1925 collection of short stories by Arthur Bowie Chrisman
Shen of the Sea is a collection of short stories written by Arthur Bowie Chrisman. It was first published by Dutton in 1925, illustrated with more than 50 silhouettes by Else Hasselriis.[1] Chrisman won the 1926 Newbery Medal for the work, recognizing the previous year's "most distinguished contribution to American literature for children".
The original title page shows subtitle A Book for Children[1] and one early dustjacket shows Chinese Stories for Children. Both subtitles have been used for later editions.[2]
Chrisman's 16 original stories are written in the style of humorous Chinese folk tales. The title story tells of a king who tries to match wits with the demons of the water in order to save his city from a flood. Other tales relate the origin of chopsticks, and an instance when mud pies are revealed to be the origin of fine China.
Stories
- Ah Mee's Invention - about the invention of the printing press
- Shen of the Sea - a story about tricking demons to save a kingdom
- How Wise Were the Old Men - a story about prophecy and the twists life take
- Chop-Sticks - about the invention of chop sticks
- Buy a Father - a story about morality, primarily obedience
- Four Generals - a story about using cleverness to overcome
- The Rain King's Daughter - a story about a young woman who uses cleverness to avoid a war
- Many Wives - a story about a beautiful young maiden and a not so bright king
- That Lazy Ah Fun - about the invention of gunpowder
- The Moon Maiden - a love story
- Ah Tcha the Sleeper - a story about tea
- I Wish It Would Rain - a story about an over indulged queen
- High as Han Hsin - about the invention of the kite
- Contrary Chueh Chun - a funny story about a man who always does or believes the opposite
- Pies of the Princess - the invention of fine china
- As Hai Low Kept House - a funny story about following orders literally and a series of unfortunate circumstances
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shen of the Sea.
Wikisource has original text related to this article:
Shen of the Sea
References
- ^ a b c d "Shen of the sea; a book for children," (first ed.). Library of Congress Online Catalog. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
- ^ Undated title pages of three Dutton editions, displayed at Google Books (books.google.com), show the former subtitle reported as 1925 and 1958, the latter reported as 1968.
External links
