Maples in the Mist: Children's Poems from the Tang Dynasty [Library Binding]

Jean Tseng (Illustrator), Mou-Sien Tseng (Illustrator), Minfong Ho (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1996 | Age Level: 8 and up

Chinese children have always learned to read by memorizing poetry, and the poems of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.) are widely accepted as the best classical poems in China's two-thousand-year literary history. "The supreme beauty of Tang Dynasty poetry is captured in lucid translations and charming brush paintings."--Nien Cheng, author of Life and Death in Shanghai.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3 Up?A beautiful anthology of 16 short, unrhymed poems written 1000 years ago in China. Although the poems Ho has chosen reflect timeless themes and her translations are fresh and informal, most are too introspective for a young Western audience. An attentive fourth-grader might relate to "On the Pond," in which two boys foolishly leave a trail betraying their mischief, or "Goose," a straightforward observation of a paddling goose, humorously illustrated. But the metaphoric images of a rainstorm en route to ancestors' gravesites, an empty boat tossed in a twilight storm, birds in flight against the vastness of time and space, and even homesickness ("How can a blade of young grass/ever repay the warmth of the spring sun?") seem a bit sophisticated for pre-teens. In her introduction, Ho admits she memorized these poems reluctantly in childhood, coming to appreciate them only years later. Even young children, however, will enjoy the illustrations that complement the lean, moody text. The Tsengs' watercolors are reminiscent of traditional T'ang brush-paintings. Stylized contours of huts and pagodas, birds, blossoms, and children in ancient dress are set in airy, expressive washes of landscape, spring or autumn foliage, and mountains floating in the mist. Chinese characters printed in the right and left margins of each page are offered, unfortunately, without explanation. The three-page appendix, "About the Poets," is a useful lead-in to further research on the 14 men and their work.?Karen L. MacDonald, Fairmount Public Library, Sandwich, MA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Library Binding
• Publisher: Lothrop Lee & Shepard (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688147232
• ISBN-13: 978-0688147235
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,197,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Simple Pleasure, January 20, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Maples in the Mist: Children's Poems From the Tang Dynasty (Hardcover)

When I tried to teach Chinese poetry to my American born children when they were kids, it was always a nostalgic trip for me but a bore for them. This past summer, my daughter came home from college, saw this book on our shelf, commented on its interesting looking cover and began reading it. I was secretly delighted to find that she couldn¡¦t put it down. She loved the simple poetries and the elegant illustrations. In fact, she loved it so much that she took it back to school with her. This, to me, speaks volumes for the book. I wish this book was available years ago, but it¡¦s better late than never. Can¡¦t wait for a follow up.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A children's book for adults, April 9, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Saratoga Springs, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maples in the Mist: Children's Poems from the Tang Dynasty (Library Binding)

This collection of Tang Dynasty poems richly illustrated will amuse children and educate adults. The short poems are translated lovingly and will easily find a spot in the readers heart. I used the following poem, one a many in the book, as a thank you to my mother on her birthday; Traveler's Song--- My loving mother, thread in hand, Mended the coat I have on now, Stitch by stitch, just before I left home, Thinking that I might be gone a long time, How can a blade of young grass Ever repay the warmth of the spring sun? And how can we thank you Minfong for bringing us this verse?