Explores various aspects of ancient Chinese culture, including art, government, societal structure, religion, and everyday life.
Age
Catalog sorted by age group
Weighing The Elephant (Folktale)
In a small Chinese village lives a baby elephant, Huan-huan. The evil Emperor issues an impossible puzzle: the villagers can save Huan-huan only if they can deduce how much it weighs. A child comes up with an ingenious, scientifically sound answer.
Terrible Eek
A father’s fear of the terrible leak ultimately saves him from a thief and wolf.
Belching Hill
An old Japanese woman with a talent for making rice dumplings uses her wits to escape from a cavern filled with ogres.
Fox Maiden, The
A young fox who uses magic to change herself into human form learns that being true to herself is the best way to live.
White Tiger, Blue Serpent
When his mother’s beautiful brocade is snatched away by a greedy goddess, a young Chinese boy faces many perils as he attempts to get it back.
The Cricket’s Cage: A Chinese Folk Tale
Retells a Chinese folktale in which a clever and kindly cricket is responsible for designing the tower buildings for Beijing’s “Forbidden City.”
The Ugly Duckling
An ugly duckling spends an unhappy year ostracized by the other animals before he grows into a beautiful swan.
The Steadfast Tin Soldier
One of Hans Christian Andersen’s most romantic tales, The Steadfast Tin Soldier tells the story of a one-legged tin soldier who suffers a terrible fate all for the love of a beautiful paper dancer. Cursed by a jealous goblin, the toy solider is sent flying out the window to the street below, where a perilous adventure carries him ever further from his love. But throughout his ordeal, the soldier remains sturdy and staunch on his one leg, ever true to his beloved little dancer.
The Ugly Duckling
An ugly duckling spends an unhappy year ostracized by the other animals before he grows into a beautiful swan.