A collection of short poems written over 1000 years ago by such poets of the Tang Dynasty as Li Po, Yin Luan, and Du Mu.
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The Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.) is often referred to as the Golden Age of China. Poems from that era are widely considered the finest classical poems in China's 2000 year history. Translator Minfong Ho has assembled a collection of simple poems which were traditionally taught to children and will certainly give young readers images to ponder, as in Moon: When I was little/I thought the moon was a white jade plate,/Or maybe a mirror in Heaven/Flying through the blue clouds. Exquisite illustrations by Jean and Mou-sien Tseng not only illuminate the poems but serve as a lovely introduction to another culture's history. For all ages.
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.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An exquisite book for young and old alike,
This review is from: Maples in the Mist: Poems for Children from the Tang Dynasty (Hardcover)
This is an exquisite book. As a young child growing up in America I was also taught some of these famous Tang Dynasty poems by my father. Though I memorized them, I could not fully appreciate their meanings till I was much older. It is a challenging endeavor to teach a child to appreciate poetry, let alone Chinese poetry. The poems in this book are beautifully translated. The translations are accurate, yet they still retain much of the lyricism and cadence of the original Chinese. I think this book is suitable for many levels. Young children will enjoy the simple imagery and the beautiful illustrations, which have all the classical qualities of traditional brush paintings but are more stylized. An older child may be able to more deeply appreciate the subtle nuances of the poems. An adult would most certainly enjoy both. Advanced students of Chinese will enjoy deciphering the Chinese characters on the margins of the pages and comparing them to the author's own translations.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply Charming,
By A Customer
This review is from: Maples in the Mist: Poems for Children from the Tang Dynasty (Hardcover)
There are pictures in the poetry, and poetry in the pictures. Of course the poems are undoubtedly classic Tang poems, often time referred to as "Thousand Years Poems" because they are so beloved by the Chinese people. I read the Chinese version of the poems and the English version; the translation is very well done. The poems are gentle and very pleasant to read, especially for those children who can't sleep without a story. I enjoyed this book very much; brought back fond memories of the time I was in preschool reciting the poems to the teacher.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read this to your children!,
By
This review is from: Maples in the Mist: Poems for Children from the Tang Dynasty (Hardcover)
My almost three year old calls this her "Very Special Book" and asks me to read it to her at bedtime. She ties the poems together, often imagining that the man in the river boat is the son of the mother who mended the coat (two different poems in the book). While we are not of Chinese heritage, we love the softness and serenity of this book. I didn't think she would be as responsive to this book as she is, and it is wonderful to listen to her make up continuations of events unfolding in the poems. It is perfect for her to fall asleep thinking of climbing up mountains and seeing the world for a thousand miles.I highly recommend parents read this book to very young children, especially after busy hectic days, it's as calming and soothing as a warm bath! The illustrations are as beautiful as the words.
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