Customer Reviews

Maples in the Mist: Children's Poems from the Tang Dynasty

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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.

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?