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The Magic Amber

The Magic Amber 
(A Korean Legend)

Author/Illustrator: Charles Reasoner
Genre: Multicultural book
Grade: 2nd grade and up


Once upon a time, in a small farmhouse in Korea lived an old rice farmer and his wife. When winter came, they do not have much food and are worried they are going to starve, but an old woman appeared in their home. They still shared with the old woman of what little food they have, the woman then thanked them and gave them an amber stone. The wife was shocked and disappointed that she threw the stone into the pot. The next day when they opened the pot it is filled with rice and much more appeared. They are generous; therefore, they provided for those who do not have anything. When the debt collector, Lan Po heard the news, he then went to them and became suspicious. Once he found out about their secret he dressed up as a beggar and stole the stone. He lost the stone while in the river and got very upset and disappointed. The old couple worked again but the people did not forget their generosity; therefore, they still give them food and fish. In the end, they found the amber stone inside a fish and they are wealthy again and blessed.

This story is based on a Korean legend. It is a retold of a story for children to understand. I will read this aloud to my class because the lesson that comes with it is to be generous even if you don’t have that much. Being generous and kind to others pay back and that you earned your dignity and pride. Always be kind to others and support one another. The illustration in this book is alright. It is not that creative but it is just simple. It consists of a lot of geometric shapes and is mostly circles. I recommend it for it is a moral legend and teaches about cultural myths and beliefs.


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