In 'The Story of a China Cat' by Laura Lee Hope, readers are taken on a whimsical journey through the adventures of a china cat named Penny. Written in a charming and engaging narrative style, this children's book is filled with fantastical elements and moral lessons, making it a classic piece of children's literature. Hope's ability to weave a tale that is both entertaining and educational places this book in the literary context of other timeless children's stories. The vivid descriptions and endearing characters make this book a delightful read for young readers. Laura Lee Hope, known for her contributions to the Bobbsey Twins series, brings her expertise in storytelling to 'The Story of a China Cat'. Her experience in creating relatable characters and engaging plots is evident in this book, capturing the attention of children and adults alike. This book is recommended to readers who enjoy heartwarming tales with valuable life lessons, as well as those who appreciate classic children's literature that stands the test of time.

Ming Miao tells her kittens about the antics of one of their ancestors, Sagwa of China, that produced the unusual markings they have had for thousands of years

"The Story of a China Cat" by Laura Lee Hope is a charming children's tale that follows the enchanting journey of a delicate china cat named Floppy. The story begins in a quaint antique shop, where Floppy and a variety of other beautiful china figurines await their fate of finding new homes. One day, a curious little girl named Lucy visits the shop with her parents. As Lucy explores the treasures, her eyes are drawn to the graceful china cat, Floppy. Captivated by its delicate features and serene expression, Lucy asks her parents to buy the china cat for her. Delighted by their daughter's excitement, Lucy's parents gladly make the purchase, and Floppy becomes a cherished possession in Lucy's life. However, something magical happens that night when the moonlight bathes the antique shop. Floppy, who was once an inanimate object, comes to life! To Lucy's astonishment, her new china cat friend can now move, talk, and share in her adventures. Floppy and Lucy embark on a series of whimsical escapades together. They explore imaginary lands, have tea parties with stuffed animals, and share secrets that only the two of them can understand. As Lucy's imagination soars, Floppy becomes her most trusted confidant and ally. Through their adventures, Floppy imparts valuable life lessons to Lucy. He teaches her about the importance of kindness, friendship, and empathy for others. As Lucy grows and learns, Floppy is there to encourage her, offering gentle guidance and wisdom in times of uncertainty. However, not everything is always smooth sailing for Floppy and Lucy. They face challenges and mishaps along the way, but with Floppy's unwavering support and Lucy's imaginative spirit, they find solutions and make each day an exciting new chapter in their story. As Lucy and Floppy's bond grows, so does their love and understanding of one another. They share the joy of friendship and the beauty of imagination, fostering a connection that goes beyond the ordinary. "The Story of a China Cat" is a heartwarming tale that celebrates the magic of imagination, the power of friendship, and the joy of childhood. Laura Lee Hope's enchanting storytelling captivates readers, inviting them into a world where a china cat can come to life and inspire a young girl to dream, imagine, and believe in the extraordinary."

A charming look at felines photographed in a range of quirky and atmospheric shops across China, reflecting the country’s unique culture and the good fortune these cats bring their owners. Cats are an adorable feature of daily life in China. Countless stores keep cats, and many store owners believe the enigmatic animals bring good luck to their establishments. Each cat is an essential part of the shops in which they live and hunt and reign as little emperors of their retail kingdoms. In this delightful and intriguing book, these frisky felines are photographed in their store environments with their owners. A one-of-a-kind publication, this book pairs captivating photographs with light-hearted haiku on shop life. When photographer Marcel Heijnen moved to China he was immediately drawn to these photogenic mousers. And while the cats are undoubtedly the furry celebrities of his photographs, each shot delivers an insightful glimpse into China’s busy retail life. From dried sh and rice to paper sellers and tea merchants, the photographs’ backgrounds present traditional Chinese retail culture in all its colorful glory.

To select the animals of the zodiac, the Jade Emperor has called for a race between all the animals. Full-color illustrations.

"Wilt Idema presents Chinese tales about cats and mice, situating them in the Chinese literary tradition as a whole, and within Chinese imaginative depictions of animals. In the literatures of the ancient and modern Near East, South Asia, and medieval Europe, animal fables exhibited a range of anthropomorphic views, but Chinese literature is notable for its relative paucity of extended animal tales and rarity of talking animals. From ancient Egypt to China, rodents have long been vilified as thieves of grain in agrarian society, in perennial war with felines. Through varied depictions of the cat-mouse relationship, this set of tales allows to reader to consider the metaphorical roles of these animals in the Chinese literary imagination and to ponder their unusually prominent--and verbal--role in these stories. Of central focus is the legal case of the mouse against the cat in the underworld court of King Yama, a popular topic in the traditional ballad literature of late-imperial China and of present-day Chinese folk literature. Idema traces the development and variations of this theme of mice and cats in classical literature; to other stories of mice and cats in traditional vernacular literature; and to stories about the wedding of the mouse to the cat and the war between mice and cats. An epilogue traces the treatment of enmity between rodents and felines worldwide, and a foreword by Haiyan Lee explores the relevance of these tales to posthumanist consideration of human-animal relations. This entertaining volume will appeal to readers interested in Chinese literature and society, comparative literature, and animal studies in the humanities" --

Race with the animals of the Zodiac as they compete to have the years of the Chinese calendar named after them. The excitement-filled story is followed by notes on the Chinese calendar, important Chinese holidays, and a chart outlining the animal signs based on birth years.

On May 1, 1960, a U-2 was shot down over Russia and its pilot, Gary Powers, was captured, followed by Premier Khrushchev using the long-waited summit meeting in Paris as a public platform to denounce U.S. intrusion on Russian air space and to demand an apology from President Eisenhower. All these events made U-2 a world-renowned spyplane. This extraordinary high altitude reconnaissance aircraft had also been used over China and her vicinity. A US-ROC joint entity (Black Cat Squadron) was organized to conduct the operation from Taiwan for fifteen years. Five U-2s were shot down by Communist surface-to-air missiles. Two of the Nationalist Chinese pilots survived the missile explosion, yet were severely wounded, and then captured by the People's Republic of (PRC). They were incarcerated and harassed for almost nineteen years. They lived through the notorious Cultural Revolution. Their loving families in Taiwan were ruined. By the time these two miserable pilots were permitted to leave the PRC, their loyalty was questioned strongly by their own government in >Taiwan. Then they were entangled in the psychological warfare between the rivalries across the Taiwan Strait. Finally they were allowed to return to Taiwan than a quarter century later.

A cat looks on as her master, a poor Japanese artist, works on a painting commissioned by a high priest. The artist must paint all the animals blessed by Buddha except cats, which have been excluded from paradise. Despite the risk, the compassionate artist decides to include a cat in his painting and is rewarded. Text copyright 2004 Lectorum Publications, Inc.