"When the Chinese Emperor announces an unusual test to choose an heir-- the child who raises the best flowers from a seed given by the Emperor will be his successor-- Ping, unaccountably, is unable to get his seed to sprout....A lovely story, well told and most attractively presented."--Kirkus Reviews, pointer
"A beautifully crafted book that will be enjoyed as much for the richness of its illustrations as the simplicity of its story."--School Library Journal