Cynsations

The Magic Horse of Han Gan by Chen Jiang Hong

The Magic Horse of Han Gan by Chen Jiang Hong (Enchanted Lion, 2006)(originally published in French as Le Cheval magique de Han Gan (2004)). A look into the life of painter Han Gan, who lived in China 1,200 ears ago, that incorporates a legend about one of the horses in his paintings coming to life. It’s always a high burden to offer art reflecting a great artist, but Hong more than succeeds. Magical, indeed, with an underlying theme of the relationship between art and peace. Ages 6-up. See a review from the February 2007 issue of The Edge of the Forest. See also my bibliography of children’s books with Chinese and Chinese American characters.