Good Morning China

by Hu Yong Yi

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF CHINA. Playing, exercising, resting under a lotus the things happening in an ordinary park on an ordinary morning. Early morning, and a community is coming to life. Children are playing, an artist is painting, people are exercising and meditating. Each page in this lovely picure book presents a snap-shot, and a final foldout spread collects them all to give a panorama of daily life in China. Hu yong Yi's paintings are saturated with color and rich in life and feeling.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, China, Asia, International

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 13, 2007

Reviews

[Whirl Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books of the month, but not high on The Whirl Girl's list. It depicts the morning activities in a Chinese park, like exercising, painting, doing tai chi, and playing games. It has a distinctively Chinese feel but the idea of going to the park is universally familiar to kids. I liked the simplicity of it, and the delicate illustrations. But I think it wasn't quite bright or thrilling enough for The Whirl Girl. We did an activity where she had her figurine toys pretend to be in the park doing all of the activities (as we read page by page) and that was a big hit.

[Anna Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is incredibly simple but beautiful. My one-year-old seems captivated by it, and I like the introduction to Chinese culture. The last page holds a wonderful surprise, too. I recommend this book for babies to five year olds, although adults can appreciate it, too.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, if not a bit snoozy. There's a lot of discussion about China in my household, with my children's Pop Pop traveling there frequently, so this book caught my eye. It depicts people (of indeterminate age--are they children or adults?) engaging in various activities in a Chinese park. It raised a few good questions from my preschoolers about some of the less familiar sport (Tai Chi, badminton) but I can't say it was terrifically engaging, final page fold-out notwithstanding.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pictures of people in a park doing different activities. The last pages fold out and the whole park is shown.
Themes -- China, parks, morning

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daily life in China as seen by park activities for all ages.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

7 in the morning . . .

I . . . don't . . . think . . . so . . .

nope nope nope

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Calm and relaxing read. Mellow illustrations.

[Carolyn Jeziorski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, so my five-star review here is really just based on sentimentality. I do my long runs on weekend mornings here in Guangzhou. I run along a pedestrian pathway on a river. During my runs, I see everything depicted in this book—this book just makes me think of my runs. I love the outdoor morning activity here in China.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but boring, even for a kids' book.

[Victoria Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

As lush and bold as the "Shen Yun Performing Arts" dance performance I saw at the "Microsoft Theater" in April, the children's book, "Good Morning China" by Hu Young Yi is memorable in the same way for its lovely picture postcard view of life in a park in China during the beginning of the day. From early in the morning, and into the afternoon, the space teems with activity and life. Some visitors are actively involved with each other and some are silently doing their own thing alone.
What I most appreciated about the book is the way it exposes the reader, whether that's a teacher or parent reading to a child or group of children, or a child alone, to another culture and how they live, dress and play. I also like the way the book allows for a teacher to If I were reading to ask comprehensive questions about the characters in the book and how their lives compare and contrast with ours, then discuss and describe what a lotus pad, badminton, waltzing, tai chi, sword dancing, pushing hands, chess and shuttlecock are if the students don't know.
Another excellent part of the book, the magnificent illustrations created by Yi and the accompanying text, give it a sensitive appeal that would only get better with repeated reading. When I looked at this book for the 100th time I was amazed how I saw something different and inspiring each time I encountered it.

[Kaela Ewing · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Good Morning China" is considered a Quality Children's Book for Asian Culture. This book is beautiful and simplistic. The illustrations are soft and inviting. This book takes you through a park on a nice morning. As a reader, it sort of feels as if you are strolling through the park on a carriage, stopping for a minute at every event you encounter. We stop at a person resting by a lotus pond, people riding their bicycles, groups playing various games in the park, like chess, cards, and more. We enjoy people dancing with swords, exercising, and practicing tai chi. We also enjoy an artist drawing by a tree. The park represents community and togetherness, which like simplicity, is highly valued in Asian cultures. Characters and illustrations are accurate and represent Asian culture. The story is interesting and age-appropriate for children. Although this story does not include a rich, thick plot, it offers a look into the every day lives of Chinese people in a park.

[Tywanna Robb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Morning China By: Hu Yong Yi is a story book that depicts the morning life of the Chinese culture. It displays specific physical activities that are common throughout the Chinese culture.Each activity had its on page, but on the last page revealed that they were all doing it together. This text can be used to teach children about being a community being that classroom is like a mini community. It can also be used to teach children how to work with each other. It can also promote physical activity.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author & artist is from Hong Kong; she studied in the US but was born & lives in Hong Kong.

I love the softness of the illustrations.

I also appreciate the simpleness of the text -- short, but with many distinctive cultural elements: lotus pond, tai chi, clothing.

And are the really lots of people waltzing in the park in the morning in China? How delightful!

[Tina B · Rating 3 out of 5]

"china, playing in the park, simple story, great illustrations, fold-out in last page"

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, slow, specific, beautiful.

[Keeko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the illustrations and thoughts of this book. Very gentle, lovely, and cheerful. I came across it on the children's shelf at the library, and what a nice, lucky find.