For Immediate Release
We All Live in the Forbidden City China Institute in America
New York City – This October, China Institute in America is launching We All Live in the Forbidden City (WALFC), an exciting education program designed to teach children about Chinese architecture, history, and culture as seen through the lens of Beijing’s Forbidden City, one of the world’s most fascinating landmarks.
WALFC originated in Hong Kong and is the brainchild of The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation, Design and Cultural Studies Workshop, and the internationally renowned children’s book creators Brian Tse and Alice Mak. Endorsed by the Palace Museum in Beijing, this dynamic and accessible program celebrates the Forbidden City, imperial life, and cultural history through an entertaining collection of children’s books, e-books, and educational workshops.
China Institute’s President James B. Heimowitz says, “China Institute is delighted to be partnering with The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation and Design and Cultural Studies Workshop to bring We All Live in the Forbidden City to English-language audiences in North America and around the world. These colourful and entertaining books and their corresponding educational programs have been designed to be fun-filled for children of all ages…And, I am confident they will further our joint mission to advance a deeper understanding of Chinese cultures across global communities.”
The first two English language books in this series, In the Forbidden City and This is the Greatest Place!, will be published by China Institute in America on October 14 and are receiving global distribution by Tuttle Publishing. E-book apps will be produced for each book, including audio and text in Mandarin and English, along with additional interactive elements to build on themes of the books.
“Having supported these books published in traditional Chinese characters in Hong Kong and simplified Chinese in mainland China, it is only natural that we make these award-winning books more widely available to an English language audience,” said Robert Y. C. Ho, Chairman of The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation. “We hope this wonderful English language version, developed in collaboration with China Institute, will help bridge the gap between East and West, and continue to inform and entertain young people around the world.”
In addition to the books, there will also be a website (walfc.org) offering games and activities with resources for parents and teachers created to make cultural learning accessible in both the home and the classroom. Interactive workshops for children and educators are being brought to various school, museums, bookstores, and other venues throughout the United States and Canada.
The official launches for We All Live in the Forbidden City will be held in Vancouver on October 18 and New York City on October 25.
About the Books
This is the Greatest Place! The Forbidden City and the World of Small Animals Brian Tse, author; Alice Mak, illustrator; Ben Wang, translator; Nancy S. Steinhardt, editor
Rabbit is eating breakfast with his friends Baby Squirrel, Young Porcupine, and Little Brother Panda when an unexpected visitor arrives. He is a master builder, searching for inspiration to design a great palace for the Emperor of China. Together, Uncle Builder and the little animals explore how nature supplies us with the wonders that enrich our lives.
Created by internationally renowned children’s book artists Brian Tse and Alice Mak, this book teaches children about Chinese architecture, how nature’s influence can be seen around us, and how people and animals can live together in harmony. The illustrations capture the majesty of both the natural world and the Forbidden City and are enhanced by interactive components for readers, including a gatefold spread and lift-flaps.
Brian Tse and Alice Mak are beloved the world over for their heart warming and educational stories for children. They are the creators of the iconic cartoon characters McMug and McDull, who have been featured in numerous award-winning works including books, comics, television shows, and movies.
Ben Wang (translator) is a senior lecturer in humanities at China Institute, an instructor of Chinese at the United Nations, and guest lecturer at numerous prestigious academic and cultural institutions. His lectures on and translations of Kunqu dramas have been reviewed and acclaimed three times by the New York Times, and in 1988 he received the National Prize in Literature Translation from the National Literary Association of Taiwan for his translation into Chinese of Growing Up by Russell Baker.
Ages 4-9 Format: 9-1/20” x 8-3/20” Hardcover Pages: 36pp + 8pp gatefold Price: $12.95 (U.S.)/$14.95 (Canada) Release Date: October 14, 2014
In the Forbidden City Chiu Kwong-chiu, author; Design and Cultural Studies Workshop, design and illustrations; Ben Wang, translator; Nancy S. Steinhardt, editor
Serving as the seat of imperial power for six centuries, the Forbidden City is one of China’s most famous and enigmatic landmarks. Accompanied by a mischievous cat, readers will tour this colossal architectural structure, discovering the secrets hidden inside the palace walls. They will encounter the people who have walked through its halls and gardens, including emperors, empresses, and rebel leaders, and hear exciting tales about the power struggles and intrigues of everyday life.
This large format book conveys the grandeur of the Forbidden City through highly detailed line drawings of its buildings, gardens, and courtyards with numerous foldout spreads. Each page is populated by a large variety of characters and peppered with entertaining anecdotes. Every book includes a plastic magnifying glass for looking at the drawings more closely.
Chiu Kwong-chiu is an artist, designer, and professor who explores Chinese traditional visual arts along with adopting ground-breaking ways to interpret and promote Chinese art and culture. He founded The Design and Cultural Studies Workshop (CnC) in Hong Kong, where he provides guidance and leadership in the research, interpretation and promotion of traditional and contemporary design and Chinese culture.
Ages 9 and up Format: 11” x 11” Hardcover Pages: 48pp Price: $19.95 (U.S.)/$22.95 (Canada) Release Date: October 14, 2014
About the Children’s Workshops
China Institute will be launching two children's workshops at the time the book launch. The first workshop, "The Palace is Like A Big Forest," explores how nature inspired the building of the Forbidden City and how our interactions with nature enrich and nurture the world around us. In the second workshop, "How Are You Mr. Emperor?", students learn about the life of Chinese emperors, compare it to their own, and talk about what it takes to be a good leader. Both workshops are an hour long and carefully coordinate different teaching tools and teaching methods, including animated videos, large visual cut-outs, discussions, and games to make Chinese culture interesting and relevant to all types of students. These workshops are targeted at students in grades 3-5 and will be brought to schools in the New York city area and throughout North America.
About the Professional Development Program
For K-12 educators China Institute is offering a professional development workshop titled "China and the Forbidden City," which will explore the history and cultural traditions of China through the Forbidden City and discuss ways that teachers can bring China into the classroom. Additional resources for teachers will be made available on the website www.walfc.org, including lesson plans and informational essays, and we will be producing print materials that teachers can use, including a large Forbidden City poster map.
Special Events
Program Launch - Vancouver Saturday, October 18, 2014 ~ 12:00 to 4:00 pm Library Square Conference Centre @ Vancouver Public Library Free
This October China Institute is kicking off the exciting new publishing and education program We All Live in the Forbidden City in Canada at the Vancouver Public Library. At this family festival celebrating Chinese history and culture, there will be music and dance performances from the Orchid Ensemble and the Lorita Leung Dance Company, games, crafts, and a special book reading from actress Olivia Cheng. Prizes will be given out throughout the day and to the first 50 guests. Registration is not required.
Program Launch – New York City Saturday, October 25, 2014 ~ 12:00 to 4:00 pm 19 University Place @ 8th Street Free
At this family festival celebrating Chinese history and culture, there will be music and dance performances from Ba Ban Chinese Music Society and Ling Tang, games, crafts, and more. Prizes will be given out throughout the day and to the first 50 guests. Registration is not required. This event is co-sponsored with New York University China House.
National Council for the Social Studies Conference November 21-23 John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, Boston Presentation, “China and the Forbidden City”
ChinaFest Family Day Saturday, January 3 2015 ~ 11am-3pm Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond
About China Institute
China Institute advances a deeper understanding of China through programs in education, culture, business, and art in the belief that cross-cultural understanding strengthens our global community.
Founded in 1926 by a group of American and Chinese educators, China Institute in America is the oldest bicultural non-profit organization in the U.S. to focus exclusively on China. The organization promotes the appreciation of Chinese heritage and provides the historical context for understanding contemporary China. Programs, activities, courses, and seminars are offered on the visual and performing arts, culture, history, music, philosophy, language, and literature for the general public, children, and teachers, as well as for business.
About The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation
Established in Hong Kong in 2005, The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation is a private philanthropic organization engaged in strategic, long-term projects in Hong Kong and around the world. Its mission is to foster and support Chinese arts and culture and to promote a deeper understanding of Buddhist teachings and their application in everyday life. The Foundation supports efforts that make traditional Chinese arts accessible and relevant to audiences worldwide. It also supports the creation of new works that bring innovative perspectives to the history of Chinese art, and that improve the quality and accessibility of scholarship on Chinese art. Guided by a belief that the insights of Buddhism have a vital role to play in approaching the challenges facing contemporary society, The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation has committed substantial resources to expanding the understanding, interpretation, and application of Buddhist philosophy. To learn more about The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation and its activities, please visit www.rhfamilyfoundation.org.
About The Design and Cultural Studies Workshop Limited (CnC)
Established by Mr. Chiu Kwong-chiu in 2001, The Design and Cultural Studies Workshop Limited (CnC) is a charitable organization in Hong Kong dedicated to the research, analysis, interpretation and promotion of traditional Chinese culture as well as contemporary art and design. The key research topics are “culture,” “design” and “Hong Kong.” Via multiple platforms, including book publications, digital media, exhibitions, and educational workshops, CnC collaborates earnestly with different organizations in China, Hong Kong and overseas on its promotional programs. These programs aim to enhance the awareness, level of understanding and interest in learning about traditional Chinese culture among the general public.
The “We All Live in the Forbidden City” education program, sponsored by The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation, was launched in 2011. It has since become one of most recognized & successful CnC programs.
To learn more about The Design and Cultural Studies Workshop Limited and its activities, please visit http://cnc.org.hk
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For questions about We All Live in the Forbidden City, please contact Michael Buening at [email protected] or Eva Wen at [email protected].
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