Mingmei Yip

Ordered to become a ghost bride in 1930s China, seventeen-year-old Spring Swallow flees to Soochow where she joins a community of embroiderers and engages in a dangerous love affair with a young revolutionary.

Secret of a Thousand Beauties

When Xiang Xiang's father is falsely executed, she is sold to Peach Blossom Pavilion, a prostitution house, where she is taught the skills of a courtesan while longing to be reunited with her mother.

Peach Blossom Pavilion

When Camilla--trained in singing, dancing, knife-throwing and contortion--is forced to become Master Lung's mistress, she meets two other intriguing women who pose risks to her safety and status until an even greater danger emerges in the form of Master Lung's eldest son. Original.

Skeleton Women

Ming Neng, entering a retreat to test her karma as a Buddhist nun, becomes trapped between her long-held spiritual quest and forbidden passion when she succumbs to temptation with the young American doctor who saved her life. Original.

Petals from the Sky

When an aunt she never knew offers to pay her to travel along China's fabled Silk Road, where she must perform a series of tasks, Hong Kong native Lily Lin leaves New York behind and embarks on a life-changing journey. Original.

Song of the Silk Road

Both on the run in Hong Kong, enemies Camilla and Shadow settle their differences and risk their lives by returning to Shanghai in their quest for freedom, while Camilla searches for a son she thought was dead.

The Nine Fold Heaven

"From the author of "Secret of a Thousand Beauties" and "Peach Blossom Pavilion" comes a beautifully written novel of self-discovery and intrigue." Chinese-American assistant professor Eileen Chen specializes in folk religion at her San Francisco college. Though her grandmother made her living as a shamaness, Eileen publicly dismisses witchcraft as mere superstition. Yet privately, the subject intrigues her. When a research project takes her to the Canary Islands--long rumored to be home to real witches--Eileen is struck by the lush beauty of Tenerife and its blend of Spanish and Moroccan culture. A stranger invites her to a local market where women sell amulets, charms, and love spells. Gradually Eileen immerses herself in her exotic surroundings, finding romance with a handsome young furniture maker. But as she learns more about the lives of these self-proclaimed witches, Eileen must choose how much trust to place in this new and seductive world, where love, greed, and vengeance can be as powerful, or as destructive, as any magic.

The Witch's Market

This colorfully illustrated multicultural children's book presents Chinese fairy tales and other folk stories—providing insight into a rich literary culture. Chinese Children's Favorite Stories is a delightful selection of thirteen Chinese folktales as told by author-illustrator Mingmei Yip. Inspired by her father's nightly story-telling adventures when she was a child, Yip hopes that by "retelling some of these thousand-year-old Chinese stories," she can pass along Chinese folklore and fables to many readers. Retold for an international audience, the beautifully illustrated stories will give children aged five to ten in other countries a glimpse into traditional Chinese culture. The Children's Favorite Stories series was created to share the folktales and legends most beloved by children in the East with young readers of all backgrounds in the West. In Chinese Children's Favorite Stories, discover the many delightful characters—from a monkey and fairy, to ghosts and frogs—in stories such as: The Mouse Bride Dream of the Butterfly The Ghost Catcher The Frog Who Lived in a Well How the Fox Tricked the Tiger The Monkey King Turns the Heavenly Palace Upside Down The Children's Favorite Stories series was created to share the folktales and legends most beloved by children in the East with young readers of all backgrounds in the West. Other multicultural children's books in this series include: Asian Children's Favorite Stories, Indian Children's Favorite Stories, Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories, Japanese Children's Favorite Stories, Singapore Children's Favorite Stories, Favorite Children's Stories from China & Tibet, Korean Children's Favorite Stories, Balinese Children's Favorite Stories, and Vietnamese Children's Favorite Stories.

Chinese Children's Favorite Stories

This story is part of Reading Champion, a series carefully linked to book bands to encourage independent reading skills, developed with Dr Sue Bodman and Glen Franklin of UCL Institute of Education (IOE) Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child's reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.

Independent Reading Purple 8

The Little Peacock

In a sunny California apartment, a young woman and her fiancé arrive to record her great-grandmother's story. The story that unfolds of Precious Orchid's life in China, where she rises from a childhood of shame to become one of the most successful courtesans in the land, is unlike any they've heard before. . . When Precious Orchid's father is falsely accused of a crime and found guilty, he is executed, leaving his family a legacy of dishonor. Her mother's only option is to enter a Buddhist nunnery, so she gives her daughter over to the care of her sister in Shanghai. At first, life at Peach Blossom Pavilion feels like a dream. Surrounded by exotic flowers, murmuring fountains, colorful fishponds, and bamboo groves, Precious Orchid sees herself thriving. She is schooled in music, literature, painting, calligraphy, and to her innocent surprise, the art of pleasuring men. For the beautiful Pavilion hides its darker purpose as an elite house of prostitution. And even as she commands the devotion of China's most powerful men, Precious Orchid never gives up on her dream to escape the Pavilion, be reunited with her mother, avenge her father's death, and find true love. And as the richest, most celebrated Ming Ji or "prestigious courtesan" in all of China, she just might have her way even if it comes with a devastating price. . . Sweeping in scope and stunning in its evocation of China, Peach Blossom Pavilion is a remarkable novel with an unforgettable heroine at the heart of its powerful story. . . "Riveting. . .a rare peek into an exotic culture that is thrilling, captivating, and moving." --Shobhan Bantwal, author of The Dowry Bride "In the sure voice of Precious Orchid, Mingmei Yip recounts thirteen tumultuous years of Chinese history: vicious politics, pristine piety and heartrending scandal, framed in the classical arts. She writes with a painter's fastidious eye and the irresistible energy of grand storytelling. The pages just turn themselves." --Neal Chandler, Director, Creative Writing Program of Cleveland State University. "Peach Blossom Pavilion, story of the last geisha in China, is told with amazing insight as if the author had lived in the tumultuous China of a century ago. Through her beautiful, lucid prose, Mingmei brings modern Western readers into the mysterious world of the cultivated courtesan." --Hannelore Hahn, Founder and Executive Director, International Women's Writing Guild. "Peach Blossom Pavilion is a vivid account of the forgotten past." --Chun Yu, author of Little Green: Growing Up During the Chinese Cultural Revolution

Peach Blossom Pavillion

Did you love Memoirs of a Geisha? Want to be swept away by an epic tale of intrigue, forbidden love and deadly rivalries?

Memoirs of a Courtesan

Chinese Children's Favorite Stories is a delightful selection of thirteen Chinese folktales as retold by author and illustrator Mingmei Yip. Inspired by her beloved father's nightly story-telling when she was a child, Yip hopes that by retelling some of these thousand-year-old Chinese stories she can pass along Chinese folklore and fables to international readers of all ages. These beautifully illustrated tales give children in other countries a glimpse into the traditions and culture of China, while emphasizing universal lessons about being kind and successfully overcoming obstacles. Readers will encounter many delightful characters—from an angry dragon to a wise cow—in stories such as: The Dream of the Butterfly—A sweet tale about accepting who you are and fully appreciating the world around you Carp Jumping Over the Dragon Gate—A popular story about the rewards of hard work Playing the Qin for the Water Buffalo—A musical tale that highlights empathy and understanding And many more! Recommended for children ages five to ten.

Fables, Myths and Fairy Tales

Chinese Children's Favorite Stories is a collection of thirteen timeless tales told and charmingly illustrated by Yip whose inspiration for retelling them came from her fatherAEs nightly story-telling when she was a child. Some of the selections are a thousand years old including: The Mouse Bride Dream of the Butterfly The Frog Who Lived in a Well How the Fox Tricked the Tiger Part of the Children's Favorite Stories series, this lovely book of Asian folktales and legends will appeal to young readers of all backgrounds while they learn more about Chinese traditions and culture.

In this richly imaginative novel, Mingmei Yip--author of Peach Blossom Pavilion and Petals From the Sky--follows one woman's daunting journey along China's fabled Silk Road. As a girl growing up in Hong Kong, Lily Lin was captivated by photographs of the desert--its long, lonely vistas and shifting sand dunes. Now living in New York, Lily is struggling to finish her graduate degree when she receives an astonishing offer. An aunt she never knew existed will pay Lily a huge sum to travel across China's desolate Taklamakan Desert--and carry out a series of tasks along the way. Intrigued, Lily accepts. Her assignments range from the dangerous to the bizarre. Lily must seduce a monk. She must scrape a piece of clay from the famous Terracotta Warriors, and climb the Mountains of Heaven to gather a rare herb. At Xian, her first stop, Lily meets Alex, a young American with whom she forms a powerful connection. And soon, she faces revelations that will redefine her past, her destiny, and the shocking truth behind her aunt's motivations. . . Powerful and eloquent, Song of the Silk Road is a captivating story of self-discovery, resonant with the mysteries of its haunting, exotic landscape.

With classic Chinese fairytales and folk stories, Grandma Panda's China Storybook introduces children to Chinese culture in a fun, adventurous way! Grandma Panda is a wonderful teacher, a wonderful storyteller and a wonderful cook! Her grandchildren, Baobao and Lingling, love staying with her every summer, because at Grandma Panda's house, each day is an adventure. This summer, with the help of celebrated novelist and artist Mingmei Yip, Grandma will take them to a world filled with Chinese calligraphy, kites, kung fu and more! They'll get to hear Grandma's stories of a time long ago in China, when everything began, and learn simple Chinese language along the way. Come join Grandma Panda, Baobao and Lingling for a summer of fun and learning as bright watercolor illustrations make favorite legends come alive! Chinese stories include: Yum Yum, We Love Dim Sum!—Grandma and the children go to a restaurant to enjoy dim sum. Grandma explains what dim sum is and tells the legend of how it was invented. Grandma Panda Teaches Us Chinese Writing—Grandma shows the children how to mix ink and hold their brushes. She shows them characters in both their ancient and present forms and tells them the story of four-eyed Cang Jie. Dotting the Dragon's Eyes—To explain the importance of paying attention to detail, Grandma tells the story of Zhang Sengyao. The Story of Mulan, the Brave Woman Warrior—Grandma tells the story of Mulan to teach the virtues of bravery, leadership, patriotism and determination. The Little Kungfu Warriors—The story of Mulan excites the little pandas into action, and they and grandma share a few moves. The Painted Faces of Chinese Opera—Grandma explains the meaning of the painted faces. Fun with Chinese Kites—Grandma takes the children kite flying and tells them the story of Luban the kite inventor. Grandma Panda Sings an Old Farewell Song—Grandma shows the children the Qin and sings "Three Variations on the Yang Pass"

Mingmei Yip

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