About this item
In a lost-and-found tale that soars far beyond just a happy ending, Taiwanese fine artist Belle Yang pays affectionate homage to the city of Beijing.In busy Beijing, New Year's Eve firecrackers scare a stray white cat into the courtyard of a young girl. The two become fast friends, riding the girl's bike through the city and seeing all kinds of people and things. Trrrring-trrrring! the girl chimes with her bicycle bell. Niaow-niaow! answers Kitty. On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, the girl and the cat watch the kites soaring above crowded, chaotic Tiananmen Square. Kitty is enthralled by the enormous, colorful dragon kite, and she leaps to catch it as it sails up into the sky - taking Kitty with it and carrying her out of sight! The girl searches the city, visiting all their favorite spots and ringing her bell along the way, but Kitty is nowhere to be found.
About the Author
Belle Yang, subject of the PBS documentary, 'My Name is Belle,' is frequently asked whether she is primarily a writer or a painter. Answer: "When I'm writing, I'm a writer; when I'm painting, I'm a painter." She is also asked whether she is a children's author or of adult books. Answer: "I write for children, adults and everyone in between. Now I am also a graphic novelist."Born in Taiwan, Belle Yang spent part of her childhood in Japan. At age seven she immigrated to the United States with her family. She attended Stirling University in Scotland, graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, in biology but went on to study art at Pasadena Art Center College of Design and the Beijing Institute of Traditional Chinese Painting.She worked and traveled in China for three years and returned to the United States late in 1989 after the Tiananmen Massacre.She returned with gratitude in her heart for the freedom of expression given her in America, certain she would firmly grasp this gift with both hands.Illustrated, adult nonfiction:Baba: A Return to China Upon My Father's Shoulders, 1994 Harcourt BraceThe Odyssey of a Manchurian, 1996 Harcourt BracePicture books:Hannah Is My Name, 2004 Candlewick PressAlways Come Home to Me, 2007 Candlewick Press. Awarded Chinese American Librarian Association Best Picture Book of 2008Chili-Chili-Chin-Chin, 1999 Harcourt BraceUpcoming WorksUpcoming works: A graphic with WW Norton. "Forget Sorrow: A China Elegy" "Foo the Flying Frog of Washtub Pond," Candlewick Press
