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  • The Empty Pot by Demi book cover
  • The Empty Pot by Demi book cover
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The Empty Pot

by Demi

An empty pot and a test of honesty

$19.77 USD
$32.96 USD $19.77 USD
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Hardcover New

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Print BookCurrently viewing Hardcover $19.77 USD$32.96 USD
Print BookAvailable Paperback $14.21 USD$23.69 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Book club selection

    IRA-CBC Children's Choice

    The metadata identifies The Empty Pot as an IRA-CBC Children's Choice.

  • Editorial selection

    American Bookseller “Pick of the Lists”

    The metadata describes The Empty Pot as an American Bookseller “Pick of the Lists.”

AlbakiReads Editorial

An empty pot and a test of honesty

Set in a long-ago China, the tale begins with an emperor inviting children across the kingdom to grow a flower from a seed, with the winner named as his heir. Ping, a boy known for his flourishing plants, carefully tends his seed, but nothing sprouts. When he appears before the emperor with an empty pot, the story’s central contrast comes into view: visible success versus honesty when effort has not produced the expected result. Demi’s picture book presents that choice through a simple folkloric contest, making honesty and responsibility its guiding themes.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children ages 4–8 interested in picture-book fairy tales and folklore.
  • Families seeking a story centered on honesty and responsibility.

Themes

HonestyResponsibilityPerseveranceFairy tales and folklore

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

The Empty Pot is Demi's beloved picture book about an honest schoolboy

A long time ago in China there was a boy named Ping who loved flowers. Anything he planted burst into bloom.

The Emperor loved flowers too. When it was time to choose an heir, he gave a flower seed to each child in the kingdom. "Whoever can show me their best in a year's time," he proclaimed, "shall succeed me to the throne!"

Ping plants his seed and tends it every day. But month after month passes, and nothing grows. When spring comes, Ping must go to the Emperor with nothing but an empty pot.

Demi's exquisite art and beautifully simple text show how Ping's embarrassing failure is turned triumphant in this satisfying tale of honesty rewarded.

An IRA-CBC Children's Choice.
An American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists."

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In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

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Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

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