(From the pen of the chief editor Mei Zihan) Although I am Chinese, as a child I seldom heard adults tell stories of Chinese ancestry or tradition. Stories of our heritage, are important us. Folk tales teach and give children identity – yet, there were barely any stories in my heart.
Later, even after becoming a writer, and later a professor, I still experienced an emptiness. That is why I think children should have traditional stories as part of their healthy upbringing; stories about ancient China, of inspiration and magic, beauty, bravery, kindness and poetry, rich Chinese ideas, full of intelligence. This ideal also applies to children worldwide.
This four book series is evidence of our rich culture. Without doubt, they are equal to the beautiful work of the Brothers Grimm, just as inspiring, and with as much colour, as much fun, that will often leave the child in awe.
Readers will learn about China and its long and varied history; about its multi ethnic people, its traditions, about the foods they eat, their clothes and architecture. Perhaps just as important, they will learn about our etiquette and that respect for another, which is, and has always been, the cornerstone of the Chinese way.
Each folk/fairy tale is of a different nation within the great land of China. So readers will learn about that land, and those people, about their customs and traditions, their suspicions, heroes and villains.
