Pie Biter

By Ruthanne Lum McCunn

Illustrated by Youshan Tang

$16.95, Hardcover, 32 pages

English Text

Ages 5-10

ISBN-10: 1885008074

ISBN-13: 9781885008077

Pie Biter is the legend of a pioneer in the tradition of John Henry and Paul Bunyan, based on real characters in the 1800’s. The story begins with Hoi coming from China to help build the railroad. Only a skinny boy at first, his love for American pies quickly helps him gain in size and strength—and earns him the nickname of Pie Biter.

Then, with the help of his friend Spanish Louis, he uses a clever ruse that sets him on the path to becoming a successful packer. Initially published in 1983 as the Chinese American answer to Paul Bunyan, the story is now re-published in a new design and a tri-lingual format featuring English, Chinese and Spanish.

Click the book to browse inside!

China 10-Book Set

Includes:
Chinese History Stories: Zhou Dynasty
Chinese History Stories: Imperial Era
D is for Doufu
The Day the Dragon Danced
The Dragon Lover
Dragonsong
I Love China
The Magical Monkey King: Mischief in Heaven
The Pie Biter
The Wishing Tree

Total Value of $147.50
Now Only $110.50! 25% Off!

News and Thoughts

Also by Ruthanne Lum McCunn...

Renee Ting

on August 12, 2008 3:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ruthanne Lum McCunn is also the author of Thousand Pieces of Gold, which was made into a feature film in 1991. Her other books include:

Wooden Fish Songs
Sole Survivor
Chinese Proverbs

...and most recently, God of Luck, a story of a Chinese man in the nineteenth century who is kidnapped and shipped to Peru as a slave.

Publisher's Weekly

Renee Ting

on August 12, 2008 3:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Publisher's Weekly says this about Pie-Biter by Ruthanne Lum McCunn, illustrated by Youshan Tang:

"McCunn tells eloquently the story of a real person... Legends about Pie-Biter's exploits and his business acumen keep the reader engrossed in his life, particularly in his career after the work on the railroad ended. Paintings by the gifted artist Tang illustrate the book handsomely."

School Library Journal

Renee Ting

on August 12, 2008 3:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The School Library Journal has this to say about Pie-Biter by Ruthanne Lum McCunn and Youshan Tang:

"The illustrations are striking, in pleasantly bold colors and with interesting documentary backgrounds introduced from time to time... A valuable tribute to the pioneering work of the Chiense-American community."

1984 American Book Award

Renee Ting

on August 12, 2008 3:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The American Book Award was established in 1978 by the Before Columbus Foundation. It seeks to recognize outstanding literary achievement by contemporary American authors, without restriction to race, sex, ethnic background, or genre.

The Pie-Biter has been chosen for the the 1984 American Book Award by the Before Columbus Foundation.

Children's Bookwatch Reviews

Shen's Books

on August 5, 2008 4:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Pie-Biter by Ruthanne Lum McCunn reviewed by Children's Bookwatch:

"In 1865, young Hoi came from China to help build the American cross-continental railroad. Only a skinny boy at first, his love for American pies quickly helps him gain in size and strength, and earns him the nickname 'Pie-Biter'. With the help of his friend, Spanish Louis, Hoi uses a clever ruse that sets him on the path to becoming a successful packer. Ruthanne Lum McCunn's lively and inventive story is perfectly showcased through the colorful artwork of You-shan Tang. Pie-Biter is a true classic-in-the-making which will become a perennial favorite for generations of young readers to come".