Illustrated Picture Book of Chinese Classics, Issue 1 · A Record of Strange Things from Liaozhai

Author: Li Yufu, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features:
Telling classic stories in a fresh way
Reflecting vivid text with unique illustrations. The exquisite text condenses the essence of the original work, while the original paintings showcase artistic craftsmanship. Standard phonetic annotations that comply with teaching standards, taking children on a soul-stirring journey that will influence them for a lifetime. Between reality and fantasy, fox spirits and ghosts no longer appear fierce and terrifying, but instead embody emotions and kindness in their laughter, anger, and resentment, transporting us to a magical world.
For fulfilling emotional bonds, the flower spirit transforms into beautiful women like "Zhu Qing" and "Nie Xiaoqian," who weave a romantic love story between fox spirits, ghosts, and ordinary humans in the mortal world. The fox spirit "Xiao Cui," who visits the human world to repay a debt, leaves us with a deep impression of a beautiful, pure, and kind-hearted girl. The stories "Xi Fangping" and "The Cricket" mock the greed and cruelty of corrupt officials and wealthy landlords, allowing us to profoundly experience the darkness of the Qing Dynasty's judicial system and official circles. The satirical "Daoist of Laoshan" critiques human greed and laziness, offering both insight and reflection as we return from the fantasy world to reality.
The author of Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, Pu Songling, known as the "Chatting Studio Master," was an outstanding litterateur of the Qing Dynasty. From a young age, Pu Songling was intelligent and eager to learn, but he struggled in imperial examinations and only became a candidate for the civil service at the age of seventy-one. His life and long period of hardship gave him a deep understanding of the darkness of the political system and the corruption of the imperial examination system at the time, which also laid the foundation for his literary creations.
The newly released Phonetic Color Illustration Edition of Chinese Classics is a series of books meticulously compiled and illustrated, specially dedicated to young readers. The exquisite illustrations, drawn by talented artists, complement the text perfectly, vividly recreating the rich social life and profound artistic realm of the original works. The expressive text, delicate illustrations, and standard phonetic annotations that comply with primary school teaching standards will serve as a bridge for children to understand and appreciate the essence of traditional Chinese culture.