Where It All Began Part 2

Following on from my earlier post here is another book that I remember from my childhood. When I was in Paris earlier this year and at the amazing department store Compagnie Francaise de l'Orient et de la Chine I saw a copy of this book on the shelf and my heart fluttered nostalgically. I hadn't looked at the book in years and was pleasantly suprised to find some revolutionary Chinese art cards tucked inside when I opened it (see bonus section below). The book has page after page of amazing acrobatic feats all depicted in glorious Technicolor. Here are just a few for you:


Looking at this picture I remembered being fascinated by an episode of Sesame Street where Big Bird visited China and met some 'lions'. Wasn't there a big dog on Sesame Street who looked a bit like a Chinese lion? After some research (Googled it!) I found this clip where Big Bird and the dog (Barkley) are taught a few Chinese words by a very cute little girl:



Back to the book and another ingenious way of holding a vase:










Bonus Section: Revolutionary Chinese Art Cards
Positive depictions of agriculture and industry.

Where It All Began Part 1

People often ask me when my fascination with Chinese and East Asian culture began and I am still working on a suitable amusing anecdote to tell. There was no great epiphany and as with so many things in life it just sort of happened. It was gradual and accumulative, starting most likely with food. My parents have been eating out regularly in London’s Chinatown for nearly 40 years. I was taken as a baby in my crib and I must have loved the smell of char siew pork and steamed rice from an early age! Another influence were the books I had as a child that were around the house. In particular there were 3 important ones, the first was given to me by some family friends when I was born (“for baby Baxter” is written inside); Pictures by Chinese Children. It’s a wonderful book full of illustrations of everyday life in China, as drawn by kids. I have scanned in some of my favourite pictures for you below.
There are two other books that were also influential; I shall post about them soon. I hope you enjoy looking at these pictures.