When a wandering beggar-priest arrives in his small farming village, young Fu Nan, like the other children of the area, is drawn to the cheerful newcomer, who soon reveals his magical abilities. Most of the villagers, aware that the priest has taken a vow of poverty, share their food, but wealthy Farmer Wu refuses. A confrontation at the August Moon Festival leads to an unexpected resolution to their conflict, and a lesson for Farmer Wu about stinginess...

Originally collected in the eighteenth century, in Pu Songling's Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, this traditional tale is ably retold here by Margaret and Raymond Chang, and beautifully illustrated by David Johnson, whose ink, watercolor and pencil artwork has a delicate charm that is very appealing. A teaching tale with a healthy dose of enchantment, The Beggar's Magic is one picture-book retelling that young folklore enthusiasts - particularly those with an interest in China - will want to take a look at! ( )