Synopsis
Presents legends and tales from China, including ancient folktales, stories that reflect Chinese traditions and virtues, historical tales, and selections from literature.
Reviews
Grade 4-6-Chinese legends are full of drama, fantasy, and high adventure, and at the same time they emphasize the importance of traditional values. This collection of almost two dozen stories includes all that, bringing together concise retellings of tales from China's earliest periods that reflect the beliefs of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism; stories about historical and literary figures; and tales from literature. Although no specific sources are cited, each selection is introduced in a brief paragraph that gives relevant background information, such as dates and themes. Each tale includes one colorful and detailed advertising poster, all done by Chinese artists in the early part of the 20th century. These posters are fascinating in themselves because they open a window on the way ancient culture was pictured by the Chinese in the early part of the last century. Background information about the illustrations is included. While many of the tales are readily available in books like Shelley Fu's Ho Yi the Archer and Other Classic Chinese Tales (Linnet, 2001) and Tao T. Liu Sanders's Dragons, Gods and Spirits from Chinese Mythology (Peter Bedrick, 1994), others, such as the Confucian stories and those about most of the historical figures, are harder to find in a version that is accessible to young readers. Because of its vibrant posters and selection of stories, this handsome volume will be a welcome addition to many collections.
Barbara Scotto, Michael Driscoll School, Brookline, MA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Gr. 2-6. This collection of 23 Chinese stories provides a showcase for some remarkable pieces of Chinese calendar art and advertising posters from the 1920s and 1930s. Organized into four sections, the tales represent ancient legends, traditions and virtues, stories from history, and selections from literature. Prefaces provide cultural insight for some stories, and the brisk retellings weave important background unobtrusively into the narrative. Each story is accompanied by a full-page illustration. The authors "consulted a variety of sources in Chinese and English," but none of these story sources are listed. An appended note, however, explains the fascinating history of the reproductions and gives full citations. A time line of Chinese history and brief explanation of the Chinese calendar are included, but there is no pronunciation guide. Libraries may have better retellings of Chinese stories, but the extraordinary combination of art and story in this volume comprises a unique package. Linda Perkins
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