Shen of The Sea : Chinese Stories for Children [Library Binding]

Arthur Bowie Chrisman (Author), Else Hasselriis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

A series of fascinating Chinese stories, strong in humor and rich in Chinese wisdom, in which the author has caught admirably the spirit of Chinese life and thought.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Library Binding: 221 pages
• Publisher: E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc. (October 30, 1968)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525392440
• ISBN-13: 978-0525392446
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,075,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous to Read Aloud, April 1, 2010

By 

Nicola Manning (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shen of The Sea : Chinese Stories for Children (Library Binding)

Reason for Reading: Read aloud to my 9yo son. We always have a book of folktales, fairy tales, myths, etc. on the go, reading one story every school day.

Comments: I have read this book once before to myself some time ago, as an adult, and came away with the impression that it was OK (maybe 3 stars) but now I think I've found out the problem with that first reading. This book is meant to be read aloud! The stories are told in a storyteller voice that just rolls of the tongue when reading out loud and brings them gloriously to life. The stories are hilarious and I can't say that my ds or I didn't like even a single one the tales. I'm not convinced these are traditional Chinese stories (I've read a lot of folktales in my life and never heard any of these before) but would guess that Chrisman wrote them himself based on the style of Chinese tales. The tales often rely on repetition, some are origin stories and they cover a wide spectrum of characters from peasants to princesses and Kings. A number of the stories are about someone who is not too bright or is incredibly lazy or stubborn. While the great majority of tales are folktales a few pass over into fairytale territory with the appearance of a few dragons and other Chinese mythical creatures. Every single time this book came out my son's face lit up, he thoroughly enjoyed it! I also had a ton of fun reading it. This book has a habit of getting mixed reviews and to those who give it low ratings, I ask you to read aloud a couple of stories to a child or group of children. Then see if you don't change your mind! I've found in my 21 years as a mother that some children's books just beg to be read aloud and don't do the trick when read silently. The only thing I'm not too keen on are the silhouette illustrations. Yes, they add to the ethnicity of the book but detailed drawings would have been more fun to look at.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A WONDERFUL BOOK, November 30, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Shen of The Sea : Chinese Stories for Children (Library Binding)

Do you like chinense stories? IF the answer is yes then you will enjoy this stupendous book.I personly love this book. Shen of the sea is an exiting collection of stories you will read over and over agian. You won't put this book down for a second. with stories like the rain daughter and shen of the sea you will enjoy every moment.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful collection of folk tales., August 3, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Shen of The Sea : Chinese Stories for Children (Library Binding)

Shen of the Sea is a collection of well-written and great folktales. I'm a folk tale lover myself, so I loved this book. This one's very deserving of the Newbery Medal, and I'm glad it's still in print. Arthur Bowie Chrisman is a very good author. I love the humor in the stories and the wisdom of some of their themes. I recommend it to folk tale lovers everywhere!