Review of "The Warlord's Fish" by Virginia Walton Pilegard, Nicolas Debon

This is the third story in the popular series of children's books that feature the man called Clever Chuan. This time he is an apprentice to an artist who works for the warlord. The plot is about some strangers who think they have been cheated in the market, and Chuan serves as the interpreter in the dispute. Instead of a reward, he is kidnapped with the strangers and taken through the desert. They have little food after a fierce sandstorm hits the group. They have no water and are lost. Chuan is carrying a wooden fish in his pocket and when it is dropped in a water, it will spin and face south like a compass. The book tells us how with bold and colorful art this works.

This little fish has been a popular little toy for years. Usually it is in the form of a cellophane cut-out. The Chinatown section of San Francisco is where I found this toy many years ago. It is a terrific fun way to learn about the compass and it's usefulness.