Ming Da is only nine years old when he becomes the emperor of China, and his three advisors take advantage of the young emperor by stealing his rice, gold, and precious stones. But Ming Da has a plan. With the help of his tailors, he comes up with a clever idea to outsmart his devious advisors: He asks his tailors to make magical new clothes for him. Anyone who is honest, the young emperor explains, will see the clothes' true splendor, but anyone who is dishonest will see only burlap sacks. The emperor dons a burlap sack, and the ministers can't help but fall for his cunning trick.
A supremely stylish retelling of The Emperor's New Clothes in which a boy ruler outwits his ministers to save his people. Inspired by the author growing up hungry during the Cultural Revolution. The Sunday Times Culture
In Ying Chang Compestine's The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes, a resourceful boy emperor takes on his swindling advisers, causing them to parade in rice sacks as he wins back his wealth to feed and clothe the poor. This is an appealing twist on a well-loved tale, brought vividly to life by David Roberts's apple-cheeked, expressive illustrations. The Guardian
Beautifully illustrated by David Roberts, this brings fresh light on an old tale. Parents in Touch
The excellence of it's production and the ingenuity of the story's young hero both conspire and to give this picture book considerable child appeal. Carousel
Author
About Ying Compestine
Ying Chang Compestine grew up in Communist China and now lives in Lafayette, California. She is a popular author of children books, cookbooks, and novels. David Roberts has illustrated many children books, including bestsellers Ada Twist, Scientist, Rosie Revere, Engineer, and Iggy Peck, Architect.
