Kai The Dancing Butterfly by Crystal L. Zee
Book Blurb:
Kai
and Ami are dancing butterflies from Taiwan! They have a performance
coming up at the Winter Festival dance show in the southern part of the
island. They are currently in northern Taiwan, so they need to hurry and
start flying south. That's far for a butterfly! Kai is worried about
the long journey, and about the big show too. Can Kai step up to the
challenge?
Kai the Dancing Butterfly celebrates
Taiwan's natural scenic wonders, amazing animal species, and incredible
Indigenous cultures. This children's book is a marvelous read for all
those who love Taiwan, or for those who'd like to learn more about
Taiwanese culture. This elaborately illustrated picture book makes an
ideal gift:
*Real locations in Taiwan make for an inspiring geography, history and cultural lesson
*Storyline sparks dialogue around empathy, kindness, courage, faith, perseverance, friendship, and the support between siblings
*Exquisite
illustrations of Taiwan's majestic animals and endangered species
fosters learning around ecological conservation and habitat protection
Meet the Author:
Crystal Z. Lee is a bilingual writer who grew up in Taiwan and California. She has called many places home, including Taipei, New York, Shanghai, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Crystal is also the author of the children's book A Unicorn Named Rin, and the novel, Love and Other Moods.
Q:
What was your inspiration for Kai the Dancing Butterfly? Why
butterflies?
A: Taiwan
has over 400 species of butterflies, 50 of which are endemic to the island!
Taiwan is also home to the beautiful purple crow butterfly population, which
makes up one of the planet's largest butterfly migration overwintering
congregation. My children and I adore butterflies, so I was inspired to write a
children's book about this unique butterfly species from Taiwan, where I grew
up as a child. The illustrator, Allie Su, was also raised in Taiwan, so this is
very much as “own voices” story!
Q: Why was writing this book so
important or personal for you?
A: I grew up in Taipei and had
always dreamt of sharing the beautiful sights and facets of Taiwan in a book.
There are some excellent children's books about Taiwan out on the market right
now, but most of them focus on holidays, relatives, or food. I love all of
these aspects too, but wanted to highlight Taiwan's natural scenic wonders and
amazing animal species!
Q: What was your inspiration for the
emphasis on Taiwanese Indigenous tribal clothing in the illustrations?
A: Along with illustrator Allie Su, we
researched special Taiwanese Indigenous attire and incorporated them into the
story. It's our hope that this story can shed light on the plight of Indigenous
tribes in Taiwan.
Q: Tell us about your personal
history with Taiwan.
A: My paternal great-grandfather was
a journalist in Taiwan who aided the anti-Japanese colonial efforts. My
maternal great-grandfather was a school principal in Taichung, and my maternal
grandmother was a teacher in Taipei. My maternal grandfather worked at a bank,
and his brother was a famous painter who held gallery shows. I grew up hearing
all of their stories.
Q: Fun facts about Taiwan you'd like
to share?
A: -Taiwan is the size of Belgium
but has twice as many people.
-Taiwan ranked as the eighth-strongest democracy in the world, according
to the Economist Intelligence Unit's
new 2021 Democracy Index.
-Taiwan implements a National Health
Insurance program which is considered one of the best universal healthcare
systems in the world.
-Half a million people in Taiwan identify with a Taiwanese Indigenous
tribe.
-Taiwan is home 400 butterfly species, 50 of which are endemic.
Q: Favorite Taiwanese films based in
Taiwan?
A: Some recent Taiwanese movies I've
enjoyed: American Girl, Dear Ex, My Missing Valentine.
KIA AND THE DANCING BUTTERFLY Book Tour Giveaway
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