Chinese Children's Favorite Stories [Hardcover]

Mingmei Yip (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Children's Favorite Stories

This volume of beloved Chinese stories contains a delightful selection from the rich store of Chinese folklore and legend. Discover the many delightful animal characters as well as Chang-E, the famous Eight Immortals, and Guan Yin, goddess of compassion. Retold for an international audience, the beautifully illustrated stories will give children aged six to ten in other countries a glimpse into both the tradition and culture of China.

Other titles in the series include Japanese Children's Favorite Stories: Books One and Two , Balinese Children's Favorite Stories, Filipino Children's Favorite Stories, and Singapore Children's Favorite Stories. Korean Children's Favorite Stories, andFavorite Children's Stories from China and Tibet.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2–A collection of 13 traditional "thousand-year-old" stories. In her introduction, Yip fondly acknowledges her father's role as family storyteller as the inspiration for this book. Some stories will be familiar, such as "The Mouse Bride," though this version is a little different from Lida Dijkstra's Little Mouse (Front St, 2004) and Ed Young's Mouse Match (Harcourt, 1997). Other selections include traditional Chinese elements such as dragons and the mischievous monkey king. Like fables, these tales have morsels of wisdom to impart, and almost all have a close connection with the natural world. Explanations of cultural elements are nicely incorporated into the text, such as the qin, a musical instrument. Yip's writing is clear and accessible to children, and the bright pastel illustrations are appealing. An attractive addition for larger collections.–Robin L. Gibson, formerly at Perry County District Library, New Lexington, OH

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5, younger for reading aloud. These 13 stories feature talking animals, a ghost catcher, a trickster fox, the River Dragon King, and the mischievous monkey Wu Kong, as well as cowherds, scholars, musicians, and emperors. Some tales have morals; others explain customs or traditions. Most are familiar, but no sources are cited other than the author's storytelling father. The art has a traditional Chinese look, with conventional landscapes, animals, and roly-poly, cherubic children. A small ghost peeks out from the binding after one ghost story. Storytellers may prefer other collections of Chinese folklore, but children will be drawn by the abundant colorful illustrations and the short, straightforward retellings. Linda Perkins
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing; Hardcover with Jacket edition (January 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804835896
• ISBN-13: 978-0804835893
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 9.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Multicultural
  • #19 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Explore the World > Asia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something I'd want to have for my own collection, August 17, 2007

By 

Jennifer J. Timmons "womanwarrior007" (Princess Anne, MD, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chinese Children's Favorite Stories (Hardcover)

Mingmei Yip is an excellent writer--very engaging. And her illustrations are very colorful and eye-catching as well. I was looking for books to introduce Chinese culture to my young nieces, nephews, and cousins, and I can definitely recommend this one. I couldn't put it down myself, late one night! I had checked out a slew of books from the library, but only some met my criteria of excellent writing and good pictures. Some had one or the other: this one had BOTH. I don't give anything I wouldn't want myself...I sure wish I had this when I was growing up! Adults can enjoy this, too.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My 7 year-old daughter likes this book, April 10, 2007

By 

M. Welenson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chinese Children's Favorite Stories (Hardcover)

We have been reading a different story from the book each night. They are a good legnth for bedtime. My daughter is adopted from China and is usually not that receptive to reading books with Chinese subject matter, but she loves this book. All of the stories are new to us, too. The pictures are colorful and nicely detailed.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Armies of memories march across my mind, October 15, 2005

By 

Lin Fong-O'Neill "Author of Tiger! Tiger! Tai... (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chinese Children's Favorite Stories (Hardcover)

These beautifully told and illustrated stories brought me back to my bedside at my childhood. My parents had told me similar tales of bravery, honors and resilience. Not only those lessons has guided me through life, I taught my child the same values. Children and adults will enjoy this book.