The Runaway Rice Cake
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. ORDER NOW |
Praise for Runaway Rice Cake
“Compestine’s engaging tale brims with intriguing details of the traditions that surround the holiday…”
– Publishers Weekly “…many libraries will want to add this, considering the depth of material about Chinese New Year.” — Booklist |
Making Rice Cake
Learn how to make rice cake by watching Ying on Discovery Channel's Home Matters!
Classroom Activities
Lesson Plan on Giving Generously
Teachers can use this Learning to Share lesson plan for The Runaway Rice Cake to teach students how to share.
Follow Ying on social media!