The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes

Clever twist on classic tale adds dimension and great art.
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes, by Ying Chang Compestine (Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party), and illustrated by David Roberts (Rosie Revere, Engineer), offers an Asian twist to the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. A cheeky unseen narrator frames this retelling as the real story, set in Imperial China, of a boy emperor who tricks his corrupt ministers to better serve his people. In an author's note, Compestine explains that she has drawn on her own experience of going up against authorities as a child growing up in China's Cultural Revolution to create this version. It's an engaging, universal morality tale presented in a fresh new cultural context.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In THE CHINESE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES, author Ying Chang Compestine moves the classic European fairy tale to Imperial China. She also shifts the focus from two weavers who trick a vain emperor into parading though the streets naked and fooling the townspeople into saying they see his fine clothes, to Ming Da, a 9-year-old emperor who gets his tailors to trick three corrupt ministers who've been stealing from his people. For the upcoming Lunar New Year parade, the tailors make robes out of old burlap rice sacks but tell the ministers that the garments are magical: "Honest people will see their true splendor, while the dishonest will see only burlap sacks." Not wanting to appear dishonest, the corrupt ministers claim to see rubies and pearls embedded in fine silk, and give the tailors more jewels, gold, and rice to trade to make their robes "more splendid than the others." (Ming Da uses those riches to buy food for his hungry people.) As in the original tale, the truth about the garments is revealed by a child observing the parade.
Is It Any Good?
This twist on a classic has a new setting, more dimension, and wonderful art to draw kids into the story. The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes does more than expose a ruler's vanity and his people's urge to go along with whatever he says, despite what they see with their own eyes. Here, the boy ruler is honest, caring, and intent on exposing his corrupt ministers. As author Ying Chang Compestine explains in a poignant, informative author's note, she knows a thing or two about corrupt ministers, having grown up in China during the Cultural Revolution (1966-76). Western literature, including fairy tales, was banned, and she had to hide her copy of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Emperor's New Clothes" from the authorities. "Like the boy emperor, I always searched for ways to outsmart the officials."
David Roberts' stunning art adds significantly to the storytelling, with colorful full-page scenes and dazzling two-page spreads, especially the one showing the huddled ministers framed by the Lunar New Year parade's dragon dancers moments before a boy calls them out and the children roar with laughter on the following spread.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes differs from the traditional folktale "The Emperor's New Clothes." What changes did the author make? Is this version more interesting? Is the story's message the same?
What did you know about Lunar New Year (also known as Chinese New Year) before reading this story? What did you learn about that tradition?
What things does the boy emperor do that show he's a kind person and good leader?
Book Details
- Author: Ying Chang Compestine
- Illustrator: David Roberts
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models, History
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: December 26, 2017
- Number of pages: 32
- Available on: Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated: September 27, 2021
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love fairy tales and Asian stories
Themes & Topics
Browse titles with similar subject matter.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate