Originally designed as a mission to collect tribute from neighboring countries, China's massive navel fleet in the early 15th century stunned the world with its daring exploration, immense wealth, and military might. The unprecedented ambition of one of the world's oldest civilizations had now come full circle and regained global attention

Text by Song Nan Zhang & Hoo Yu Zhang
Illustrated by Song Nan Zhang

Great were the sins of Monkey King as he created havoc in heaven and fair was the punishment pinned on him at the Five-Finger Mountain. Is our legendary creature ready to embrace a techable spirit with grace comes his way and gives him a second change?

Retold by Debby Chen
Illustrated by Wenhai Ma

What fate awaits a thousand-year-old white snake that travels from its sacred mountain to the human world, only to fall in love with a mortal? Such is the unusual beginning of this tragic love story, one of the most popular in all of Chinese opera.

Retold by Aaron Shepard
Illustrated by Song Nan Zhang

In Monkey King Wreaks Havoc in Heaven, the second book in the series, our show-off hero is determined to prove to the Emperor of Heaven that he is more than equal to any of the celestial warriors or ministers. But first he trains and finetunes his own little monkey army, then he set off to equip himself with his trademark hero's weapon.

Retold by Debby Chen
Illustrated by Wenhai Ma

The story of the female general, Mulan, was originally a folk song dating from the Northern Wei dynasty, A.D.386-534.
According to legend, there was a young woman named Mulan whose aged father was conscripted. Mulan, unwilling to see her father fighting in a war, disguised herself as a man and joined the army in his place.

Retold and Illustrated
by Song Nan Zhang

In The Making of Monkey King, the fantastic beginning of this unforgettable hero is told. Magically born from a rock, he is crowned Monkey King by his fellow monkeys after finding a sanctuary for them. Anxious to make the enjoyment of his life and his rule last forever, he sets off on a journey to find the secret of immortality.

Retold by Robert Kraus and
Debby Chen
Illustrated by Wenhai Ma

No brocades are more lovely or lifelike than the ones the widow weaves to sell at the marketplace. One day she returns home with a marvelous painting of a fairy palace and her son Chen suggests that she weaves the image as a brocade.  This popular Chinese folktale will enchant young and old as Chen and his mother find their way to a happiness beyond their dreams.

Retold by Aaron Shepard & Illustrated by Xiaojun Li