seeing Stick images reminded them of shadow puppetry.The borders resemble what is seen on walls and temples.
I think the story would have been even more powerful if the illustrator had used symbols from Chinese culture in her textures. For instance, Hwei Min's flowered dress has what looks like a chrysanthemum design, but this is a flower given at funerals. If the magnolia flower had been used it represents sweetness and beauty which would have added a nice layer to an already well-told story and the tactile nature of the embossed paper. There was also strict codes of colors that only royalty could wear during the Qing Dynasty. While Terrazinni does have the emperor in a yellow robe the design is plain circles. It kind of looks like the sun and the emperor was recognized as, the son of heaven.The circle motif in Chinese art has many symbols such as prosperity, riches, the sacred disc and more. Too bad one of them wasn't slipped in the artwork. I thought about the famous emperor and his yellow robe that I have read in children's literature. Historically the dragon motif symbolized the emperor and is reflected in illustrations of court robes. It seems Terrazinni missed an opportunity with the cultural symbols, but it doesn't detract from the story. Not at all. The illustrations are a feast for the eyes. You'll definitely want this one for your library.
Reading Level 4.4
4 out of 5 Smileys
Before reading I tell the grade 3 or 4 students to notice the color (or lack of color) and then stop to ask them to "turn and talk" about it on the page with the old man carrying The Seeing Stick, which is the first page with color. Why did the illustrator put color on this page? This introduces the themes and forces them to make connections between the art work and text. One might be offended by the portrayal of Hwei Min's blindness arguing it is a stereotype of a character with a disability who does not do "normal" activities such as playing with other children or exploring the palace. But I think her blindness is balanced by the old man who does lead a normal life and shows Hwei Min how to "see" whereon she teaches other blind children the same lesson. The story ends with much hope and joy and the focus is on Hwei Min and how she changes versus how she is blind. It is an opportunity to talk about characters with disabilities and how they are portrayed in literature.
The artwork is stunning. The illustrator uses traditional Chinese painting with patterned textures on the clothing. The long robes suggest the period of time to be from the Qing Dynasty that lasted for over 200 years. The brushwork is reminiscent of the calligraphy or ink paintings with monochromatic pictures and little, if any, color. The first page shows Hwei Min's robe as being almost transparent, a reflection of her isolation or withdrawn nature. She's like a ghost in the palace. The illustrations that pour from the Seeing Stick change and look like folk art. The way they are designed with white outlines made me think of the famous Chinese paper cuts that have around since the 6th century. The women I work with who grew up in Taiwan said the Seeing Stick images reminded them of shadow puppetry.The borders resemble what is seen on walls and temples.
I think the story would have been even more powerful if the illustrator had used symbols from Chinese culture in her textures. For instance, Hwei Min's flowered dress has what looks like a chrysanthemum design, but this is a flower given at funerals. If the magnolia flower had been used it represents sweetness and beauty which would have added a nice layer to an already well-told story and the tactile nature of the embossed paper. There was also strict codes of colors that only royalty could wear during the Qing Dynasty. While Terrazinni does have the emperor in a yellow robe the design is plain circles. It kind of looks like the sun and the emperor was recognized as, the son of heaven.The circle motif in Chinese art has many symbols such as prosperity, riches, the sacred disc and more. Too bad one of them wasn't slipped in the artwork. I thought about the famous emperor and his yellow robe that I have read in children's literature. Historically the dragon motif symbolized the emperor and is reflected in illustrations of court robes. It seems Terrazinni missed an opportunity with the cultural symbols, but it doesn't detract from the story. Not at all. The illustrations are a feast for the eyes. You'll definitely want this one for your library.
Reading Level 4.4
4 out of 5 Smileys
October 15, 2014
The Seeing Stick is a story that revolves around the life of a Chinese Princess, Hwei Min and daughter of the Emperor of China. She has been blind since birth, and it none of her father's physicians or magicians can help her to see with her eyes, or physically cure her. She feels alone and isolated from everyone around her. Then one day an old man comes from a far away place to help her. He gives her the "seeing stick", this stick allow does not cure her the way that everyone has tried in the past to. Instead this stick does not cure her from her blindness, but instead it allows her to feel and touch people as well as objects. Her world is opened up to all of the wonderful things around her she was not able to "see" before. The illustrations go from monochromatic black and white, to colorful and beautiful after Hwei Min begins to see.
Blindness is obviously, a physical disability which is why I chose to include the book into my text set. The Seeing Stick is a Chinese folklore which also enticed me into choosing it, because it was the only folklore who's main character has a disability that I could find. I believe this book is developmentally appropriate for elementary school aged children, because the main character is a young girl and they can identify with her on that level. Hwei Min is also a princess which I believe, is captivating to elementary students. Jane Yolen is the author of this book, and she is not from a Chinese origin, but rather a Jewish one. However, she is somewhat of an expert on folklore, and has written many children's books on folklore. In fact she won an award for her book Favorite Folktales From Around the World. I would not consider her an insider, because she does not culturally identify as Chinese, but I would consider her knowledgeable about folklore from many different cultures.
Blindness is obviously, a physical disability which is why I chose to include the book into my text set. The Seeing Stick is a Chinese folklore which also enticed me into choosing it, because it was the only folklore who's main character has a disability that I could find. I believe this book is developmentally appropriate for elementary school aged children, because the main character is a young girl and they can identify with her on that level. Hwei Min is also a princess which I believe, is captivating to elementary students. Jane Yolen is the author of this book, and she is not from a Chinese origin, but rather a Jewish one. However, she is somewhat of an expert on folklore, and has written many children's books on folklore. In fact she won an award for her book Favorite Folktales From Around the World. I would not consider her an insider, because she does not culturally identify as Chinese, but I would consider her knowledgeable about folklore from many different cultures.
March 6, 2011
Our library has a good collection of children's books by Jane Yolen so we raided it and this is the second of the week. Yolen is a wonderful storyteller, able to take old tales that many children might find boring and make the story captivating to young minds. She has a gift for introducing new concepts into a simple story and afterwards, one can think back over what was included and be impressed at the amount of new imagery, concepts, or factual knowledge that hopefully will stick in those little minds. My boys loved this book. We read the older edition, with a different illustrator. The pictures were simple and beautiful but it was the story that held my boys' attentions.
October 25, 2014
My new favorite children's book. Gorgeous!
April 14, 2022
This is a book about a princess, Hwei Min, who is born blind. Her father sets up a reward for anyone who can help her see. No one is able to until an old man comes with his seeing stick. He gives her pictures carved into the stick, and she's able to "see" other people by comparing the way their faces feel to the pictures on the stick.
This is a very sweet story about a blind girl being given accommodations rather than having to navigate a sighted world with no help. It is a cute way to explain how important touch is for blind people, and an age-appropriate explanation for white canes. I would recommend this as a cute book on it's own, but also to teach about blindness.
This is a very sweet story about a blind girl being given accommodations rather than having to navigate a sighted world with no help. It is a cute way to explain how important touch is for blind people, and an age-appropriate explanation for white canes. I would recommend this as a cute book on it's own, but also to teach about blindness.
January 2, 2020
This is an old favourite that I enjoy reading aloud. As with the other children’s books, I’m counting them to remember what she loved best during these ages, and because much of what would have been my reading time is used to read aloud to her. Also, 200 readings of a short book surely ought to add up to something. 😁
February 28, 2022
One of my favorite children's books.
The story is told beautifully both in words and images. The images are particularly powerful because of the way that they are printed on the page - they're layered so that they are raised and have texture. This book is a feast for the aural, visual, and touch senses.
The story is told beautifully both in words and images. The images are particularly powerful because of the way that they are printed on the page - they're layered so that they are raised and have texture. This book is a feast for the aural, visual, and touch senses.
August 15, 2020
A tender story of a little girl who was born blind. She is the daughter of the emperor of China. He loved her very much and desperately tried to find a cure, inviting people from every land to heal her, but to no avail. One day a wise old man arrived bearing a magical seeing stick, wanting to help the little princess. But is there really magic in this stick? This book is very endearing, you will love the wise and magical conclusion.
May 6, 2023
It’s all about the magical illustrations— the concept birthed between two artists who were doing a project in France— neat story, with even neater illustrations.
The tale plods along like any classic tale, with a blind princess and an emperor who is helpless to effect sight for his kid.
Along comes that gonggong with a stick!
Cool I found this story!!
The tale plods along like any classic tale, with a blind princess and an emperor who is helpless to effect sight for his kid.
Along comes that gonggong with a stick!
Cool I found this story!!
October 3, 2017
A beautiful tale of story telling, carving, friendship and transformation with stunning illustrations to complete this extraordinary story.
January 7, 2018
Such a lovely story, quietly told and gorgeously illustrated.
June 10, 2018
An original story, written in the style of a folk tale. The book's illustrations begin in shades of depressing gray, and then slowly, color starts seeping in.
November 26, 2018
love the fluid greyscale nature of this book.
January 28, 2019
Absolutely stunning!
July 7, 2019
A beautiful story about a little princess who is blind from birth and is taught how to see with her fingers through a "seeing stick". Beautiful pictures help captivate the listeners.
August 28, 2019
3.5 stars
December 30, 2019
Such a tiny little book, to be so poignant. I legit ended this tiny little volume choked up.
April 26, 2022
loss and sadness & unexpected solutions
July 29, 2022
Beautiful illustrations and a lovely story. My daughter predicted the ending, but still loved this picture book.
October 12, 2022
Very nice folk tale about a blind girl learning to see in her own way and then showing others how to as well.
May 31, 2025
Gorgeous illustrations and the pairing of the matte/glossy images is a lovely addition. The story was also gentle, uplifting and unique.
March 1, 2017
This is a beautiful story about a blind princess from long ago, learning how to see.
August 24, 2011
The story is a pretty nice little tale unless you want to take a feminist reading to it and complain about yet another helpless female who requires male assistance for happiness. I sort of really like the art itself but have some problems with the design of the book. The copyright page is the left hand page of the spread containing the first page on the right. I don't think I've been bothered by this before, but it's a rather abrupt and ugly start to a book and goes without a half title page as well. It could be that the smokey quality of the drawings with gentle lines and soft areas of smooth and silky pattered shade, especially when they are almost monotone, representing the lack of site before changing to color with the introduction of the seeing stick, contrasts unpleasantly with the blank white page and blandly informational text. The illustrations themselves use the edges of the pages beautifully to create a variety of interesting perspectives. However, some of the pages get an extra glossy sheen where some embossing has been added which is visually distracting from the style of the images. This technique was used in The Black Book of Colors and, to be honest, I didn't like it there either. I don't think that a very thin embossing can feel like a color or a picture to a blind person, although not being blind I would be happy to be proven wrong. It just seems that someone who could not see would inhabit the world in a sculptural way, the way Chris Van Allsburg's illustration s look and the carved stick in the story feels, not a flat coating. I also wonder about the visual symbols that we learn, such as how a house is represented, and if I blind person would be able to make the double translation from image to symbol to faintly textured representation of a symbol to 3D sculptural object. But enough of a rant about embossing- I should probably hang out with more textural interpreters before having such a strong negative reaction.
July 17, 2016
Oh my, but this book took my breath away with the beauty of the story and the incredible, lush, soul-grabbing illustrations.
Working in publications, I'm aware that whenever there is an extra process, while it enhances the illustration, it can cost a great deal more.
I have no doubt that that the publisher, author and illustrator believed the cost was well worth the end product.
Many of the pages have a wonderful uv lamination process that pops the images right off the pages!
This is a story of the emperor of China and his daughter who is blind. Trying to buy sight for her, he offers many jewels to any one who can bring sight to her. Unsuccessful in his attempts, he grieves that his daughter will never see.
One day, a mysterious walking man arrives in Peking with a magical seeing stick cane that transforms stories to images.
Teaching the Emperor's daughter that there are many was of seeing, he opens a whole new world to the child.
Not only do some of the pages contain the special lamination process, but in addition, there are some pages were a single image, such as the cane, has shiny lamination contrasted to the rest of the page.
I like the beauty of this book so much that I plan to buy copies as gifts.
Working in publications, I'm aware that whenever there is an extra process, while it enhances the illustration, it can cost a great deal more.
I have no doubt that that the publisher, author and illustrator believed the cost was well worth the end product.
Many of the pages have a wonderful uv lamination process that pops the images right off the pages!
This is a story of the emperor of China and his daughter who is blind. Trying to buy sight for her, he offers many jewels to any one who can bring sight to her. Unsuccessful in his attempts, he grieves that his daughter will never see.
One day, a mysterious walking man arrives in Peking with a magical seeing stick cane that transforms stories to images.
Teaching the Emperor's daughter that there are many was of seeing, he opens a whole new world to the child.
Not only do some of the pages contain the special lamination process, but in addition, there are some pages were a single image, such as the cane, has shiny lamination contrasted to the rest of the page.
I like the beauty of this book so much that I plan to buy copies as gifts.
July 23, 2012
Princess Hwei Ming, daughter of an emperor of ancient China, has been blind since birth. Monks, magicians, and doctors all try to give her back her sight, but no one is able to help her until an old man comes to the great city with his seeing stick. By carving intricate images on the stick, the old man teaches the princess to see with her hands rather than her eyes. Her father is overjoyed that she's learned a new way to see, and he rewards the old man with a post in the palace. Hwei Ming goes on to teach other blind children how to see in a new way.
The illustrations in this book are especially impressive--as the old man arrives at the palace and opens up Hwei Ming's world with his stories, we see her life go from a dull gray to glossy pages filled with vibrant images suggestive of the stylized carvings on the seeing stick. We see that Hwei Ming's clothes are red, her father's yellow, and the courtiers' blue, yellow, and purple. Though the story is subtle and has no particular message, it deeply reminds us that a disability is only as limiting as we allow it to be, and that all of us must find the courage to "live by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).
The illustrations in this book are especially impressive--as the old man arrives at the palace and opens up Hwei Ming's world with his stories, we see her life go from a dull gray to glossy pages filled with vibrant images suggestive of the stylized carvings on the seeing stick. We see that Hwei Ming's clothes are red, her father's yellow, and the courtiers' blue, yellow, and purple. Though the story is subtle and has no particular message, it deeply reminds us that a disability is only as limiting as we allow it to be, and that all of us must find the courage to "live by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews