Bronze and Sunflower

By: Cao Wenxuan, Helen Wang - translator, Meilo So - illustrator

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

A beautifully written, timeless tale by Cao Wenxuan, best-selling Chinese author and 2016 recipient of the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award.

Sunflower is an only child, and when her father is sent to the rural Cadre School, she has to go with him. Her father is an established artist from the city and finds his new life of physical labor and endless meetings exhausting. Sunflower is lonely and longs to play with the local children in the village across the river. When her father tragically drowns, Sunflower is taken in by the poorest family in the village, a family with a son named Bronze. Until Sunflower joins his family, Bronze was an only child, too, and hasn't spoken a word since he was traumatized by a terrible fire. Bronze and Sunflower become inseparable, understanding each other as only the closest friends can. Translated from Mandarin, the story meanders gracefully through the challenges that face the family, creating a timeless story of the trials of poverty and the power of love and loyalty to overcome hardship.

©2005 Cao Wenxuan, first U.S. edition published by Candlewick Press (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. English translation © 2015 by Helen Wang.

Great book !

I enjoyed listening to the audio book of this story, it helped bring the storyline alive! I felt like I had learned a history lesson about Chinese cultures while reading this book. I enjoyed the ups and downs and twists and turns of the book. It held my attention from start to finish. Well written !

Loved every second!

My daughter and I have never loved a book more. We listened to it every chance we got. It was a fun and enjoyable way to pass the time during self quarantine.

bronze and sunflower

is a wonderful and well written book. I think it's a great story I listened to it with my mom at night to fall asleep and anytime I could find free time.

A good book for children and adults alike.

This book was chosen for a children's book club age 8-12. My son seemed to like the book. I enjoyed it too as it reflects the story of hardship of life, and the struggles of a family especially a little girl. The setting is during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. The book is basically on family life of this little girl and boy. It is a well written fiction book.