The Story of Wali Dad

Author: Kristina Rodanas
Publisher: Lothrop, Lee and Shephard Books
Copyright: 1988
Genre: Picture/Fiction
Pages: 32
Reading Level: Ages 5 to 8 (Barnes and Noble)
Summary: Wali Dad is a humble old man who lives a humble lifestyle. He cuts grass for a living and sells it to feed to livestock. He saves up pennies. One day he notices his vase that he holds his pennies in is overflowing and decides it is time to spend his money. He decides to buy a simple bracelet with a pearl inlaid in it. Soon he decides it is too beautiful to have sitting around in his house so he asks a merchant friend to deliver it to the most beautiful and kind woman he has ever met. The merchant says that would be a certain princess and delivers the bracelet. She sends a return gift of fine linens. Wali Dad feels this is too much for a man like him and tells the merchant to take them to the most honorable man he has ever met. This happens to be a certain prince. The merchant does so and the prince sends back a bigger return gift. Wali Dad gives some to the merchant for his trouble and sends the rest to the princess. This gift exchanging goes on for a while until the Princesses father says Wali Dad must be seeking her hand in marriage and they want to go meet him. Wali Dad says he can't fit all the guests or feed them but the merchant offers to take care of it all because he is rich by this point with his payments from Wali Dad for his services. Wali Dad agrees and when the King asks if he wants to marry his daughter, Wali Dad is shocked and says he is too old and too ugly but that he could suggest the most honorable Prince. The Prince and the Princess that have been exchanging gifts fall in love at once and are married. Wali Dad is happiest of all because the princess is wearing the bracelet he bought and sent to her.
Who would you recommend this book to? I would recommend this book to any children. I think it's a good story to promote service.
Potential problems or conflicts: None
My reaction: This was a good book. It was a fun story with a touch of cultural exposure. I really like stories like this.