A short background note
About the qin and the saying that inspired the story, written for grown-ups reading along.
Willow Lane Story Club / A Song for Buffalo
WILLOW LANE STORY CLUB · A MUSICAL PICTURE BOOK
A Song for Buffalo
Lin has a tune she loves. Buffalo has a tune of his own. A gentle musical story about listening, inspired by the old saying about playing the qin to an ox.
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THE STORY
About the book
Lin has a tune she loves, and she is sure Buffalo will love it too. But Buffalo has a tune of his own. Playing together may take a little space between the notes.
It all leads to Mina’s Willow Lane Story Club concert.
Inspired by the Chinese saying about playing the qin (a traditional zither) to an ox, the book turns an old joke about “an audience that doesn’t understand” into a warm story about listening to each other.
AT THE END OF THE BOOK
Something to try together.
An optional sound-making activity
A simple way for children to make, share and listen to their own sounds after reading.
FORMATS & PRICES
A Song for Buffalo
Recommended for ages 5–8. Read aloud with younger children; confident early readers can enjoy it on their own.
- Kindle eBookRead on Kindle devices and the free Kindle app$4.99Buy on Amazon
- PaperbackPrinted picture book, shipped by Amazon$12.99Buy on Amazon
Part of the Willow Lane Story Club
The Willow Lane Story Club books are short picture books in which friends on Willow Lane share stories that grow from classic Chinese sayings and fables. Each one stands on its own, so you can start anywhere.
Also in the series: Frog and the Unfamiliar Leaf. See all Willow Lane Story Club books.
Zongmeng Huang
Zongmeng Huang writes the Willow Lane Story Club picture books, gentle stories for young readers that grow from classic Chinese sayings and fables. Each book ends with a short background note and a simple activity to try at home or in class. The illustrations include AI-assisted artwork, prepared and edited for each book.
Questions about the books? Contact hzm3836@gmail.com.