Two of Everything

Title:  Two of Everything

Retold by: Lily Toy Hong

Illustrator: Lily Toy Hong

Medium: Airbrushed acrylics and gouache

Genre: Folklore

Other Relevant Information: It is Ms. Hong’s second children’s book.

Summary: Once long ago, a man finds a big magic pot in his garden. He and his wife discover that whatever you throw in it, it doubles – making two of everything.

Literary Elements: 

• Language: The author does not include controlled, diluted, or trite vocabulary in her book. The writing and text are really smooth and relaxing to read. It is a balance of dialogue and narration. I do not have the original book so I do not know how much integrity she has in her retelling.
• Structure: The author’s literary structure is wholesome. The plot of the story is straightforward, but the message is vague.
• Theme: Marriage, teamwork, discovery, greed, natural highs, materialism
• Illustrations: The illustrations reflect the cultural heritage of the tale because it has Chinese characters (writing) and coins. The drawings are great because they are simple.

Evaluation: I got this book because it seemed like an interesting story. I have never heard of a magic pot making two of everything. I enjoyed the illustrations because it is “clean-cut” and simple.

Social Justice Element: I believe that the social justice element in this book is self-love and knowledge. I chose this element because the book provides an opportunity for students from China, or even any student who is curious, to explore their cultural heritage. The characters in the book obviously love themselves when they make two of everything from the magic pot. They want to make sure they have enough things for themselves. I could discuss with the students about their identity and self-love as well.

Follow-Up Activity: One activity I found online was a math activity at: http://mathwire.blogspot.com/2010/04/two-of-everything.html. I would like to do that activity.