The Ch'i-lin Purse: A Collection of Ancient Chinese Stories

by Linda Fang, Jeanne M. Lee (Illustrator)

Overview

A Storytelling World magazine award winner, a delightful collection for children as well as adults.

In turns funny, poignant, and wise, these nine lively stories are peopled with an array of unusual characters, including a young woman raised as a boy who is then faced with the complicated business of marriage; a carp-fish spirit who changes herself into a young woman for love's sake; a Miracle Doctor who can cure all illnesses except one; and a shopkeeper who learns the hard way the true meaning of justice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780374411893
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	09/30/1997
Edition description:	Sunburst ed.
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.65(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	790L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Linda Fang is a storyteller and educator who specializes in bringing Chinese tales to American audiences. She was instrumental in establishing Washington, D.C.'s Telling Moments Theater for live storytelling. Fang grew up in Shanghai, China, and now makes her home in the United States.

Jeanne M. Lee is the author and illustrator of many books, including The Song of Mu Lan and I Once Was a Monkey: Stories Buddha Told. She lives in Massachusetts.

Table of Contents

Author's Note

The Ch'i-Lin Purse
Dog Steals and Rooster Crows
The Two Miss Peonys
The Ho-Shih Jade
The Prime Minister and the General
The Clever Magistrate
Mr. Yeh's New Year
The Miracle Doctor
The Royal Bridegroom

Pronunciation Guide
Glossary
Sources

Editorial Reviews

Reading The Ch'i-lin Purse is like holding a wondrous jewel in the palm of your hand.” —Jay O'Callahan, storyteller

“Filled with warmth, kindness, and the true human spirit. Everyone will be touched by the characters of these stories.” —Voice of Youth Advocates

“A professional storyteller, Fang uses the tales she heard, read, and loved as a child in Shanghai. Now she has written down nine of those stories whose origins are legends, novels, and operas hundreds of years old. Dramatic, humorous, and touching by turns, the stories often concern difficulties overcome by characters who are kind or clever, or both...A fine, flavorful collection.” —Starred, Booklist

From the Publisher

PW found these nine tales derived from classic Chinese operas and novels (often involving several twists of fate or reversals of fortune) "nimbly told" with "strong ambiance." Ages 8-up. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Gr 4-7-A collection of 10 Chinese stories derived from the history of the Warring States Period (770-221 B.C.E.) and from operatic versions of popular tales. Retellings are vivid, lively, and read aloud well. Many have a moral, and all are entertaining; some, like the eponymous story, are quite moving. ``The Two Miss Peonys'' has appeared in its Sino-Vietnamese version in Lynette Vuong's The Golden Carp (Lothrop, 1993). A list of sources with Fang's commentary is appended, including admission of any changes-in all but one case minor-to the original material. A pronunciation guide and glossary appear in the back of the book. In the former, the author explains with specious reasoning her misguided decision to use the antiquated, inaccurate Wade-Giles transcription for Chinese names and terms; even on its own terms, this guide leaves lots unexplained. Also, defining Chinese terms in a glossary instead of in context only impedes the narrative flow. The black-and-white illustrations-one per selection-are graceful, depicting widely different epochs with amazing accuracy. Except for the aforementioned flaws, this is a charming collection.-John Philbrook, San Francisco Public Library

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