Learning about other cultures

SOLC #2/31 - 

      I'm slicing with the Two Writing Teachers community for Day Two of Thirty-One of the Slice of Life Challenge in March.  Thank you Stacey, Tara, Anna, Betsy, Dana, Kathleen, Beth, and Deb.  

      
     Thanks also to Alyson Beecher's Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge at Kidlit Frenzy. It's a pleasure to discover new books where children can learn new things. This time, I'm writing about two books courtesy of PR By The Book whom I thank for sharing good books with me.

            The two following books have an interesting history. From the collaboration of a foundation in China, The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation, and the Design and Cultural Studies Workshop in Hong Kong, a program about living in the Forbidden City was created. Out of that, and working with The China Institute in America, the program and these books have been brought to an English speaking audience. These books, among others, will become special resources for students young and old who wish to know more about the Chinese culture. Both of them hold a lot of information, and it seems that some parts could have been broken into several parts, each suitable for different ages.

Bowls of Happiness: Treasures from China and The Forbidden City - written by Brian Tea, illustrated by Alice Mak and translated by Ben Wang

         This is a fascinating book, with one part in story, and the second adding more information about the kinds of happiness found in the language, and photos of special bowls from the Palace Museum.

         In the sweet opening, “Between heaven and earth is a bowlful of happiness.” the reader has a taste of what is to come: a picture book for younger children. With a mixture of a happy welcome to “Piggy”, the new baby’s nickname with his pink cheeks and “Oink, oink, oink” of a cry, the story begins. In it, Mommy is introduced as a potter, and one bowl she makes has a piggy on it. She adds clouds, flowers, parrots and birds, other beautiful things from nature that also are happy to be included. It becomes the bowl of happiness for her little piggy.

         The second part offers an introduction of the sky and earth meeting to create all living things. It says: “People meet these natural wonders to create happiness.” There are pictures of bowls and the color and object meanings found on them. And there is additional information at the back.

         The final pages have a blank bowl where readers can decorate their own happiness bowls. I imagine that it could be copied so several could create the bowls.

What Was It Like Mr. Emperor? Life in China’s Forbidden City - written by Chiu Kwong-chiu and Eileen Ng, illustrations by Design and Cultural Studies Workshop and translation by Ben Wang

           Illustrated throughout with graphic-style characters, sometimes with balloon speech asides, this book is filled with information from the beginning explanation of the five legendary emperors to the last, Emperor Puyi (ascended at the age of three), ordered out of the Forbidden City in 1924 when the imperial system of China officially ended.

          Much information included in this book, about ranks and symbols, certain emperors, their daily lives and important things they did. There are details about their wives and consorts, and brief bios of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Information about the incredible amount of food expected to be served to the emperor, and his education. You learn some history, and some about the servants, their ranks and what they were allowed according to that rank. I’m sorry that there isn’t an index, but it might work well for students to read the book, marking certain areas or people that they wish to research further. It didn’t take me long to read.

          The illustrations are informative and entertaining. For example, there is a double-page showing the front and back of the Emperor’s Imperial Court Robe with twelve emblems that represent the 12 Virtues. 

And the illustrations with text can show a bit of humor. In an explanation of the responsibilities of a ruler, the phrase “Family and Country” is used, meaning the emperor must improve oneself before starting a family, then take care the family is happy, and finally he can rule an entire nation. It’s a clear explanation of expectations. Here is the illustration.

           The books are well done, a bit different than the approach of non-fiction books we usually read, but they will be good resources for a study of China.
            
            Considering we have the advantage of the internet, it seems both important and easy to find information, watch videos, even make friends with people from all over our world. Books help spark an interest, and others