In China, crickets are a common songbird, and it is said in the Book of Poetry: "July is in the wild, August is in the universe, September is in the household, and in October the crickets come under my bed." "Crickets, also once a kind of pet, for those who are keen on fighting cockroaches, from the emperor and prince to the small people in the city, this scene, as long as you have read Mr. Liaozhai's "Promoting Weaving", it is like in front of your eyes." And in this seemingly somewhat old picture book, you'll read a very Chinese-style story about crickets— even though it's written by an American woman who pretends to be a fake. The edition we saw was first printed by the China Peace Publishing House in 1987 – when Dasheng first met on a library shelf when he was in college, he had always been obsessed with the long-standing Chinese-style picture books of this era, until a few years ago, he picked up a leak from the Hole Net.
Cover of the first edition of Golden Bells: A Chinese Cricket in 1987
If you know something about traditional China, or if you grew up in a quaint village, or if you have lived in a small town with countryside and ruins for many years, then you can fully imagine that crickets, a story motif, really have the childlike fun of classical pastoral color. By the way, Dasheng himself was actually influenced by the ancient poem and Mr. Quicksand River's famous poem about crickets, as well as Ms. Alison's little influence, and five or six years ago he also wrote a fairy tale about crickets, "Crickets "Gate Teeth" and Little Boy Jiangjiang". However, in my fairy tale, the cricket "front tooth" did not end up like its distant ancestors, because they were good at fighting and fighting, and became the love of salt merchants, officials and emperors. And this "picture book" is exactly the story of how a cricket became a champion. Its story is also related to a little boy.
The little mushroom bought the golden bell from the cricket vendor
To see the complete picture book, please click on the following WeChat article link:
Golden Bell: The Story of a Chinese Cricket
About the Author:
Alison Stilwell, the name is easily reminiscent of the War of Resistance, and the American "Flying Tigers" General Chennault, who was named after General Stilwell. Yes, Alison is General Stilwell's versatile daughter. She has spent most of her life in China. Like pearl buck, a famous writer who grew up in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, she loves China, understands the Chinese people, and is familiar with Chinese traditions and customs. As a picture book author and artist, Emily has a deep understanding of oriental art. This interesting storybook, "The Golden Bell: The Story of a Chinese Cricket," is her sole work to create the story and draw exquisite illustrations with the brushwork of Chinese gong strokes. The story itself and the illustrations have a strong Chinese flavor, or more accurately, a Beijing flavor.
The story takes place in the bustling and bustling city of Beijing
In the final analysis, Ms. Alison really understands the people of old Beijing, and truly appreciates the chinese mother and son like Xiao Mushroom and Mrs. Liu, who are dependent on each other and care for each other, as well as the Chinese people who have a compassionate sense of justice and artistic personality. In the fair game where the mayor personally provided the prize, the little cricket defeated the crowd and finally took the lead, winning the prize money for the little master's family to save the poor. And the little mushroom is not moved by the money, did not betray the golden bell, sold it at a high price, but instead got the approval of Mr. Qin, providing a job for the little mushroom and his mother.
The little melon skin hat of the golden bell was made by the mother of the little mushroom, and it was very refreshing to wear
This fairy tale is, of course, a laughing flower soaked in tears. This flower may not be so warm and fragrant after it has bloomed. But it will certainly allow us to relive the story of old Beijing created by Americans and relive the peace, fraternity, and sincerity in the bones of Chinese. Can we not thank Alison Stilwell, the cultural ambassador who repaid China with the same enthusiasm, compassion and artistic accomplishment?
The golden bell reveled in the happiness of winning the championship, and the prize was a palatial cockroach jar