Publisher: Penguin Books
Author: Li Cunxin Illustrator: Anne Spudvilas

The Peasant Prince is a children’s version of Mao’s Last Dancer, a touching true story about a poor peasant boy who left his home and his family at the young age of 11 to train as a ballet dancer.

Li Cunxin was one of the few chosen from millions of children in China to learn ballet at the Beijing Dance Academy. He faced loneliness, fear and sadness when he thought about his beloved family.

Inspired by his dad’s story about the little frog who wanted to get out of the deep well where he lived to see the bigger world above, Li Cunxin persevered and practised in order to pursue his dream of a better life.

For 7 years he practised in the ballet studio in Beijing until he became the best dancer in China. He then moved to America to continue his ballet studies where he worked very hard to become the best dancer he could. By the age of 21 he had become a star and danced in great cities around the world.

Li Cunxin's happiest moment as a world famous ballet star was the first time his parents were permitted to travel from China to watch him dance. In all his years of ballet training and stardom, he never forgot his family and where he came from.

The Peasant Prince is illustrated by award winning artist Anne Spudvilas. Anne visited the village where Li Cunxin and his family lived and the Beijing Dance Academy. She also studied traditional chinese brush-painting to bring authenticity to her illustrations.

The Peasant Prince is a wonderful story to inspire children to work hard, overcome their fears and pursue their dreams.

I read this book to my children (6 and 8 years) and 5 days later I asked them if they could remember the story. They remembered every detail of it.

Review by Cara Mullin

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