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The Firebird |
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 Book Review
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Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0805078118 |
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Usually ships within 24 hours. |
From Publishers Weekly
Demi adopts a formal style for this opulent version of the famous Russian folktale, echoing the fine craft of cloisonne and the intricacies of Faberge in her gilded illustrations. The surfeit of visual riches helps carve out a niche for the book amongst the recent spate of retellings of this tale of the feckless archer Dimitri who, with the help of his magic Horse of Power, captures the Firebird and embarks on a chain of ever more difficult quests that culminate in his own transformation into a prince (see also Rachel Isadora's Firebird, reviewed above). Demi's many fans will recognize the hallmarks of her art: meticulous attention to detail (historical, natural and architectural), fluidity of line and, above all, an unrepentant taste for luxury. Ages 6-10. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This... |
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Empty Pot |
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Book Review
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Paperback |
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0805049002 |
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From Publishers Weekly
A Chinese boy with an green thumb wins the emperor's competition; PW praised the "extraordinarily delicate Oriental landscapes." Ages 4-7. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3-- When the Chinese emperor proclaims that his successor will be the child who grows the most beautiful flowers from the seeds the emperor distributes, Ping is overjoyed. Like the emperor, he loves flowers and anything he plants bursts into bloom. But the emperor's seed will not grow, despite months of loving care, and Ping goes before the emperor carrying only his empty pot. The emperor ignores the beautiful blossoms brought by the other children and chooses Ping, revealing that the seeds he handed out had been cooked and could not grow. This simple... |
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The Legend of Saint Nicholas |
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Book Review
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Hardcover |
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0689846819 |
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Ships within 2-3 days. |
From School Library Journal
Grade 1-4-This richly illustrated biography focuses on St. Nicholas, born around the year A.D. 280 in what is now Turkey. His active life of spirituality, good works, and miracles, especially concerning children, made him a popular saint after his death. The eventual melding of the December 6 feast day of St. Nicholas, which was celebrated with gift giving and merriment, with Christmas is explained clearly, giving children an understanding of how this man morphed into the Santa Claus they know today. The gilded paintings are full of absorbing, though sometimes anachronistic, details. In an illustration accompanying a story of Nicholas tossing coins into a girl's stocking, the stocking is bright red with a white top, very Christmas-y but not exactly third-century attire. The greatest strength of this book is... |
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One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale |
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| Author: |
Hitz Demi |
Book Review
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Hardcover |
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059093998X |
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Book Review
Exotic, beautiful, and instructive, this "mathematical folktale" by author-illustrator Demi emerged from her love of India. The narrative and the evocative illustrations combine to create a real sense of the culture and atmosphere of this romantic land. It's the story of Rani, a clever girl who outsmarts a very selfish raja and saves her village. When offered a reward for a good deed, she asks only for one grain of rice, doubled each day for 30 days. Remember your math? That's lots of rice: enough to feed a village for a good long time--and to teach a greedy raja a lesson.
From School Library Journal
Grade 1-4. A resourceful village girl outsmarts a greedy raja, turning a reward of one grain of rice into a feast for a hungry nation. Delicate paintings emblazoned with... |
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Muhammad |
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Book Review
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Hardcover |
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0689852649 |
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Usually ships within 24 hours. |
From School Library Journal
Grade 3 Up-Demi's somewhat reverent picture-book introduction to Muhammad is similar in format to her Buddha (Holt, 1995). Born into a powerful and influential Meccan tribe in the year A.D. 570, Muhammad was nursed for five years by a desert woman who recognized his "inner beauty and greatness." Between the ages of 40 and 63, he had many visions that revealed to him the words that became the Koran and the Five Pillars of Islam. Although he quickly gained many followers, his attempts to convert the idol-worshipping Meccans to monotheism annoyed the Quraysh tribal leaders, forcing the Muslims into military confrontations. Ultimately, he was able to unite the feuding Arab tribes into the Ummah brotherhood. Demi states that he granted religious tolerance to Christians and Jews, but forced them to pay a "tribute"... |
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Jesus |
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Book Review
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Hardcover |
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0689869053 |
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From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6–Brilliantly colored artwork and text based on the King James version of the Bible tell the story of the life of Jesus, beginning with the prophesies and the annunciation and ending with his ascension into Heaven. Demi's paintings are full of bright, intricate patterns, and bold touches of gold produce a feeling of awe and splendor. The images are somewhat traditional in their depictions of winged angels and a white-haired God figure above the frame of several illustrations. This book is a beautiful creation, and a reverent tribute. However, it does not have a lot of appeal for children. The art, all enclosed in a series of frames, looks static and self-contained. The small size of the text makes it difficult to read. The biblical passages have an undeniable beauty, but no adjustments or... |
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Mother Teresa |
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Book Review
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Hardcover |
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0689864078 |
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From School Library Journal
Grade 2-5 - This informative and eloquent biography highlights the key moments in the life of the diminutive but determined nun and the ongoing quest to have her canonized. In clear, readable prose and richly colored paint-and-ink illustrations adorned with decorative gold-leaf borders, Demi conveys Mother Teresa's innate goodness and religious devotion while recounting the story of her inspiring accomplishments on behalf of the "poorest of the poor." The narrative focuses on Mother Teresa's experiences coming to the aid of countless unfortunate, diseased, orphaned, and forgotten citizens around the world; describes the far-reaching work of her order, the Missionaries of Charity; and concludes with the many humanitarian honors and awards bestowed upon her. Every element of this lovely book reflects Mother... |
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Buddha |
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Book Review
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Hardcover
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0805042032 |
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Usually ships in 24 hours |
Book Review
Celebrated children's-book illustrator Demi puts the Buddha's life story into words any child can enjoy. Even more, children will love the lush, meticulously painted scenes, rendered in traditional Asian fashion yet as light and whimsical as Calvin and Hobbes. (Ages 9 to 12.)
From School Library Journal
Grade 4 Up?A graceful account of Buddha's life, from the prophecies preceding his birth to his death at age 80. Demi is attentive to historical information, legends, and the long and dearly held beliefs about Buddha. She describes his protected royal youth, his search for a way to end suffering, his enlightenment, and his compassionate teaching of the basic tenets of Buddhist faith, the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The book also includes several parables, such as the... |
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Liang and the Magic Paintbrush |
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| Author: |
Hitz Demi |
Book Review
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Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0805008012 |
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From Publishers Weekly
Whatever a beggar boy paints with his brush comes to life, in a masterful story that glows with Demi's jewel-like art. A Reading Rainbow selection. Ages 5-8. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"Demi's telling matches her art in fantastic effects in her new book, a tale suggested by an ancient Chinese legend. Delicate shades of gold and blue contrast with fiery scarlets in surpassingly beautiful and authentic pictures showing strange happenings when a poor beggar boy, Liang, receives a magic paintbrush." --Publishers Weekly
"Beautiful full-color illustrations portray this ancient Chinese folktale in which Liang's wit helps him thwart a greedy emperor's plan."--Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies
"The... |
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Courtesans |
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| Author: |
Joanna Richardson |
Book Review
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Hardcover |
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0785818294 |
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Ships within 3-4 days. |
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Buddha Stories |
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Book Review
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Hardcover
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| ISBN: |
0805048863 |
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Usually ships in 24 hours |
Book Review
Some originals of the earliest Chinese-Buddhist sutras still exist--printed in gold ink on deep indigo paper. To see one is to sink into it. Demi, devout Buddhist and illustrator of children's literature, recreates the stories in the form of a children's book with smooth writing and stunning brushwork. These moral tales, taken from Jataka literature of Buddhism, relate engaging incidents among humans and animals that highlight a valuable lesson, each complete with a final moral. Children are sure to fall in love with this masterful combination of art and moral education.
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-7. Many of the over 500 Jataka tales can be accessed in various editions, but the 10 simple stories Demi presents here are rich in significance and provide a fine introduction... |
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Happy New Year! Kung-Hsi FA-Ts'ai! |
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| Author: |
Hitz Demi |
Book Review
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Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0517885921 |
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Book Review
"Happy Chinese New Year!" this lovely book exuberantly proclaims. Full of extraordinary, richly colorful illustrations resembling lacquered boxes, this book is as visually delicious as Demi's previous books The Stonecutter and The Empty Pot. Children will love closely examining the flurry of activity associated with this important holiday. They will also appreciate the accompanying minimal, straightforward descriptions of everything from heavenly beings to candied coconut. As they learn the basics of this ancient holiday, they'll also enjoy finding their own animal sign of the Chinese New Year based on the year of their birth: "Each Chinese year is named after an animal, and each animal has certain characteristics. Because the moon's cycle begins again every 12 years, there are 12 animals in the Chinese... |
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The Classic of Tea: Origins & Rituals |
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| Author: |
Yu Lu, et al |
Book Review
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0880014164 |
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Usually ships within 1-2 business days |
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Practical Intuition: How to Harness the Power of Your Instinct and Make It Work for You |
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| Author: |
Laura Day |
Book Review
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Paperback |
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0767900340 |
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Book Review
Laura Day, who has been "intuitive"--her word for "psychic"--since youth, here asserts that you, too, can milk your sixth sense for all it's worth. While Day's gift comes naturally to her, she contends that anyone can improve his or her natural intuitive instincts. While you may not win the lottery on your next try, this book may very well help you think more deeply and more clearly, helping you to function at a higher level than before. (Finding your car keys, for example, may not be a half-hour long process anymore.) Your attitude will undoubtedly have a great effect on your degree of success with her program. (If this helps at all, try to remember that Brad Pitt is a devout Day supporter, and James D. Watson, Nobel laureate and co-discoverer of the DNA helix, has endorsed Day's intuitions.) At any... |
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Happy, Happy Chinese New Year! |
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Book Review
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Hardcover |
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0375826424 |
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Ships within 2-3 days. |
Book Review
Kung-Hsi Fa-Ts’Ai! Happy New Year! The Chinese New Year is all about fresh starts. Taking place during China’s springtime (usually January or February in the Western calendar), celebrations include sweeping and dusting, paying off debts, catching up on homework, cooking and eating, setting off firecrackers, and dancing. Acclaimed author/illustrator Demi’s delightful little ode to the Chinese New Year describes in intriguing detail each of these festivities and more. Accompanying the text are Demi’s intricate and vibrant illustrations featuring Chinese children and adults participating exuberantly in each event--even mopping floors and washing hair seem like joyful occasions! We learn about the symbols behind traditional foods: "Pork brings wealth," "Sweet-and-sour fish signifies surplus," "Fried rice... |
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Empty Pot |
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Book Review
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Hardcover |
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0805012176 |
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From Publishers Weekly
Ping is a Chinese boy with an emerald green thumb; he can make anything grow "as if by magic." One day the Emperor announces that he needs a successor, someone who can carry on after he is gone with the ruling of the kingdom and the growing of the flowers. He gives each child one seed, and the one who grows the best flower will take over after him. Competition is fierce, and Ping is heartbroken that nothing comes up, despite his careful tending. On the day of the competition, he is the only child with an empty pot; all the others brings lush plants. But the Emperor has tricked everyone by distributing cooked seeds, unable to grow; and Ping, with his empty pot, is the only honest gardener--and the winner. Extraordinarily delicate Oriental landscapes in round frames show Chinese architecture, foliage, native birds... |
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Little Bitty Bunny |
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Book Review
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Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0448410893 |
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Usually ships within 24 hours. |
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Kites: Magic Wishes That Fly up to the Sky |
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| Author: |
Hitz Demi |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0375810080 |
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Book Review
Have you ever flown a kite high in the sky and wondered if something or someone up there might see it? Long ago in China, kites were used to send messages--and special wishes--to the gods. In Kites: Magic Wishes That Fly Up to the Sky, well-loved artist Demi tells a story of a mother who orders such a kite from a painter of holy pictures to help her son be strong and wise: She said, "I want a picture of a dragon, the symbol of wealth, wisdom, power, and nobility, so that my son will grow up big and strong. But I do not want an ordinary picture. I want you to paint it as a kite with strings. Then I can fly it right up to the sky and the gods in heaven will see it immediately, instead of having to come down to this temple." This tactic seemed to work, as her son immediately seemed "bigger and stronger, richer... |
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Bell's New Pantheon or Historical Dictionary of the Gods, Demi Gods, Heroes and Fabulous Personages of Antiquity |
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| Author: |
John Bell |
Book Review
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Paperback |
| ISBN: |
076617834X |
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Book Description
1790. Found in this book are volumes 1 and 2 of the original work. Bell presents a dictionary of gods, demi-gods, heroes and fabulous personages of antiquity; also, of the images and idols adored in the pagan world; together with their temples, priests, altars, oracles, fasts, festivals, games, etc., as well as descriptions of their figures, representations, and symbols collected from statues, pictures, coins and other remains of the ancients. The whole designed to facilitate the study of mythology, history, poetry, painting, statuary, medals, etc. and compiled from the best authorities. Richly embellished with characteristic prints.
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The Magic Gold Fish: A Russian Folktale |
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| Author: |
Demi (Illustrator), Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin |
Book Review
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| Format: |
School & Library Binding
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| ISBN: |
0805032436 |
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Usually ships within 1-2 business days |
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3? While variants of this tale exist in several cultures, Demi uses Pushkin's retelling as the basis of this version. A poor fisherman spares the life of a magical talking fish, and in return is granted anything he wants. At first he asks for nothing, but later?spurred on by his greedy wife?he requests a series of things, until his wife's wish to become the mistress of the seas sends the two of them back to their hovel by the sea. This tale of virtue rewarded and greediness punished has great appeal for authors and illustrators and is readily available in many other noteworthy picture-book versions of the Grimms' version, all with the title The Fisherman and His Wife. However, Demi's highly stylized artwork sets this one apart. Done in a combination of ink washes, line drawings, and... |
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