Big Enough by Regina Linke

Grandfather sends young Ah-Fu to collect their ox from the field but he warns the boy:

"Just don't try to ride him ... you're not big enough to hold on yet."

As Ah-Fu walks along others add to this advice. The swallows warn him not to lead the ox by the horns; and the frog says don't herd the ox from behind. Three pieces of advice. It is a lot to remember but then Ah-Fu meets the ox and as they journey home it seems each piece of advice will need to be disregarded. Perhaps Ah-Fu is actually old enough for this important responsibility after all. 

Here is an interview with the author about her book and in this 9 minute video you can see Regina talking about Big Enough. Here is the web page for this book. 

I spied this book in one of our city bookstore a few month ago and then I attended an event in the store and the price of admission could be used for book purchases. This seems like such a great way to organise an event - people pay to attend so you can be sure they will come and the reward is a book or two.

If you buy Big Enough published in 2025 (AUS$30) for your school library you will want to work out how to share the image under the dust jacket. And also stop and consider the way the end papers move from early in the day to late at night. 

Author blurb: Little Ah-Fu has a big imagination, but he can’t imagine being the Oxherd Boy . . . yet. When the day comes for Ah-Fu to bring the huge family ox home from the woods, he worries that he’s not big enough to do the job.Will fear and self-doubt drive Ah-Fu home empty-handed? Or can he rely on his wits and compassion to become the Oxherd Boy his family expects—and prove to himself that he is, indeed, big enough? Delightfully paired with exquisite illustrations, this empowering story inspired by traditional Chinese philosophy shows kids big and small how to trust themselves and embrace what they can be.

The illustrations, painted digitally using traditional Chinese techniques, are by turns realistic and minimalist, then fantastical and lush, capturing an agrarian countryside filtered through the unbridled imagination of youth. This tale of quiet persistence, enhanced by the ox’s impressively expressive eyebrows, will strike a chord with young readers looking for their own burst of courage. A gentle adventure for big dreamers in small bodies. Kirkus

Big Enough is a debut picture book with a character taken from her previous book:

The Oxherd Boy (a book for adults) has 160 pages and was published in 2024. Here is the publisher blurb: In this exquisitely illustrated parable grounded in the three pillars of Chinese philosophy, a young boy, his family ox, and a rabbit living in his garden help each other navigate the daily work of love, compassion, and community. Examining the world through the lenses of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, their conversations convey tender, uplifting messages for life's various crossroads. As they adopt a sparrow, bathe in rivers, comfort their neighbors, and tend to their chores, the characters’ different perspectives are reflected in their conversations: the boy’s Taoist love of nature and all it entails, the ox’s Buddhist compassion for others, and the rabbit’s Confucian practice of mutual respect and care. While they don't always agree, the friends settle on the basic truth that purpose comes from simply engaging with life—and with each other. Painted in a contemporary gongbi style, one of the oldest continuous art forms in the world, the atmospheric illustrations from Taiwanese American artist Regina Linke conjure a timeless, mystical land where the friends have made their home. The potent combination of magnificent art and gentle revelations will capture the hearts of readers, whatever their age.

Post update - Regina Linke has a new book (coming in 2026) to follow on from Big Enough:

Publisher blurb: It's a beautiful day in Ah-Fu's village, and all he wants to do is fly his kite, ride in his grandfather's oxcart, and have a picnic. But a tangled string, a busy aunt, a fallen tree, and more threaten to ruin Ah-Fu's chances of enjoying this perfect day with the people he loves. Can little Ah-Fu come up with creative ways to help his friends and family, or will his plans for a nice day be ruined? Inspired by traditional Chinese philosophy and told alongside gorgeous illustrations, this modern fable encourages readers of all ages to use inventive problem-solving strategies and lend a helping hand wherever they can.

The Emperor's Egg by Rae Tan

It is my hope that little readers will learn that heroism isn’t just about grand gestures or having superpowers. A true hero is also someone who is honest and brave enough to stand by their values 

even in the face of challenges and temptations. Quiet heroism is also often found in our everyday efforts – whether it is standing up for a friend or sharing your toys and snacks, 

these little actions speak of bravery and kindness! Rae Tan Good Reading

Looking for a worthy successor to his throne, an ageing emperor gives all the children in his kingdom an egg. After thirty days, he will judge what each child delivers to him and choose his heir. Ren brings his egg home and takes the best care of it. He reads to it, sings to it, sleeps with it and keeps it warm. Ren waits and waits, but his egg never hatches, while all around him wondrous hatchlings are emerging from other children's eggs. In a hall full of magical creatures, how can Ren present his unhatched egg to the emperor? Teacher's Notes

Image source: Instagram Rae Tan

... a reimagining of an ancient Chinese folk tale about integrity, courage and patience. Queensland Reviewers Collective

The author Rae Tan, who was born in Singapore but now lives in Perth, is also the illustrator. Her particular art style, which is mainly in pastels and watercolours, displays the Asian culture and highlights moods and emotions through her figures. She holds a BA in international politics from King’s College London, and performance diplomas for both the piano and violin from Trinity College London. Currently, she is a music teacher working with young children. She is passionate about creating beloved characters and imaginative stories.

Here is an interview with Rae Tan where she talks about her book Pancakes for Plum.

My brain often thinks about book pairs and so as soon as I read this book a couple of months ago while browsing in a city bookstore I knew the perfect companion book. You could read the three books from this post as a part of a mini unit with your Grade One or Two students. And perhaps then add in another wonderful book by Julia Donaldson (that is not as well-known as her famous titles) The Magic Paintbrush. I also have a Pinterest of Picture Books with an Asian focus. 

The Empty Pot

You might also look for this one:

In a faithful retelling of an ancient Chinese folktale, Peng faces a dilemma. The emperor is old and childless, so he has decided to choose a successor from among the children. Calling them together, he gave each child a single seed and instructed them to nurture it for a year. After that time, they were to return to the palace and show what had grown. Despite careful and loving care, Peng’s seed has failed to even germinate. To avoid public humiliation, he tells his parents he doesn’t want to return to the palace. They tell Peng he should go and tell the emperor that he tried his best but failed. Each of the other children arrive carrying luxuriant plants with colorful flowers. The emperor inspects each one, but when he sees Peng’s vase and hears his report, he declares Peng his heir and discloses that the seeds he distributed could never sprout. Honesty and bravery are the qualities he sought in his successor. Only Peng had the courage to bring an empty vase and tell the truth. Source

The Frog's First Song by Jazz Money illustrated by Jason Phu

First, the world is all dark. A little bit muddled and confused.

The only sound dripping water and small bubbles gurgling.

In that darkness and quiet, everyone is alone.

This is the world in the well.

This book opens with black pages. We can see a solitary frog sitting at the bottom of a well. He makes a little croak and then discovers he can sing. I am thinking the acoustics in the well would be fabulous. His song is heard by others. It is the first song and now it swells into a chorus of voices. 

"Their song is friendship and family, and with it the frogs feel brave."

Singing together makes the frogs feel so brave that they are able to venture out into the world where they are greeted by the night sky and the moon - "a perfect circle moon". (A great opportunity to talk to a young library group about the significance of the full moon and also the phases of the moon).

Do you love the sound of frogs - especially at night? I do. I sometimes hear them near my house. This book explores a reason why frogs love to sing in the night. You can hear 15 Australian frogs here - this is well worth a listen. 

Here is another text quote:

"That even in dark times, when we come together with song or dance or story, suddenly the world is brighter and no one needs to be alone."

You can see Jazz Money a Wiradjuri poet and her friend artist Jason Phu talking about their book here. This is their debut picture book. And here are some teachers notes from the publisher and a set from Lamont.

Read more about Jason Phu here. He has been a finalist in the Sulman Prize (2023, 2022, 2019, 2018), The Archibald Prize (2023, 2015, 2014), The Wynne Prize (2023), the Ramsay Art Prize and Australia’s premier prize for emerging artists (2017), the NSW Emerging Visual Arts Fellowship (2017), and the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship (2016). He is clearly a very successful artist.

Jazz Money talks about her story:

A few years ago, Jason asked me to write about an artwork he was making, which was all about singing frogs. We spoke about ancestral frog stories, and at that time I was really obsessed with choirs and the joyful act of singing in groups – I still am obsessed with how special it is to sing with other people! Instead of writing an art essay I decided to write a short story about singing frogs. I wrote the first draft of the story very quickly. I was having so much fun writing. After finishing the story, I thought it would make a good children’s book and asked Jason if he would like to illustrate. In the story the frogs find one another first through song, then by dancing, hopping and moving out of the well into the light of the moon. I think being a part of communities is so important to help us feel safe, nurtured, joyous and supported and I am glad that the frogs reminded me of the power of gathering together.

Thank you to University of Queensland Press for sending me a review copy of The Frog's First Song. On Saturday 12th July you can meet the creators of this book at our city bookstore Kinokinuya and also on 5th July at Gleebooks Kids. 

The supplied notes say this book was inspired by a Chinese parable 'The frog in the well' and First Nations Creation stories. I would like to find a list of First Nations Stories featuring frogs - I can only think of the famous one about Tiddalick but I am sure there are others. If I was sharing The Frog's Song with a group of students I think I would read the text without the illustrations as a first experience and then allow some time for the group to talk about the art used in this book. 

I found this information about the Chinese proverb:

The idiom the frog at the bottom of the well (or “look at the sky from the bottom of a well) is from “Zhuang Zi”, a famous Taoism Book. It means to have a narrow view of the world, to have only superficial knowledge of something, or to be short-sighted.

My friend from Kinderbookswitheverything remembered The Peasant Prince - the story of the dancer Li Cunxin - also referred to this Chinese story:

"The story of Li Cunxin’s remarkable life has already reached thousands of readers throughout the world, a story that was first published in 2003 as Mao’s Last Dancer.  But it has always been a story about childhood, and now, with the publication of this picture book version, Li’s story will be enjoyed by very young children as well. Our picture book story begins with Li and his beloved father flying a kite together on the bleak, wind-swept fields around Li’s childhood village.  It is here that Li’s father tells him an old Chinese fable - a  story about a frog who was determined to escape from a deep, dark well. This story of the little frog’s determination touched Li so much that it became a constant reminder to him of his own life and of how, if he was just as determined, he might be able to escape from his life of poverty". Scholastic.  Read more on the NCACL (National Centre for Australian Children's Literature) Picture Books for Older Readers database. You can see a video of The Peasant Prince here.

Here are a couple of other splendid Chinese stories, I have previously discussed, by the Hans Christian Andersen award winner Cao Wenxuan (I am keen to see his new book Flying High):

Lemon Butterfly

The Wooden Fish

Smoke

With older students you could compare The First Frog's song with this famous story from Iran:

The Little Black Fish

The Dinner that Cooked itself by JC Hsyu illustrated by Kenard Pak

The Chinese zodiac, known as Sheng Xiao or Shu Xiang, features 12 animal signs in this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Originated from ancient zoolatry and boasting a history of more than 2,000 years, it plays an essential role in Chinese culture. The 12 Chinese zodiac animals in a cycle are not only used to represent years in China, but also believed to influence people’s personalities, career, compatibility, marriage, and fortune. 

Five Elements: Ancient Chinese believed that all things in the world, including the zodiac animals, belonged to five categories – Metal (Monkey, Rooster), Wood (Tiger, Rabbit), Water (Rat, Pig), Fire (Snake, Horse), and Earth (Ox, Dragon, Sheep, Dog).

2024 is the Year of the Dragon. In this book the idea of marriage compatibility is explored with references to the Tiger, Dog, and Rabbit and the meaning of these signs - Wood, Earth and Fire. In the western world we might think of star signs in a similar way.

"Long ago in ancient China there lives an honest, respectful and hard-working man named Tuan."

"When Tuan was old enough to live by himself he moved into a small house with a small field but he was lonely and longed for a wife. And so Old Lin and Madame Lin hired a matchmaker."

Tuan was born in the Year of the Dog and so with a girl born in the Year of the Tiger there would never be peace. Then the matchmaker suggested the silk weavers daughter but her name contained the character for Wood and Tuan's name contained the character for Earth. 

"With Wood and Earth fighting for room under such a small roof there would never be growth."

One night Tuan found a snail in his garden. He took the snail inside and fed it cabbage leaves. Over the next nights, when Tuan returns from his work, there is always a delicious hot dinner waiting on his table. If you have read any folktales or fairy tales you might have guessed about this food. The snail contains a beautiful woman called White Wave - a fairy sent by The Lord of Heaven. 

No she is not destined to be a wife for Tuan but she leaves him her shell with the promise that it will always be filled with rice for his dinner. Over time Tuan does find a wife and the final words of this book will make you smile:

"They loved each other very much and lived happily together."

This would be an interesting book to share with a group of older students when you talk about Chinese New Year and the associated symbolism. The illustrations by Kenard Pak are wonderful. Hopefully you can find this book in a library because sadly it is now out of print. I have talked about other books illustrated by Kenard Pak - click on the label on this post to see more. 

Publisher blurb: Long, long ago, in a small town in ancient China, there lived an honest and respectful man called Tuan. Tuan was lonely and looked hard for a wife, but even the matchmaker couldn’t help him. One night, however, Tuan’s luck changed. And so begins the story of Tuan, White Wave, and the Dinner that Cooked Itself. This beautiful and enchanting Chinese fairytale will captivate the imagination with the perfect blend of magic and realism!

Video source: Skwigly

A breath of fresh air in its beauty and simplicity. Kirkus

This book feeds the mind and the senses as it is so atmospheric and the story really draws you in. Drawn in an amazing Chinese watercolour style, the book also shows you some simple Chinese symbols for some of the elements featured in the story so children can practice their Chinese calligraphy skills. It's a beautiful book indeed and such a satisfying story! Read it Daddy

The aesthetic of Pak’s work relies heaving on shape making, pattern and texture to encapsulate that traditional vibe of the tale. The muted palette and attention to detail all work together to make this book visually engaging and utterly beautiful. Particularly effective is the use of these techniques when creating images of food and landscape. Skwigly (you can see inside this book on this site)

You could compare this book with The Paper Crane.