The Rock Maiden: A Chinese tale of love and loyalty, by Natasha Yim (ages 4-8)

As a child, I loved imagining that images in clouds, rocks and mountains were connected to the folktales I loved to read. Natasha Yim brings this wonder to her tale, The Rock Maiden, which updates the traditional Chinese legend of Amah Rock in Hong Kong.

The Rock Maiden: A Chinese Tale of Love and Loyalty
by Natasha Yim
illustrated by Pirkko Vainio
Wisdom Tales, 2017
Amazon / Your local library
ages 4-8

When Ling Yee's husband is lost at sea during a terrible storm, she is distraught--yet she cannot let herself believe that he has died. "Maybe he found somewhere to wait out the storm," she thinks to herself as she keeps watch for him. Every morning, she returns to the same spot, with her baby strapped to her back, to look for him.

"Ling Yee asked each exhausted fisherman, 'Have you seen Ching Yin?' But each shook his head."

Legend holds that Tin Hua, the goddess of fishermen, took pity on Ling Yee's sorrow. She turned Ling Yee and her baby into stone, perhaps to reunite with her husband in the afterlife. Amah Rock stands in Hong Kong, high on a mountain overlooking the island and the sea. It looks uncannily like a woman holding a child.

Amah Rock in Hong Kong

In retelling this legend, Natasha Yim creates a happy ending for young readers -- bringing Ching Yin back to his village after surviving the storm. Tin Hua, the goddess, takes pity once again and returns Ling Yee to life. Natasha Yim writes in her author's note,

"As a teenager growing up (in Hong Kong), I was captivated by this story. There is a hotel in Sha Tin with a large outdoor patio and a gorgeous view of the hills, valley below, and the Amah Rock. My family would go there on weekends for lunch or afternoon tea and I'd spend the time watching the Amah Rock and willing her to come back to life. She never did, of course, but her story has always stuck with me."

This story exudes warmth and love, as Ling Yee waits for her husband and then is finally reunited with him. It would be interesting to ask children if they like this new ending, or if they prefer the traditional tale's ending.

The review copy was kindly sent by the publisher, Wisdom Tales. If you make a purchase using the Amazon links on this site, a small portion goes to Great Kid Books. Thank you for your support.

©2017 Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books