"Three Hundred Song Lyrics: Children's Edition ((Children's Edition · Pinyin) (With CD-ROM))"

Author: Wang Zhixi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-02-01
Features:
Chinese Ci poetry is a treasure in the history of Chinese culture. It can be grand and majestic or gentle and lingering, with exquisite and refined verses, even worthy of careful appreciation and deliberation in terms of melody. Unfortunately, people often favor "Tang poetry" and overlook "Ci poetry" in inspiring children. This book, with its vivid illustrations and fluent translations, is sure to provide your child with a fresh and delightful experience, immersing them in the beauty of classical Chinese literature.
Ci poetry, alongside Tang poetry, is considered "the literature of a generation." It originated in the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Song Dynasty. As a unique branch of ancient literature, it possesses its own distinctive artistic charm. Ci poetry, both in its artistic form and ideological content, was favored by the masses, leading to its enduring popularity across generations. The origins of Ci poetry can be traced back to the Six Dynasties period. Initially, it was a poetic form that could be set to music and sung, so writers composed verses according to fixed melodies, which were referred to as "Ci tunes" or "Ci forms." Over time, as Ci poetry spread to the Northern Song Dynasty, it became increasingly popular among literati for its ability to express delicate emotions more effectively than poetry, leading to its flourishing. However, this very advantage also narrowed the scope of "Ci poetry," confining it to themes of romantic love and seasonal scenery. It was not until the late Tang and Five Dynasties period that Ci poetry gradually shed its dependence on music and evolved into an independent literary form.
Initially, Song Ci poetry inherited the ornate and delicate style of the late Tang and Five Dynasties, often revolving around themes of separation and sorrow between lovers. Early Ci poets like Yan Shu and his son, Ou Yangxiu, followed this path. It was the emergence of Liu Yong that enriched the themes and content of Ci poetry and diversified its expressive techniques. From then on, Song Ci poetry developed its own distinct style, breaking away from the ornate influence of the late Tang and Five Dynasties. Su Shi brought about another major transformation, expanding the scope of Ci poetry’s subject matter and extending its vitality, while also introducing new developments. The style of Ci poetry shifted dramatically, becoming more passionate and heroic, establishing a new school alongside the traditional gentle and lingering style.
This children’s edition of Three Hundred Poems of Song Ci features many famous works passed down through the ages, mostly short Xiaoling and Zhongtiao poems, with diverse and uplifting themes, making it particularly suitable for young readers. Each poem is accompanied by colorful illustrations, annotations, and explanations to aid comprehension. Pinyin annotations are added to the original texts in modern Mandarin for easy recitation. We believe this book, alongside the previously published children’s edition of Three Hundred Poems of Tang Poetry, will complement each other, becoming an excellent introduction to ancient literature for young learners.