PPBF: The Greatest Power

Happy Friday, the 13th. 
Today I'm delighted because in a week my billboard {in partnership with 
The Joy Team} will be going up on Commerce St. in San Antonio.
It's super exciting to be a part of this inspirational campaign! 


Who is your superhero?
What is their superpower?
And what, do you think, is the greatest power in the world? 


That's a nice segue into today's PPBF,
which attempts to answer just that.


Title: The Greatest Power
Author & Illustrator: Demi
Publisher: McElderry Books 
Date: March 1, 2004
Suitable for ages: 5 - 8 (and older!)
Themes: harmony, wisdom, culture
Fiction
Brief synopsis: In search of a wise Prime Minister to help bring harmony to his kingdom, Emperor Ping, of Demi's The Empty Pot fame, sends the children on a year-long quest to find and bring back the greatest power to him.
Opening page:  A long time ago in China there was a boy emperor named Ping who was known throughout the kingdom for his honesty and his love of harmony. The boy emperor enjoyed climbing to the top of the palace and looking through his big telescope at the heavens.

Resources: Read a review at Simon & Schuster {here}.
Visit You Tube {here} to learn more about the book.
Download The Quest lesson plan by Nancy Sheehan {here}.
Click {here} to integrate some Chinese Culture

Why I like this book:  Books by Demi challenge me to think "outside the box" and go beyond the words to find deeper meanings. And since my one little word for 2015 is harmony, you can imagine my surprise and delight when I uncovered this Demi treasure that I'd never heard about before at Half Price Books a few weeks back. Ping's story continues with a challenge {sort of like the one he took in The Empty Pot} that sends the children in search of something special: The Greatest Power. Could it be weapons or wealth? Fortune or fame? Young Sing is certain that it's bigger than all of those things because of what Ping told them: 
A wise person must be able to see the unseen
 and know the unknown.
I can see posing this inquiry ~ What is The Greatest Power? ~ to my students prior to reading what the author proposes as her answer. You could have students write their answer in Chinese lettering and create a billboard ad, kind of like this:


The title also begs for some Chinese cultural integration and celebration; integrate costumes or currency, food or fun into an enrichment event as you and your students celebrate The Greatest Power. {Have you guessed yet what it is?}

Check out this book; I think you'll be intrigued to find out what Ping sees as the greatest power in his kingdom and for his people. Then head to Susanna's blog to read the other blogger's PPBF picks.




18 comments

  1. This book is a winner! The right use of power is really timely for kids right now. I like how the book does nudge you/kids to think outside of the box. What a perfect choice for your class. I really enjoyed your classroom activities. I like to choose a virtue like "harmony, unity etc.as my seed thought for the year. This year mine is harmlessness.

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    1. I like harmlessness for a OLW, Pat. Thanks, as always, for your thoughtful reflections!

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  2. This is intriguing. I was fortunate to see Demi's illustrations at a museum, so I look forward to getting a better look at this book. Thank-you.

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    1. Oh, my stars, I'd LOVE to see Demi's illustrations as a museum exhibit. Yes, the pictures are beautiful!

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  3. This sounds like a multi-layered story that I would enjoy reading and sharing. This has made the "need to find it" list!

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    1. I think you'll be glad you did, Wendy. Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. Demi's books are true works of art. For adults as well as kids!

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    1. Amen! I only have three of them, but I have no doubt that her others are masterpieces as well.

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  5. Ooh I'm definitely intrigued by your description. I'm pinning so I don't forget.
    Thanks!

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    1. If you liked the Empty Pot, you'll love this one, Barb.

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  6. I haven't heard of The Greatest Power of The Empty Pot but they both sound very interesting and I like books that make you think outside the box.

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    1. The Empty Pot is one of my all-time faves, which is why I was so shocked to know there was a sequel out for 10 years before it crossed my path. I hope you'll like them as much as I do!

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  7. This looks interesting... how can I not have come across it yet?

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    1. Seriously ... I felt that EXACT same way ... couldn't believe it ... but yay, now we know about it! Thanks for stopping by.

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  8. I'm not familiar with this author and illustrator. So, I'll check my library. Congratulations about the billboard! Awesome.

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    1. Oh, I DO hope your library has them ... or your Half Price book store. And, thanks for the congrats ... SUPER excited for it to go up this week!

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  9. I read a story similar to this and loved it. This definitely sounds like a winner too.

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    1. I'd love to know the title ... it'd be a fun compare/contrast! Thanks, Joyce.

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I really enjoy hearing from my readers; thanks for sharing your reflections with us!