Sivu's Six Wishes
by
Jude Daly
Order:
USA
Can
Eerdmans, 2010 (2010)
Hardcover
Reviewed by J. A. Kaszuba Locke
T
he story of Sivu the stonemason is cleverly based on an ancient Taoist tale -
The Stone Cutter
. With a twist, author and illustrator Jude Daly tells of
Sivu's Six Wishes
, a story with a message for youngsters as well as oldsters.
T
he story opens with clever Sivu carving a large rock into a huge lion. Sivu diligently works with hammer and chisel as people pass by admiring his extraordinary creation. But, alas, Sivu isn't very happy as he does not earn much money. Sivu gows bitter, disappointed, and envious of others.
S
ivu's initial wish for wealth and power plays in his mind. He feels it would bring him happiness.
Mysteriously
Sivu's six wishes begin to be fulfilled. The first is to be a
rich businessman
. With each wish Sivu becomes more entranced with his ability to
snap his fingers
to gain power.
J
ude Daly's two-page illustrations add color and action to her storytelling. The author is known internationally for many
teach-a-lesson
stories, including
To Everything There is a Season
;
The Little Blue Slipper
;
An Irish Cinderella Story
, and
Let There Be Peace: Prayers from Around the World
(with Jeremy Brooks).
T
he last page,
About the Story
, defines the meaning of
Tao
(or
Dao
) as
path
or
way
, as well as a name given to Chinese philosophical and religious traditions. It also gives the meaning of the
Three Jewels of the Tao
- compassion, moderation, and humility.
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