Cloud Weavers: Ancient Chinese Legends

Grade 4-6-Chinese legends are full of drama, fantasy, and high adventure, and at the same time they emphasize the importance of traditional values. This collection of almost two dozen stories includes all that, bringing together concise retelling of tales from China’s earliest periods that reflect the beliefs of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism; stories about historical and literary figures; and tales from literature. Although no specific sources are cited, each selection is introduced in a brief paragraph that gives relevant background information, such as dates and themes. Each tale includes one colorful and detailed advertising poster, all done by Chinese artists in the early part of the 20th century. These posters are fascinating in themselves because they open a window on the way ancient culture was pictured by the Chinese in the early part of the last century. Background information about the illustrations is included. (Amazon.com)