The Wishing Stone
Here are several illustrations from another “leveled reader” that I illustrated some years ago. Titled “The Wishing Stone,” the story hails from Chinese folklore, and was adapted for young readers. This is a way to introduce children to both new vocabulary and a new culture . . . all simplified for elementary school students, and distributed through an educational publisher.
Like many folk tales, this one begins with a rather complacent emperor (above) who angers the unseen powers that are the true rulers of human fortune. His actions end up entangled in the destiny of three brothers, via a humble treasure that is washed up in a river flood near a common cottage – just an ordinary-looking pebble that turns out to have magical powers.
You can easily see which brother is bumbling, which is kind-hearted and brave, and which is selfish and arrogant. Fortunately, the pebble falls into the right hands – or at least, in this simplified version of the story it does.
Chinese folklore abounds with dragons – those strange, mythical creatures that seem like a cross between a lizard and horse. I don’t recall how this well-intended brother ends up with these underwater dragons, but evidently he must return the stone to its rightful owners. That he does, and is rewarded in the end with the granting of a wish, which lifts his elderly parents and grandparents out of poverty. The confluence of chance with righteous choices and deeds makes for a happy ending.
I wasn’t given much time to bring this project to completion. I also had to work within the limited dimensions and other constraints dictated by the publisher. But I was given free reign with color, and enjoyed the story – especially the little cottages shown in the first two illustrations. Those curved rooflines are most intriguing, and turning the buildings to a 3/4 angle made their architecture that much more appealing. It reminded me of a set of little toy wooden houses I had as a child – part of a compact little painted town, with wooden trees and cars. As I worked on these illustrations, I tried to bring that sense of child appeal into the images. Children’s imaginations are easy to please.
A good week to all!
D. Yael Bernhard
https://dyaelbernhard.com
Have you seen my other Substack, The Art of Health? In addition to being a visual artist, I’m also a certified integrative health & nutrition coach with a lifelong passion for natural food cooking and herbal medicine. Now in its second year, this illustrated newsletter explores cutting-edge concepts of nutrition. I strive to make relevant information clear and accessible, and to anchor essential health concepts in unique images. Check it out, and if you like it, please subscribe and help spread the word. Your support keeps my work going!
I love these purple dragons!!!