Chili-Chili-Chin-Chin by Belle Yang, Belle Yang (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Best friends come in many shapes and sizes, and all it takes to make a friend is caring, sharing, and love. Just ask Chili-Chili-Chin-Chin, a mischievous little donkey whose best friend named him for the sound his bells make. With vibrant jewel-like artwork and gentle words, Belle Yang tells this charming tale of unexpected friendship between an impetuous donkey and a lovable boy.

Publishers Weekly

In Yangs inaugural childrens book, the eponymous hero is a spunky purple donkey with a harness of bells that sings out his name. Though several people attempt to rein him in, Chili-Chili-Chin-Chin refuses to be ridden, owned or made to work in the fieldsuntil one special boy, the boy who gave me my name, comes calling. Then Chili-Chili-Chin-Chin is game for anything: I take him in the spring to find blossoms, in the summer to watch turtles swim, in autumn to pick persimmons, and in winter to make fresh tracks (the two even have matching tufts of hair on their heads). Although Yangs text occasionally teeters into heavyhandedness (He gives me room to be alone in my thoughts. He knows my dreams whether I say anything or not, says the donkey), her buoyant gouache illustrations keep the story lighthearted. She characterizes scenes of cart drivers aloft and children spinning in mid-air with witty folk-art stylings and an exuberant sense of color. The artwork conjures a magical Asian landscape for Chili-Chili-Chin-Chin and his friend to frolic ina world where star-like flowers dapple the ground and the sky glows like sapphires. Ages 3-7. (May)

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2Chili-Chili-Chin-Chin, a very independent purple donkey who wears a collar of golden bells and a fringed, pink saddlecloth, tells this story in simple poetic language. A free spirit, the animal kicks and runs away whenever people try to catch it and will only associate with the little boy who gave the creature its name. Together, they enjoy finding flowers in the spring, watching turtles swim in summer, picking persimmons in autumn, and making fresh tracks in the snow. The closest of friends, they respect one anothers freedom. The sophisticated folk art, in brilliantly colored gouache double-page spreads, is filled with action and whimsical decorative detail. A lively and charming tale about a special friendship.Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Chili-Chili-Chin-Chin is a donkey that knows what it likes and what it dislikes. Complementing Yang's color-saturated artwork is a simple text that makes clear Chili-Chili-Chin-Chin's purpose and declaration: "Some people say, `Chili-Chili-Chin-Chin, you sweet donkey, I want to ride you, I want to own you.' `Oh, no, never! Impossible!' I tell them, and send them on their way," with a hoof to the hindquarters. There is one person Chili-Chili-Chin-Chin enjoys spending time with: the little boy who named him, after the sounds of the bells around the donkey's neck. They travel around the countryside, season to season, in pursuit of blossoms in spring and turtles in summer, persimmons in the fall, and laying down a fresh set of tracks in the snow. They are pals who appreciate the subtlety of friendship, as when "he gives me room to be alone with my thoughts." Whether giving room or sharing good times, Chili-Chili-Chin-Chin and the boy's approach gives friendship an enviable suppleness. (Picture book. 3-8)

Product Details