The Littlest Emperor

May 31, 2004
Inconsistent illustrations and sluggish prose cause problems in a story about a child emperor who finds unexpected rewards in a small village. Having provided for all the needs and desires of his subjects, the Littlest Emperor explores his unnamed Asian country, "the largest and most beautiful kingdom in the world," in search of amusement, but finds only tiresome adult-style flattery, as operas are performed for him and pagodas are constructed in his honor. At the point of despair, the Littlest Emperor jumps out of his carriage to join a group of children having a mud fight, then thoroughly enjoys a communal bath with his new companions. Polunin renders the Littlest Emperor and his small friends as round dolls with huge dumpling heads and tiny hands and feet—a style beloved in China but less familiar to U.S. readers. She devotes attention to gouache portraits of the story's characters and their rainbow-colored Chinese robes, but renders backgrounds and foregrounds in a contrasting style, with heavy swirls of sky, leaves and flowers. In the climactic scene, the Littlest Emperor has the pleasure of assuring his weeping Grand Adviser that he is not lost. "I'm here! And guess what?... I've found fun at last!" A certain flat-footed tone undermines the fantastic setting: "He really enjoyed playing and relaxing with his new-found friends." Ages 3-up.