Professor Haiwang Yuan’s book, Princess Peacock: Tales from the Other Peoples of China (Libraries Unlimited, 2008), has been selected as one of the American Folklore Society Children’s Section 2009 Aesop Accolade Award recipients. Yuan serves as WKU Libraries Professor and Special Assistant to the Dean for Web & Emerging Technologies.
“This well-organized and richly documented volume is designed to give the American reader a fair view of China as a multi-ethic nation of diverse cultures…The contents of Princess Peacock provide extremely valuable material for the families of the many Chinese children adopted by Americans by introducing and reinforcing knowledge of their ethnic origins,” said the 2009 Aesop Award Committee.
congratulations! hopefully not the last book he wrote…
Where can I buy the book?
Some of Haiwang Yuan’s books are really awesome, haven’t bought this one yet. Is it really worth to buy this book? Any review I can find of this book? thnx
this information most important for me.
thanks
congratulations! He is wonderful. One of the few who can bring anything to life with words.
Thank you very much for your comment! The American Folklore Society-Children Folklore Section gives the following review:
This well-organized and richly documented volume is designed to give the American reader a fair view of China as a multi-ethic nation of diverse cultures. It offers a sample of one well-known tale from each of the fifty-five Chinese ethnic minorities, each one being introduced by a brief description of the group of origin in order to establish greater awareness of the cultural context. The volume begins with an overview of the Chinese ethnicities, presenting peoples, their languages, their dwellings, clothing, religions, customs, festivals, performing arts, fine arts, literature and storytelling. A variety of recipes for traditional dishes, games and crafts are described in a manner that encourages the reader to explore. The tales are divided into animal tales, moral tales, tales of deities, immortals, and legendary figures, magic tales, tales of love and romance, tales of creation and ethnic origins, tales of how thing came to be, and legends about places. While Liu Sanjie, A Fearless Folk Song Singer reflects a historical period when the dominant Han culture oppressed ethnic minorities, Forty Girls, Seven Brothers, and Princess Wencheng reveal times of ethnic harmony and peaceful coexistence. The title tale is a tale of love and magic that pulls the reader’s heartstrings regardless of one’s ethnic identity. A section of color photographs depict folk dress and customs. Black-and-white drawings are interspersed with the tales. The appendices, which are geared to the interests of academicians, include detailed information on the motifs and tale sources, as well as a list of Chinese national minorities. These are followed by a glossary, references, and an index.
Author Haiwang Yuan, a professor and the Web Site and Virtual Library Coordinator in the Department of Library Public Services at Western Kentucky University, is a native of China and an American citizen. Princess Peacock, Tales from the Other Peoples of China is intended as a companion to The Magic Lotus Lantern and Other Tales from the Han Chinese (2006), both World Folklore Series anthologies. In these fine books, Professor Yuan brings a highly informed outlook to a broad readership. He displays his devotion to his own cultural heritage and his commitment to scholarship, in a manner that is accessible, informative and intelligent. The tales in this anthology have been selected for their suitability for young readers, but may be enjoyed by the culturally inquisitive reader, young and old alike. The contents of Princess Peacock provide extremely valuable material for the families of the many Chinese children adopted by Americans by introducing and reinforcing knowledge of their ethnic origins. This collection of tales is designed to entice readers to explore a civilization that is ancient, mystic, profound and most importantly, incredibly diverse.
The review can be found at the American Folklore Society’s web site: http://www.afsnet.org/sections/children/
You may buy it online from amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com. You can also ask Barnes & Noble to order a copy for you if they don’t have it in the store.
Will check it out
The trend of young and mid age couples going to China and South East Asia in general for child adoption is becoming very popular.
I haven’t read Haiwang Yuan’s book yet, but based on my own experience and from news, this trend also triggered another negative side – kid napping of kids to sell them back to desperate couple in black market who can not obtain a child through legitimate road.
Just some terrible things.
Great informative post…
Great information. Thanks.
I read this book, very intresting. Recomand it!
There are far to few good children’s books now. I hope you publish more.
This book was amazing. If you haven’t read it yet, do it now!
Thanks:)
That is very good comment you shared.Thank you so much that for you shared those things with us.Im wishing you to carry on with ur achivments.All the best.
This is a wonderful opportunity for the reader to have a view of China as a multi-ethic nation with a diverse culture. Thank you for sharing. This is a great book.
We need more great books like this — thank you for putting out the effort. Children need to be encouraged to read and get away from TV and video games. It there were more books like this it might be easier to accomplish this.
I will definitely be buying this book for my children. Thank you!
What a wonderful story! Not just for Chinese children, a great read for all!
Professor Haiwang Yuan’s book, Princess Peacock is a very well written and a contribution to the literary field. Thank you for the post.
It is available both on the Barnes & Noble and Amazon Web sites. Or if you live in or near Bowling Green, KY, then you can come to the Southern Kentucky Book Fest. Thanks!
Glad to see this. I’ve never read it. Our daughter is reading it though, and seems to really be enjoying it (for a change!).
Glad to here it. Thank you and you daughter for being interested in the book!
I’am from Italy, how can I get this book?
With summer comes all things hot and fiery. The temperature rises, many nights are spent around the bonfire and we await the Fourth of July fireworks. Maybe we even set off some of our own. The time has come to fire up those grills and experience the greatness that comes with rolling up your sleeves and throwing some burgers on the coals.
Unfortunately I can’t find Amozon.com in Italy, it is only in England, France, and Germany. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/gateway-eu/280-5796609-0698820. Not sure if you can purchase it from any of them. Thanks!
Very informative. Thank you for sharing it
The review can be found at the American Folklore Society’s web site: http://www.afsnet.org/sections/children/
Looks like a great book. I will have to check it out. Thank you for posting about it!
Wonderful book! There is such a lack of quality children’s books especially ones that expose them to other cultures. Thank you for your efforts.
What a good publication
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Nice my children will no doubt be interested.
China is very diverse in the lesser popular regions especially along the south and southwestern borders. I would like to visit the islands around Macau.
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