Review of "The Master Swordsman & the Magic Doorway : Two Legends from Anci" by Alice Provensen

This book contains two legends from ancient China. Author and artist Alice Provensen is a former Caldicot Medalist. Both Alice and her husband are authors of some notes.

One of the tales is about Little Chu who wants to defend his family and his village from bandits. He goes to Master Li and becomes an apprentice to this great teacher. What he really learns is that the skill to sword fight means he will never have to use it.

The second tale concerns a mural that the Emperor sees. He decrees that the painter's reward shall be death because no one else should own such a beautiful work of art but the Emperor. Using art and its power the artist survives the Emperor's cruel edict.

Both of the tales are beautifully illustrated and will delight the very young.