Jean and Mou-sien Tseng

  The husband and wife team of illustrators grew up in Taiwan and met at art school. In 1984 they emigrated to the US and began work in the textile and film animation. Their first children's book was the Seven Chinese Brothers (1990, Scholastic, Ages 4 to 8, $4.99) written by Margaret Mahy. It was selected as an ALA Notable Book, and they have since illustrated eighteen more. Asian folklore predominates with titles like The Ghost Fox, River Dragon, Dragon Kite of the Autumn Moon, The City of Dragons, Dragon Parade ( All Chinese), The Two Brothers (Cambodian), Why Ducks Sleep on One Leg (Vietnamese), Tales from the Bamboo Grove (Korean), Three Strong Women (Japanese), and Sato and the Elephants (Japanese). Among the more recent Asian subjects are The Khan's Daughter by Laurence Yep who retells a Mongolian folktale (1997, Scholastic Press, Ages 7 to 10, $16.95). According to our reviewer, Uma Krishnaswami, "The Tsengs' illustrations, brilliantly colored and splashed with gold, are dazzling." Also out this June is Fa Mulan written by Robert D. San Souci (1998, Hyperion, Ages 5 to 9, $14.95). This Chinese legend tells of the brave warrior maid who is both courageous and wise.

  The Tsengs do undertake other subjects and literary forms. Among my favorites are Maples in the Mist, a collection of children's poems from the Tang Dynasty translated by Mingfong Ho (1996, Lothrop, Ages 7 up, $15.00) and Have You Seen Trees? by Joanne Oppenheim (1995, Scholastic, Ages 4 up, $14.95) which was selected as an Outstanding Science Tradebook for Children. In the former, our reviewer Sheree van Vreede writes "You cannot help but feel linked to the 2,000 year history surrounding these Chinese poems when scanning over their mythical lyrics. Composed during the Golden Age of China, these poems reflect the peace and prosperity of these times when the arts flourished. Children of all nationalities can experience the culture, as the poems are interwoven into the Chinese lifestyle. Vibrant illustrations, as well as the Chinese writing, surround each poem."

  Reviewer Mary Sue Preissner commented as follows on my personal favorite-Have You Seen Trees? The full-page pen and watercolor illustrations jump from the pages of this poetic dissertation on trees. The rhythm "high trees, wide trees, reaching to the sky trees" or "budding, bursting, blooming trees" is sure to capture the read-aloud audience as will the beautiful artwork. At the end, the author and illustrators have identified 16 trees and their leaves. It's a great book to read before a nature walk.

  The Tsengs believe that their approach to working together is unusual. When a manuscript arrives, they read it, and then each develops a set of thumbnail sketches with their own unique approach to the story. The next step in the process is to discuss the merits of each illustration and select the one that best fits the text. They also vary their style for each book to impart a different look. That so many of their books are still in print, gives testament to their artist success.

Contributor: Marilyn Courtot

Reviews

Dragon Kite of the Autumn Moon
Valerie Reddix
Illustrated by Jean and Mou-Sien Tseng
  Tad-Tin is sad because it is the annual Kite Day and for every year since he can remember, grandfather has made a kite that they have flown. In Taiwan, this ancient custom offered a way for the cares and troubles to fly away. When the kite lands, traditional also requires that it be burned to prevent the troubles from escaping. This year grandfather is ill and there is no kite, but Tad-Tin remembers that he has a beautiful dragon kite that his grandfather had made when he was born. It was flown annually to celebrate his birthday and the rest of the time it hung over Tad-Tin's bed. He loved that kite, but he believes that flying it may help his grandfather get well. It is a loving story beautifully illustrated by acclaimed artists who lived in Taiwan. Kids will really enjoy the beautiful dragon kite that fills several spreads. 1991, Lothrop, Ages 4 up, $14.00 and $13.93. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot

Have You Seen Trees?
Joanne Oppenheim
Illustrated by Jean and Mou-sien Tseng
  The full-page pen and watercolor illustrations jump from the pages of this poetic dissertation on trees. The rhythm "high trees, wide trees, reaching to the sky trees" or "budding, bursting, blooming trees" is sure to capture the read-aloud audience as will the beautiful artwork. At the end, the author and illustrators have identified 16 trees and their leaves. A great book to read before a nature walk. 1995, Scholastic, Ages 5 to 10, $14.95. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner

The Khan's Daughter
Laurence Yep
Illustrated by Jean and Mou-Sien Tseng
  From the pen of Laurence Yep comes this retold Mongolian folktale of a prophecy, a poor shepherd's son, and the daughter of the great Khan. The Tsengs' illustrations, brilliantly colored and splashed with gold, are dazzling. Yep's text, for the most part, is well-paced, and the story makes its points on both courage and gender most effectively. Be aware that this is not the book to persuade your kid to eat sesame seeds. 1997, Scholastic Press, Ages 7 to 10, $16.95. Reviewer: Uma Krishnaswami

Maples in the Mist: Children's Poems from the Tang Dynasty
Illustrated by Jean and Mou-sien Tseng
Translated by Minfong Ho
  You cannot help but feel linked to the 2000-year history surrounding these Chinese poems when scanning their mythical lyrics. Composed during the Golden Age of China, these poems reflect the peace and prosperity of these times when the arts flourished. It is no wonder that many Chinese children learn to read by reading these poems they are representative of the Chinese lifestyle. Now children of all nationalities can experience them. The vibrant illustrations, as well as the Chinese characters, surround each poem. At the end of the book there are short biographies of each of the authors, which provides more background about these ancient writings. 1996, Lothrop, Lee, & Shepard Books, Ages 7 up, $15.00. Reviewer: Sheree Van Vreede

Sato and the Elephants
Juanita Havill
Illustrated by Jean Tseng and Mou-Sien Tseng
  A young Japanese boy wants to carve ivory as beautifully as his father. When his father dies, Sato is good enough to begin selling his work, but big pieces of ivory are harder and harder to find. One day Sato gets a perfect chunk of ivory and, after a lot of thought, he knows he wants to make an elephant. As he cuts away the ivory, he sees a dark spot and to his horror, he discovers that it's a bullet. Only then does Sato begin to realize where ivory really come from. By the end of the book, Sato is able to change his dream so it works for him and the elephants, too. 1993, Lothrop, Ages 6 up, $15.00, $14.93. Reviewer: Susie Wilde

Tales From the Bamboo Grove
Yoko Kawashima Watkins
Illustrated by Jean & Mou-sien Tseng
  When Yoka Kawashima Watkins lived in Korea, her parents kept alive their Japanese culture by telling folktales that seemed to fit precisely a situation with which they were coping. That collection is this book. Which provides another lesson in cultural vitality. 1992, Bradbury, Ages 7 to 11. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman

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