Customer Reviews

Adventures of the Treasure Fleet: China Discovers the World

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This beautifully illustrated and written book opens American children's eyes to a fascinating epoch in Chinese history--the great sailing of the "Treasure Fleet" on its several voyages all through Southeast Asia, India, the eastern coast of Africa, and all the way to the Red Sea. Not only does it open a window onto China's rich history, it also provides an excellent geography lesson (thanks to some beautiful maps). Adults will enjoy reading it as well, especially since a "grown-up" history of these voyages is provided at the bottom of the pages. A superb effort!

This gorgeous book is a feast for the mind as well as the senses, opening up a little-known (to Americans) period in the history of China. Ann Bowler takes us sailing through the past with a true story so exotic -- Ships big as football fields! Gold! Jewels! Pirates and warriors! -- that it is hard to beieve it is real. Adults as well as children will be enthralled, as we were, with this wonderful and fact-filled journey to ancient times. It is on my gift list for young and old.

ADVENTURES OF THE TREASURE FLEET is much more than a picture book. It is a chapter in world history--85 years before Columbus--that is rarely told. How have we missed the 6'tall Admiral Zheng He's incredible voyages in 300 huge Chinese ships, each the size of football fields? And pirates too! Ann Martin Bowler's detailed research and Lak-Khee Ty-Auduoard's wonderful art have made history an exciting adventure!

If you've dreamed of sailing in a lovely wooden ship around the world and exploring strange new land, be advised one emperor of early China dreamed of just such adventure - and achieved it! Years before European ships rounded the tip of Africa. "Adventures of the Treasure Fleet: China Discovers the World" is a picturebook recounting the true story of Admiral Zheng, who sailed on seven far-reaching expeditions five hundred years ago, at the behest of the Chinese emperor. Zheng's exploits fighting pirates, discovering new lands, and captaining the legendary "Treasure Fleet" make for a rousing adventure. Admiral Zheng He and his fleet of 'treasure ships' embarked on 7 different expeditions that sailed further than any thought possible - and continued the journey for over 28 years. Finely drawn and colorful pencil drawings by Singaporean artist Lak-Khee Tay-Audouard illustrate this amazing story, told in narrative format with additional historical facts mentioned at length on the bottoms of the pages. Highly recommended for public and children's library collections.

This beautiful, engaging book delighted my 6th grade history students! The art work is detailed and gorgeous. There are 2 stories told here. One is historical fiction. It tells of the adventures of the Chinese Admiral who set out to explore for his emperor. The bottom boarder of each page contains the historical information related to each fictional page.

My students enjoyed spening time examining the beautiful, detailed artwork on each page.

The artwork alone would hold a younger child's attention as the story was read aloud by a parent or teacher.

What did I love most about this book? It inspired my students to ask questions, make connections and have conversations about ancient history!

This is a treasure of a book, with lively text and illustrations geared to pull the young reader into the world of yesteryear and many of its ancient cultures. In 1405, Admiral Zheng He led his fleet to an amazing number of ports around the world, creating trading routes and opening opportunities for modern commerce. Blended in are explanations of China's early inventions, boat building, the magnetic compass, navigation techniques, how to create diplomatic bonds with strangers, what was traded and how global trade developed at the hands of the Chinese and their partners, and more.

Bowler's roots as a teacher are on display. The reader is seamlessly transported into an ancient world, and made to think about how incredible these accomplishments must have felt to people without the modern conveniences we all take for granted. How to communicate among all the ships, navigate stormy waters, fight off pirates, and make friends with strangers in a language you do not share? Bowler entices her readers to think about how amazing all these accomplishments were.

Intricately detailed art work helps the reader visualize every day life, as well as different cultural characteristics of Africa, India, Siam (now Thailand), what we now call the Middle East, and of course, China. The artist shows homes, dress, animals, musical instruments, dinnerware and vases, food, plants, places of worship, boats, traded goods of different countries, and much more. The map at the end of the book helps the readers grasp the magnitude of the 35,000 miles of oceans traveled.

This book tells the story of many fantastic voyages of a visionary explorer in a way that should catch and hold the attention of the reader. What a terrific way to introduce an important piece of our global history and culture to primary and secondary school readers - as well as their parents!

Readers of Ann Bowler's Gecko's Complaint who have longed for more of her work will not be disappointed by Adventures of the Treasure Fleet, historical fiction based on a true story of fifteenth-century China. Another beautifully illustrated book for children, Adventures of the Treasure Fleet introduces a piece of history many do not know.

Bowler tells the story on two levels. The children's story, accompanied by Tay-Audouard's gently imaginative pencil drawings, is a fictionalized account of the historic events that are detailed at the bottom of every two-page spread. Bowler has taken the seven voyages that the Treasure Fleet made and combined them into one story, abundant with adventure, exotic locales, and colorful characters.

At a time when it seems that every piece of junky merchandise is imported from China, it's interesting to learn of the fine porcelains and silks that Emperor Zhu Di (third ruler of the Ming Dynasty) loaded on westbound ships to be delivered to rulers of other lands and to be used in trade. In return, he received precious metals, gems, spices, and other treasures.

Bowler fills the pages with interesting facts about the real life Treasure Fleet, which was in operation for 28 years. In all, 317 ships were built; they visited over thirty countries, and traveled more than 35,000 miles under the admiralty of Zheng He. The first sailing was in the autumn of 1405, 87 years before Columbus sailed to the New World.

With 27,000 men aboard the ships, Admiral Zheng He's venture comprised the largest navy assembled until World War II--more than 500 years later. Crews were made up of the expected soldiers and sailors, but also included "doctors, scribes, shipbuilders, priests, cooks, and diplomats."

When the ships arrived at various ports, they were not always welcomed with open arms. However, once leaders saw the impressive gifts with which they were presented, they became much friendlier. One interesting--and exciting--incident occurred when Admiral Zheng He led an attack against pirates who terrorized the seas near the trading port of Malacca. The technically advanced Chinese fought with weapons the rest of the world had never seen, and were victorious. This victory led to prosperity for Malacca; it became the largest city in the region.

Pirate battles and hostile greetings are but a few of the many thrilling stories told in Adventures of the Treasure Fleet. It transports the reader to a dream world that actually existed, and painlessly serves up history lessons that are eagerly digested.

Bottom Line: Would I buy Adventures of the Treasure Fleet? Yes. The story is wonderful and the illustrations purchase it a premier spot on the coffee table.