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Reviewed by Kua Kee Eng

Reading Special

Wonders The

Asian
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of

Tales .................................................................

Asian Children’s
Favorite Stories
Retold by: David Conger,
Kay Lyons, Liana Romulo, Chinese Children’s
Joan Suyenaga and Marian Favorite Stories
Davies Toth. Text and illustration by:
Illustration by: Patrick Yee Mingmei Yip
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
A compilation of 13 fascinating It is a simplified version of
tales from eight major countries in Chinese tales that explores the
Asia — China, Japan, Korea, custom of the ancient Chinese,
India, the Philippines, Thailand, besides embedding moral values
Indonesia and Malaysia — in the heart of your child. With
this is a good read aloud book beautiful artworks, it portrays
for children aged nine to 12. famous characters in the Chinese
It introduces cultures and folklores and myths, such as the
tradition of different countries Monkey King of Journey to the
through popular folktales to West, Chang-E, the Moon
children, in easy-to-understand Goddess, Guan Yin, the Goddess
sentences. The stories become of Compassion. This book
more appealing with its colourful promises children exciting
illustrations that would surely adventures, a recommended
capture children’s attention. read for seven to 12.

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“Reading aloud with children is known to be the single most important activity for
building the knowledge and skills they will eventually require for learning to read.”
— Marilyn Jager Adams

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best
of all.”
— Jacqueline Kennedy

“No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting. She will not
want new fashions nor regret the loss of expensive diversions or variety of company
if she can be amused with an author in her closet.”
— Lady Montagu, providing advice on raising her granddaughter, 1752

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Indian Children’s Japanese Malaysian
Favourite Stories Children’s Children’s
Retold by: Rosemarie Favorite Stories Favourite Stories
Somaiah Compiled by: Florence Text by: Kay Lyons
Illustration by: Ranjan Sakade Illustration by: Martin Loh
Somaiah Illustration by: Yoshisuke Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing Kurosaki
The Cunning Mousedeer, The
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
The fight between good and King of Crocodiles, The
evil, so justice can prevail, is Children could tap into wisdom Princess of Mount Ledang,
manifested through the of ancient Japanese tales, such Princess Santubong and
popular characters in Indian as Momotaro, the peach boy many more of such renowned
legends and mythology, such who fights the wicked ogres to folktales and legends
as the daughter of the bring peace to his homeland amongst the Malaysians are
elephant’s keeper, Munna as a sign of gratitude to the old compiled in this book. This
who uses her wits to make couple who raised him, how book teaches moral values
the ruthless Raja distributes the grateful statues, Jizo, repay and wisdom, that helps
rice for the poor, the deva the kindness of an old man children understands better
born in human form as who offered them all his hats, of these abstract concepts.
Krishna to fight the evil and the self-sacrificing rabbit The colourful illustration
Kamsa, and the destined that helps the Moon God, who makes it an interesting read
battle of Rama, against the disguised as an hungry old for children aged between
evil ten-headed rakshasa, beggar. In short, filial piety, five and 12. PH
Ravana. All these portrayed gratefulness, selflessness,
with artistic illustrations and a kindness, courage and many
clear-cut language which good values are integrated in
children aged eight to 12 can these tales that would greatly
easily comprehend. help children understand the
importance of adopting these
values in their lives. Its large
fonts, beautiful illustrations and
simple sentences made it an
easy read for six to 10 year
olds.

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The Wonders of Asian Tales.p65 3 2007/6/20, ¤W¤È 10:21