Chinese FROM THE PUBLISHER
"Since the emergence of the earliest discernible process of writing, in northern China around 1200 BC, the Chinese system has been used by millions of speakers. This book demystifies one of the world's oldest writing systems, introducing the basic principles of the language, the formation of written characters, and the ways these characters have developed. Drawing on evidence from numerous artifacts in the British Museum and elsewhere, the author describes, chronologically, several of the major scripts used to write on each material, from the earliest oracle bones to calligraphic works of art."--BOOK JACKET.
FROM THE CRITICS
School Library Journal
Gr 3-5-These books describe the cultures from which the immigrants came, how and why they left their homelands, their reception and experiences in the United States and Canada, and their contributions to their new homes. They are accessible to a younger audience than the "Immigrant Experience" series (Chelsea) and "Footsteps to America" (Macmillan). Topics are covered in double-page spreads and abundantly illustrated with fascinating full-color or tinted photographs, etchings, drawings, and paintings. Large boxes provide more detailed historical and cultural information, and occasional spreads are devoted to excerpts from personal narratives. Unfortunately, the texts are flawed by broad generalizations and, worse yet, numerous minor errors. The Africans gives the date of the Amistad incident as 1838, instead of 1839, and the date for the firing on Fort Sumter as April 21, 1861, instead of April 12th. The Chinese mixes up yin and yang; and a small map places Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and Vancouver hundreds of miles inland. Overall, an attractive format but the completed packages are disappointing.-Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Library, VA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
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