Chin Yu Min and the Ginger Cat

by Jennifer Armstrong, Mary GrandPré (Illustrator)

In this pungent Chinese folktale . . . Includes two pages of child-friendly activities. An ALA Notable Children's Book.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Family, Folklore

Library Binding

First published February 16, 1993

About the author

Jennifer Armstrong learned to read and write in Switzerland, in a small school for English speaking children on the shores of Lake Zurich. The school library had no librarian and no catalog – just shelves of interesting books. She selected books on her own, read what she could, and made up the rest. It was perfect. As a result, she made her career choice – to become an author – in first grade. When she and her family returned to the U.S. she discovered that not all children wrote stories and read books, and that not all teachers thought reading real books was important. Nevertheless, she was undaunted. Within a year of leaving college she was a free-lance ghost writer for a popular juvenile book series, and before long published her first trade novel, Steal Away, which won her a Golden Kite Honor for fiction.

More than fifty additional novels and picture books followed, and before long she also tried her hand at nonfiction, winning an Orbis Pictus Award and a Horn Book Honor for her first nonfiction book, Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World. In late 2003 she will travel to the South Pole with the National Science Foundation to do research for a book on ice.

Reviews

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Grandpré proves once more that her success as illustrator to the Harry Potter series was no fluke. Her rounded forms, changes of color (warmth when there is wealth, coolness when poverty and loneliness appear) and elongated features are ideally suited to this tale of a stubborn, proud old woman and her amiable, helpful feline companion.

The story is a familiar one—a proud, rich miser is humbled by loss and privation and the realization of how companionship matters far more than wealth. Chin Yu Min is a lucky woman in many ways but it takes her time to appreciate how rich her life is, even when she falls on hard times.

Winningly written and illustrated with depth and charm, Chin Yu Min and the Ginger Cat is a sweet lesson in humility, companionship and true friendship.

[Haaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like books based in china. I find them to be very peaceful and balanced, even if the story is a bit chaotic.

The lessons in them are often about building character and finding yourself without taking advantage of others. This book is similar is that aspect and teaches about changing your ways in order to be humble and kind no matter what you have in life because company is more important than belongings.

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story of compassion and sharing. I read it to my 4-almost-5yo because she is being extremely grabby lately, wanting everything her brother has. Beautiful, highly stylized illustrations by Mary Grandpré.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A magical cat helps a haughty widow learn the meanings of kindness and companionship. The story flows nicely, but the illustrations bring it to life. (Grandpre was also the illustrator for the Harry Potter stories.)

[Mackenzie Stucky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with the importance of kindness and compassion. It shows so much of the Chinese culture in a great way. It has amazing illustrations and is a peaceful book to read yet still be interested in.

[Gina McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great illustration but way over my 1st graders head

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and a very strong story full of heart!

Loved it!

[What April's Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story with beautiful pictures. Lessons are learned when you are desperate for help.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite childhood book. Beautiful illustrations and a meaningful moral.

[Inhabiting Books]

Chin Yu Min is newly widowed, but doesn't appreciate the kindnesses of her neighbours, and alienates herself. When a wise, talking ginger cat comes into her life and saves her from loneliness and starvation, she feels her life is complete and her independence justified. When the cat disappears one day, this haughty, snobby woman has to learn how to unbend and seek help.

The illustrations were a beautiful pairing with this folktale. My girls and I really liked this story of a woman who learns she needs people.

[Pynteya Bate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a Chinese Folktale that teaches about the lessons of being humble and kind. In the story, a woman whom is very rich and well off becomes poor through a series of events. After losing everything she has, she is forced to work for a living. Being as greedy and lazy as she is, she finds a cat who says she will help her by catching fish. One day she loses the cat however, and it is only then that Chin Yu Min finds out to become humble and kind instead of greedy and bitter.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Signed by the illustrator: Mary Grandpre, who also illustrated the Harry Potter books. She came to visit my middle school. Her illustrations are gorgeous! This is a cute story of friendship and life lessons.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Mary Grand Pre's debut book as an illustrator and it is QUITE QUITE QUItE QUITE BRILLIANT. I love it. Every bit of the charm and star dust of her later pastels (she did the Harry Potter covers) is in this book. JMHO.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

David recommends.
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And he's right; it's definitely worth recommending. Not quite worth buying, but I do strongly suggest that if your library has a copy, get it circulated! Note that the illustrator went on to do the first editions of Harry Potter.

[Jazzw Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book on friendship, and appreciating everything.

[Heloyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story and illustrations are well-done. I always like a tale with a goor moral.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is all about the illustrations! They are absolutely gorgeous. I enjoyed the fable as well, though there is way too much text to be considered a picture book.