Eighteen Vats of Water

Keywords: Art, self-management, relationships, perseverance

The award-winning author of Red Scarf Girl presents another compelling true story of Chinese culture and history. As long as he can remember, Xian has wanted to be a great calligrapher like his father. Calligraphy is more than writing — it’s painting — and Xian learns how much work and creativity go into what look like effortless strokes. Based on the actual history of Xian and his famous father, Eighteen Vats of Water is about creativity, learning to see, and determination,as well as the importance of family traditions.

“Synopsis: As long as he can remember, Xian has wanted to be a great calligrapher, like his father. When he turns six, he’s finally old enough to start studying. Calligraphy is more than writing — it’s painting — and Xian learns how much work and creativity go into what look like effortless strokes. Based on stories still told about Xian and his father, famous calligraphers of the 4th century, “Eighteen Vats of Water” by the team of author/storyteller Ji-Li Jiang and artist/illustrator Nadia Hsieh is about determination, creativity, and learning how to see, as well as the importance of family traditions.