The Case of Chen Shimei (My Favorite Peking Opera Picture Books)

If you are looking for a cultural story of ancient China, this fun and fascinating Peking Opera picture book can be a great start. The book uses adorable chibi-style characters that will stimulate your artistic imagination: allow yourself to be taken in by the characters’ colorful makeup, costume, and dialogue and to be immersed in this classical living art. This is definitely the best introductory Peking Opera book for kids!

Advised and with a preface by the famous Peking Opera actor Ni Maocai, this picture book introduces the archetypal Peking Opera play— The Case of Chen Shimei. Chen Shimei, a young scholar, falls in love with a wealthy girl named Qin Xianglian and marries her. However, after becoming a high-ranking official, Chen Shimei abandons his loyal wife and marries a princess. Qin Xianglian endures countless hardships and injustices while trying to seek justice. This opera is a poignant tale that explores love, betrayal, and the pursuit of justice.

Ni Maocai is a highly accomplished Gao-school Peking Opera actor, who has received many prestigious awards. Currently, he serves as the President of the Jilin Provincial Opera Theater, a member of the Chinese Dramatists Association, Vice Chairman of the Jilin Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Chairman of the Jilin Provincial Dramatists Association, Furthermore, he is an excellent expert in the Ministry of Culture and an advanced worker in the National Cultural and Tourism system. Pangbudun’ er, whose real name is Shi Junling, is a professional illustrator and comic artist. She likes living a simple life and dreams of returning to her childhood. She loves traditional Chinese culture and has created many Peking Opera characters in the chibi style. Her series A Bite of Peking Opera, done in a mix-and-match style, is very popular online. Her published works include Wanna Hear Some Peking Opera, First Acquaintance with Peking Opera: Sheng, Dan, Jing, Chou, and Show’ s On, all related to Peking Opera.