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The Dragon Lover and Other Chinese Proverbs

Written and Illustrated by Yong-Shen Xuan
$7.95, Paperback, 32 pages
English/Chinese Text
All Ages
ISBN-10: 1885008317
ISBN-13: 9781885008312

Aesop may be the most well-known teller of animal fables, but the Chinese people have been featuring animals in their proverb stories for centuries. Each profound yet simple saying has a story behind it, and each of the five stories collected here feature animals that help readers shed light on the truths of human nature. From the lazy farmer who hopes his food will come to him to the Sheriff who claims to love dragons only to hide his own fear, these proverbs are used in everyday Chinese life to illustrate moments of humor or clarity in our actions.

Intricately and delicately rendered paper-cut masterpieces illustrate each proverb with vibrant and expressive hues, while the stories are printed in both English and Chinese. Every reader, young or old, can appreciate the meticulously detailed artwork and gentle humor that makes each story both poignant and profound.

Author and Illustrator Yongshen Xuan, a native of Shanghai, China, began his interest in the Chinese tradition of the delicate and sometimes tedious paper-cut technique at a very young age. He studied art at several prestigious institutes, including the Central Arts and Crafts University in Beijing. In 1990 Xuan moved to Regina, Saskatchewan, and later settled in Windsor, Ontario. His other children’s books include D is for Dragon Dance and The Story of Chopsticks.

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Dragons! 3-Book Set

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The Day the Dragon Danced
The Dragon Lover
Dragonsong

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School Library Journal

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The Dragon Lover: And Other Chinese Proverbs by Yong-Sheng Xuan reviewed by School Library Journal:

"Images constructed of cut paper and collage embellish the artist's bilingual versions of stories connected with five familiar Chinese sayings. The sayings teach various lessons. A lazy farmer starves while idly waiting for good luck to repeat itself. A musician learns to play what is appropriate to his audience. A crane and clam engage in a battle of wills that both lose. An old horse, using its long memory, leads a general's army home. A man's professed love of dragons reveals itself to be deep-rooted fear. The proverbs mentioned in the title are printed only in Chinese. The English text does not translate them as short, pithy sayings, but instead amplifies each well-known proverb with stories that read like fables. Bilingual source notes referring to specific works of Chinese literature are appended. Xuan provides modern adaptations of traditional Chinese paper cuts that are striking."

Multicultural Review

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The Dragon Lover: And Other Chinese Proverbs by Yong-Sheng Xuan has been reviewed in Multicultural Review:

"Collections of proverbs that offer insight into the life force of another culture are not a new idea. Recently, quite a number of picture books have appeared featuring a small handful of proverbs with lavish illustrations as the main attraction.

Carefully documented from ancient sources. The Dragon Lover contains five little stories, each of which explains a common proverb or saying. A lazy farmer sees a rabbit happen to kill itself running into a stump, and he spends the rest of his time waiting for another unlucky rabbit. A musician realizes that he must adapt his music to his audience. A quarreling pair ends by both losing the game. An old horse proves useful in his wisdom. A man infatuated with dragons proves afraid of the actual item.

The attractive and unusual illustrations are actually paper cuts, enlivened with color and sometimes placed against a textured background. The delicate and intricate art of the paper cut is a highly admired and ancient art in China. Those in this book reflect both great technical skill and creativity. "

International Examiner

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The Dragon Lover: And Other Chinese Proverbs by Yong-Sheng Xuan reviewed by
Fatima Lim-Wilson

"The paper-cut works in this book are not only unique but also breath-takingly beautiful. Xuan produces art masterpieces that are both bold and delicate. Be it a heavenly dragon in fight or a crane caught in the clutches of a clam, Xuan's works all pulsate with the tremulous joy of life. The Chinese proverbs themselves are likewise admirable in their forthright moral themes of honesty and humility. A welcome bonus is the Chinese version of the tale unobtrusively featured alongside each page. Seeing the Chinese text next to the illustrations makes one realize how language itself, in its very written form, is a beautiful art. Xuan's book bestows upon the reader the precious gift of both a fine collection of proverbs and amazingly lovely art."

"Xuan's book bestows upon the reader the precious gift of both a fine collection of proverbs and amazingly lovely art."

-Pacific Reader

Yong-Shen Xuan, a native of Shanghai, China, began his interest in the Chinese tradition of the delicate and sometimes tedious paper-cut technique at a very young age. He studied art at several prestigious institutes, including the Central Arts and Crafts University in Beijing. In 1990 Xuan moved to Regina, Saskatchewan, and later settled in Windsor, Ontario. His other children’s books include D is for Dragon Dance and The Story of Chopsticks.

Shen’s Books is a publisher of multicultural children’s literature that emphasizes cultural diversity and tolerance, with a focus on introducing children to the cultures of Asia.

Through books, we can share a world a stories, building greater understanding and tolerance within our increasingly diverse communities as well as throughout our continuously shrinking globe.






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The Dragon Lover and Other Chinese Proverbs

Written and Illustrated by Yong-Shen Xuan
$7.95, Paperback, 32 pages
English/Chinese Text
All Ages
ISBN-10: 1885008317
ISBN-13: 9781885008312

Add to Cart