Basket Weaver and Catches Many Mice — Janet Gill

Janet Gill spins a modern fable about a skilled artisan, Basket Weaver, and his lucky cat, Catches Many Mice. Basket Weaver makes all kinds of baskets, but when he makes one for a newborn baby, he chooses his materials carefully -- rushes that will bend but not break, owl feathers for wisdom, cherry branches for long life. One day, he and three other basket weavers are selected to make baskets for the Emperor's newborn daughter. The one whose basket is chosen will be granted three requests -- the others will be sent to work in the mines. Standing before the Emperor on the appointed day, Basket Weaver fears the worst, but a surprise appearance by Catches Many Mice and her newborn kitten nestled in his basket wins the hearts of the Emperor and Empress. Basket Weaver is declared the winner and his three requests provide a timely moral lesson about the importance of home, family, and conscience. Yangsook Choi's lush oil paintings, filled with exquisite Asian imagery and landscapes, give this heartwarming tale the feel of a classic.