This is Hong Kong

This is...

by Miroslav Sasek

Like the other Sasek classics, this is a facsimile edition of the original book. The brilliant, vibrant illustrations have been meticulously preserved, remaining true to his vision more than 40 years later. Facts have been updated for the 21st-century, appearing on a "This is . . . Today" page at the back of the book. These charming illustrations, coupled with Sasek's witty, playful narrative, make for a perfect souvenir that will delight both children and their parents, many of whom will remember the series from their own childhoods. This is Hong Kong, first published in 1965, captures the enchantment and the contrasts of Hong Kong in the sixties. Roaring jets bring in the tourists; bamboo rickshaws taxi them through exotic streets fragrant with incense, roasting chestnuts, and honey-glazed Peking duck. Sasek shows you the sweeping panorama of gleaming Kowloon Bay framed by misty mountain ridges, then moves in for close-ups of laborers and hawkers, refugees from the mainland, and sailors of flame-red junks, and the strange "water people" who, it is said, never set foot on dry land.

Genres: Picture Books, Travel, Childrens, Nonfiction, Geography, History, Art

60 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Miroslav Sasek (born Miroslav Šašek) (1916-1980) was an author and illustrator from the Czech Republic. He is best known for a series of books for children titled This Is...

Reviews

[Mizuki]

I learned This is Hong Kong is author Miroslav Sasek only book on an Asia city, and he spent 3 or 4 months living/traveling in the cities he planned to write about to get familiar with the scenes and its people.

The images in this 60+ pages book is endearing, it described the old Hong Kong mostly from the 1950s and the 1960s, the Hong Kong that my grandparents and my parents lived in and experienced. It also brings me a lot of nostalgic feeling, for the bits and pieces of the old-schooled, a hybrid between the Western and Eastern cultures Hong Kong which I had seen in my childhood.

I will keep my eyes on more Mr. Sasek's books.

[Wsclai · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very nostalgic children book about Hong Kong. The illustration shows Hong Kong in the 50's and they definitely stir up our collective memory of Hong Kong in the past. Simply love it.

[Mehsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Na het prachtige boek over San Francisco kon ik het niet laten om ook de rest bij de bibliotheek te reserveren. Ik wilde wel wat meer op reis met deze illustrator. Want hij kan, sorry kon, echt prachtig tekenen. Je komt echt op de mooiste plaatsen en het is net alsof je daar bent. We zien pekingeend worden gebakken, we zien mensen op straat lopen, we zien prachtige parken en havens. En wow. Hong Kong in 1965 was mooi! Ik heb zeker van mijn reis genoten door Hong Kong.
ALLEEN, en hier trek ik toch punten voor af. De vertaling. Ik vond het al niet altijd lekker lopen en mijn man keek ook vreemd op (hij keek mee) bij sommige punten. Ik heb uiteindelijk online wat stukken van het boek in het Engels gevonden. EN er zijn fouten gemaakt in van miles naar kms te gaan, 50 square miles naar km square is niet 80 km dat is 129, dan waren er nog meer onwaarheden en onzinstukjes (236 eilanden niet 235, hoe komt ze op 24k boten per dag als het origineel het heeft over 220k per JAAR), het schrift wordt verkeerd beschreven, er zijn spellingsfouten, en als ik zo de Engelse versie ziet.. heeft de vertaalster ook veel plezier gehad met allerlei dingen bedenken die DE ORIGINELE niet eens had. Ook mooi dat de wat is veranderd aan het einde ook veelal is aangepast en dat er dingen zijn verwijderd en nieuw zijn toegevoegd. Echt heel heel jammer. Ik snap dat je misschien wat dingen toevoegd, maar zorg dan dat het nog wel klopt en ook dat het waar is. Nu geef je gewoon verkeerde informatie en dat is heel jammer voor een non-fictie boek.
Ik ga nog wel de andere boeken lezen, maar tja, hopelijk zijn die beter vertaald, maar gegeven dat deze en het andere boek zoveel issues hebben... ben ik huiverig. Ach gelukkig is de art prachtig.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are not many children's books about Hong Kong. The illustrations in this one are wonderful.

Like all the books in this series, the text is dry and outdated. My son and I looked at the pictures and talked about them.

I don't care for the illustration of the blue-eyed sailors staring at the two attractive Chinese women. It is a little inappropriate for a kids' book.

[Robert Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps my favorite of all of Miroslav Saseks' "This is..." books. Rich in color and imagery, but dated tour of Hong Kong. I actually like that it is dated, as it gives a sort of nostalgic feel to the book, sort of a tour through time and a look at a bygone place. As with all new editions, the text and illustration are not updated, but rather an appendix of updates in the back of the book.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I owned this book when I was younger and loved it. Sasek obviously spent time in Hong Kong developing the illustrations for this book. Recently Jason bought it for me again (my old copy was *too* loved) and I noticed they updated some of the information (like how Hong Kong is now part of China... don't get me started into the politics).

I'm hoping to buy some of Sasek's other travel books since they've started recently republishing them one at a time.

[Tara Garner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informational. I loved this book! Excellent illustrations. The author has a very subtle, witty sense of humor and I really enjoyed reading this and learning more about Hong Kong. Would be great for use in a multi-cultural unit.

[ansvarcova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Má cenu ještě něco psát? Všechny knihy z edice "This is..." jsou jednoduše pastvou pro oči, krása krása krása! <3

[Hollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic storybook filled with Hong Kong's colonial history and culture, colourful artwork (by the author) and a great smattering of the people, places and things that make up what Hong Kong once was and what it still is today - a special place with a storied history.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully designed series. Reissued edition appended with updated information.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book! Make me almost... (yes almost) want to go to Hong Hong. Not just the L O N G flight but I would be the tallest person there! Temping... oh so tempting! Another fun one!!!

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a travel book about Hong Kong.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosh these books are wonderful. It is now my mission to read all of them.

[Paul Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dated but very detailed illustrations.

[The.End.Notes 讀筆 · Rating 5 out of 5]

看著這本畫冊有很多的感覺 — 懷念、熟悉、感動、難過、驕傲、不捨、心痛….

一個捷克作家畫筆下60年代的香港….
很令人動容。

書中最後兩頁，很想與大家分享。

//這就是香 港。旅遊書-上稱她為「東方之珠」：中文所謂「香港」，宇面之意，即「芬芳之海港」。她那深刻之美態與風貌，她那人文風景之神韻，超脫語言，已非筆墨所能形容。

心存目識，念念不忘。//

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the whimsical illustrations. The information contained is excellent too.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series (more so than my kids). I'm sure I'll buy a few.