The Runaway Rice Cake

Written by Ying Chang Compestine · Illustrated by Tungwai Chau

A runaway rice cake leads to unexpected generosity and a magical reward during Chinese New Year.

4.8/7 Bookroo expert·3.9/5 Goodreads · 287 ratings

40 pages· 1,410 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud· AD570L

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Bookroo's summary

During Chinese New Year, the Chang Family's only rice cake comes to life and escapes. As Ming, Cong, and little Da chase it through the village, they encounter a hungry old woman. Despite having nothing else, Da shares the cake with her. Their act of kindness doesn't go unnoticed, as the Kitchen God leaves a surprise for them. Will the family's generosity bring them unexpected fortune? Discover a heartwarming tale of compassion and celebration.

From the publisher

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.

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 40
Words: 1,410
Reading age: 5–8
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD570L

Themes & topics

Books about Chinese New Year Books about generosity and giving Books about values and virtues Books about social themes Books about culture

After the last page

Talk about it together

Why was it especially difficult for the family to share their rice cake?

Was sharing the rice cake a selfless act?

How were they rewarded for their generosity?

Inside the book

A peek between the covers

Ying and the students in her cooking class pull silly faces after learning to make dumplings during a school visit.

Ying and her students make dumplings during a school visit.

What readers & critics say

Reviews

4.8

out of 7

4.8

“This is a bit on the long side, but it's a beautiful story about being generous, even when you have almost nothing left to give. While the rewards of generosity may not always come as swiftly as they did to the Chang family, the conclusion of the story with the young boys being rewarded from learning from their parents' and neighbors' generosity is delightful and moving.”

Marmee

Trusted reviewer

“Compestine’s engaging tale brims with intriguing details of the traditions that surround the holiday…”

Publisher's Weekly

Critic

“…many libraries will want to add this, considering the depth of material about Chinese New Year.”

Booklist

Critic

The author