Publication
Imprint: New York : McElderry Books, 2000. Responsibility: Written and illustrated by Demi, adapted from the work by Hans christian Andersen. OCLC Number: 41108567. Physical:
1 volume : (26 unpaged, some folded) : color illustrations ; 26x26 cm.
Call number
SB-FTT / Demi
ISBN
9780689830686
Collections
CSS Library Notes
Description: Long ago in a province in China there lived an emperor whose greatest pleasure in life was to dress in new clothes.
So begins Demi's retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale about a proud emperor who does not see what is obvious until he hears the truth from a child.
Based upon several different translations of the original Danish story, Demi's tale is set in old provincial China. Filled with exquisite details, bright panoramas, and golden hues that leap off a wealth of fold-out pages, this story lures readers into a magical place and time. The story follows the four seasons of the year and is packed with visual elements of Chinese culture for readers to pore over for hours.
Demi has captured in text and paintings all the majesty of China and all the magic that makes for the very best fairy tales. This elegant edition of a favorite story is sure to be cherished by all. -- from publisher
FY2017 /
So begins Demi's retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale about a proud emperor who does not see what is obvious until he hears the truth from a child.
Based upon several different translations of the original Danish story, Demi's tale is set in old provincial China. Filled with exquisite details, bright panoramas, and golden hues that leap off a wealth of fold-out pages, this story lures readers into a magical place and time. The story follows the four seasons of the year and is packed with visual elements of Chinese culture for readers to pore over for hours.
Demi has captured in text and paintings all the majesty of China and all the magic that makes for the very best fairy tales. This elegant edition of a favorite story is sure to be cherished by all. -- from publisher
FY2017 /
Physical description
26 p.; 26 cm
Description
Two rascals sell a vain Chinese emperor an invisible suit of clothes.
Language
Original language
English
Similar in this library
User reviews
LibraryThing member lhamed
This is a retelling of the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale about an emperor who does not see what is obvious until he hears the truth from a child.
LibraryThing member mdrumgold
This chinese version of the Emperor's New Clothes is just like the American version. In this book the are is very detailed. the Emperor wanted new clothes everyday and his tailors in the palace made new ones for him all the time. A man and woman came into the palace and said that their clothes were
Show More
made of magic and anyone who could not see their clothes were fools. Who is the fool in this book? Read and find out Show Less
LibraryThing member edeidrich
While the story is time-honored and familiar, the art style in which Demi presents this tale marvelously adds freshness to theliterary classic. Featuring fold-out pages which reveal active and lively characters and locales in shimmering gold foil and rich inked colors, Demi's interpretation is a
Show More
virtual tribute to traditional Chinese art. Show Less
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
Hans Christian Andersen's famous tale is transplanted to China in this retelling by the prolific Demi, whose many folkloric picture-books for children include One Grain Of Rice and Liang and the Magic Paintbrush. When a vain emperor with a taste for fine clothing is taken in by two con artists
Using her trademark gold-leaf illustrations, Demi creates a visually engaging book, with a number of fold-out spreads sure to appeal to young readers. I enjoyed the many illustrative details, and was particularly struck by the fact that the swastika was included in the table of symbols. Given its importance in the iconography of many Asian cultures, I'm rather glad that it wasn't omitted, although parents will want to be aware that they may be called upon to explain that its meaning ("happiness") is very different in the East, than in the West.
That said, while this was a beautiful book, I didn't think it is the best work Demi has done. Nor can I say that this is my favorite iteration of this tale, as that honor goes to the version illustrated by Angela Barrett. Still, I always like to see how different artists interpret the same story, and thank my friend Kathryn for recommending this one!
Show More
posing as a weaver and tailor, all his advisors are likewise fooled. It takes a clear-eyed child to see the truth...Using her trademark gold-leaf illustrations, Demi creates a visually engaging book, with a number of fold-out spreads sure to appeal to young readers. I enjoyed the many illustrative details, and was particularly struck by the fact that the swastika was included in the table of symbols. Given its importance in the iconography of many Asian cultures, I'm rather glad that it wasn't omitted, although parents will want to be aware that they may be called upon to explain that its meaning ("happiness") is very different in the East, than in the West.
That said, while this was a beautiful book, I didn't think it is the best work Demi has done. Nor can I say that this is my favorite iteration of this tale, as that honor goes to the version illustrated by Angela Barrett. Still, I always like to see how different artists interpret the same story, and thank my friend Kathryn for recommending this one!
Show Less
LibraryThing member apetru5
I had mixed feelings about this book for a few reasons. One reason that I liked this book is because it accurately represented the Chinese culture in the illustrations by showing the typical Chinese dress and the town in which the characters lived. The dresses were all very colorful and popped off
Show More
of the page, which made it engaging. In addition, there was a diagram on one page that showed various pictures and their symbolic meaning in Chinese. For example, the bat means happiness and the chrysanthemum means joy and signifies fall. I liked that the illustrator included this diagram because it added to the authenticity of the book. On the other hand, I didn’t like the ending of this book because it ended somewhat abruptly. There wasn’t an obvious resolution, as the story ended by the Emperor continuing to parade around town in his underwear because he thought he was wearing invisible clothes. I wasn’t sure whether the tailors who made these clothes were tricking the Emperor or if anyone in the town actually was able to see the clothes because the ending was very open for interpretation, in my opinion. The big idea of this story is that you should always be truthful because you will make a fool of yourself if you try to be something that you are not. Show Less