Every year a boy and his parents travel back to their hometown to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. It's a wonderous time for the boy, as he learns Chinese traditions from his grandparents. He always leaves with only one wish--to return next year.
Play-a-Tune Tale: Ni Hao, Kai-Lan Dragon Boat Festival joins Nickelodeon's Kai-lan and her friends Rintoo the tiger, Hoho the monkey, Lulu the rhino, and Tolee the koala on an exciting dragon boat race. Rintoo feels mad when he loses the first race, but he works together with his teammate to win the next race. Preschoolers learn an important lesson about sportsmanship and friendship.
The Dragon Boat Festival celebrates the first Chinese poet, Qu Yuan. And before the poet came along, this Chinese holiday was all about getting rid of creepy crawlies at the beginning of summer! Come explore the many traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival. Along the way, you may learn a few Chinese words and get to know some interesting historical figures. For more books in The First Chinese Festivals series, go to LSamZhang.com.
Taiwan is a small island located in Eastern Asia, between the South China Sea and the East China Sea. It is officially known as the Republic of China and has a population of over 23 million people. Taiwan is known for its beautiful landscapes, friendly people, and vibrant culture. The economy is largely based on manufacturing and exports, with electronics being the largest sector. Taiwan is also known for its food, with a variety of dishes influenced by the cultures of China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. While Taiwan is a small island, it has a rich and complex history. Originally inhabited by Austronesian tribes, it was colonized by the Dutch in the 17th century and later ruled by the Qing Dynasty of China. In 1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan, who controlled the island until the end of World War II. After the war, Taiwan was returned to China, but in 1949, the communist party won the Chinese Civil War and established the People's Republic of China on the mainland. The Nationalist government fled to Taiwan and established the Republic of China, which continues to govern the island today. While Taiwan has faced challenges related to its political status and relationship with China, it has emerged as a prosperous and democratic nation with a unique identity and culture.
Macao, also known as Macau, is a small peninsula located in the south of China. It is considered to be one of the most unique cities in the world due to its combination of Chinese and Portuguese cultures. During the 16th century, the Portuguese established a trading port in Macao, which made it the center of economic and cultural exchange between China and the West. Consequently, Macao has been influenced by western culture, religion, language, and architecture making it an interesting cosmopolitan city. In addition to its cultural richness, Macao is also a famous tourist destination due to its many casinos, luxury hotels, and entertainment venues. It is often referred to as the “Las Vegas of Asia” as it is home to the largest gambling market in the world. Macao has a rich culinary scene influenced by Chinese and Portuguese cuisine. Its signature dishes include egg tarts, pork chop buns, and Macanese-style seafood. With its unique cultural heritage, vibrant entertainment scene, and delicious cuisine, Macao is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to China or the surrounding areas.
In ancient times, the Chinese saw the dragon as both a protector and a threat, able to bring on rain or cause droughts. To honor this powerful creature, people created long narrow boats that they raced in an annual rainmaking festival. From the wearing of fragrant pouches, to the consumption of rice dumplings, to thrilling boat races, the dragon boat festival of today is a celebration of Chinese traditions all over the world. Arlene Chan, a respected librarian and an experienced dragon boat racer, explores the origins of the festival, it’s customs, and the races themselves. Beautifully detailed illustrations by Song Nan Zhang let you experience the beauty and energy of this ancient festival.
Paddles Up! provides an in-depth look at dragon boating from its beginnings in ancient China to the modern-day prominence of Canadian teams on the international scene, as told in the words of top coaches of men's and women's teams, experts and enthusiasts, and sports health professionals across Canada. Contributing writers include Mike Haslam, executive president International Dragon Boat Federation; Matthew Smith, president Dragon Boat Canada; Kamini Jain, Vancouver; Albert MacDonald, Halifax; Jamie Hollins, Pickering; Matt Robert, Montreal; and Jim Farintosh, Toronto. Through legends, history, and traditions, to paddling tips and mental readiness, and from choosing gear to exceptional achievements, a battery of Canadian dragon-boat notables share their considerable knowledge in one authoritative volume.
The scale and variety of Chinese festivals have never ceased to amaze observers. But what are the origins of these festivals and how do they reflect traditional values in a civilisation with more than 5,000 years of history? The reader will be intrigued to learn that the festivals did not all originate at the same time. In fact, many have evolved with the development of the Chinese civilisation. The presentation of the stories about these traditional festivals in comics will help the reader to appreciate their celebrations through the ages.