The Chinese Wonder Book: A Classic Collection of Chinese Tales

by Norman Hinsdale Pitman, Li Chu Tang (Illustrator), Sylvia Li-Chun Lin (Foreword)

The Chinese Wonder Book contains some of the most beloved Chinese folktales, including "The Golden Beetle or Why the Dog Hates the Cat," "The Great Bell," "The Strange Tale of Doctor Dog" and "The Talking Fish." Originally published in 1919, this book has thrilled and amused children and adults for generations, and served as an accessible introduction to Chinese folklore for countless readers.

Included with these fifteen magical Chinese fairy tales are Li Chu Tang's glorious, full-color illustrations original to the book's first edition, making this book a historical treasure. A new foreword by Sylvia Lin pays homage to the magic of Chinese folktales and adds its own enchantment to this classic children's book. This endearing collection of Chinese fables is sure to bring as much joy to today's children as it did to their grandparents.

Genres: Classics, Fairy Tales, Short Stories, Mythology, Fiction

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1919

Reviews

[A.R. Jarvis · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a "Wonder Book" this volume was very bland. There were one or two stories that I somewhat enjoyed, while the rest I just sort of endured because they weren't bad enough to stop reading.

Themes include filial piety, being nice to beggars, Filial Piety, and...realistic-feeling dreams. Oh, also FILIAL PIETY. DID I MENTION THE FILIAL PIETY?

Because of subtle Euro-centrism and racism, and less-subtle concepts like multiple wives and selling children, this book is most suited to teens or older. Although it's so terribly dull I don't know why they'd read it.

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with any collection of short stories, I liked some and I didn't like some. Overall they were fun reads and an interesting look into ancient Chinese culture. I think my favorite story was probably the one about the 2 friends who find a lump of gold in the forest. It just made me happy.

I read this book for free on Project Gutenburg

[Mark Schlechty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many good stories.

This book was full out good stories about fairies, fish, fantasies and familial love . I enjoyed reading the stories.

[Kathy Chung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting stories. Some I have heard before but still it's good to read it again. Love the illustration too. Missed this type of picture.

[LudmilaM · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Loved it.

[Isadora Urbano · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5 ✅

Algumas histórias bem legais, como The Golden Beetle, The Nodding Tiger e The Princess Kwan-Yin, e outras nem tanto, mas vale a leitura pelas que são boas. :)

[Deb Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Am not sure if it's the translation style but I felt " disconnected" while reading the stories.

[Dzura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Akhirnya tamat juga baca kumcer rakyat dari cina ini :) entah mengapa suka banget. kebanyakan ceritanya fantasi dan bisa di kembangkan satu-satu, ngebayangi kumcernya di bikin stand alone. finally, pesan moral yang dibisa diambil ialah ketika kita mendapatkan musibah atau kebahagiaan senangtiasa lah berdoa kepada tuhan dan hanya kepada tuhan lah kita berdoa.

[Nova · Rating 3 out of 5]

15 short stories depicting some of the Chinese mythologies such as the goddess Kwan-yi, the Iron Rod, the fairy Old Boy, the Fox sprite and some of the good fortune brought by dragons and snakes to kind-hearted people.