An epic and lyrical take on Yuan, Duke Ling of Wei, and his beloved, Mi Zi Xia, who shared a peach circa 500 BCE, inspiring generations of people to use the expression “Love of the Half-Eaten Peach” in Chinese to describe romantic love between men.
An epic and lyrical take on Yuan, Duke Ling of Wei, and his beloved, Mi Zi Xia, who shared a peach circa 500 BCE, inspiring generations of people to use the expression “Love of the Half-Eaten Peach” in Chinese to describe romantic love between men. Read Less Description
Love of the Half-Eaten Peach Trade Book (Paperback)
Written ByLee Wind
Illustrated byJieting Chen
Written ByLee Wind
Illustrated byJieting Chen
Critically Reviewed
Critically Reviewed
An epic and lyrical take on Yuan, Duke Ling of Wei, and his beloved, Mi Zi Xia, who shared a peach circa 500 BCE, inspiring generations of people to use the expression “Love of the Half-Eaten Peach” in Chinese to describe romantic love between men.
An epic and lyrical take on Yuan, Duke Ling of Wei, and his beloved, Mi Zi Xia, who shared a peach circa 500 BCE, inspiring generations of people to use the expression “Love of the Half-Eaten Peach” in Chinese to describe romantic love between men. Read Less Description
An epic and lyrical take on Yuan, Duke Ling of Wei, and his beloved, Mi Zi Xia, who shared a peach circa 500 BCE, inspiring generations of people to use the expression “Love of the Half-Eaten Peach” in Chinese to describe romantic love between men.
Lee Wind writes the books that would have changed his life as a young Gay Jewish kid. He is the author of the acclaimed picture book, Red and Green and Blue and White and the award-winning nonfiction title for readers ages 11 and up, No Way, They Were Gay?Hidden Lives and Secret Loves. Lee lives in Los Angeles with his husband of more than 25 years, and they have a grown daughter. Visit him at leewind.org.
Jieting Chen
Jieting Chen is an illustrator, animator, and designer. She has produced and directed several award-winning animation shorts. Her illustrations are strongly influenced by Oriental paintings.
Reviews
“What a treat! This book is as sweet and tender as a perfectly ripe peach. Inspired by a true story that took place more than 2,500 years ago, Lee Wind’s gorgeously-written, sparse poetic text and Jieting Chen’s elegantly-painted, exquisite illustrations complement each other beautifully in this quiet book that speaks volumes about the power of everlasting love.”
—Lesléa Newman, author of Joyful Song: A Naming Story and Heather Has Two Mommies
“It’s a remarkable story, one of the few with gay characters that I’ve ever encountered.” —Betsy Bird, Fuse #8 Production, Love of the Half-Eaten Peach: A Lee Wind Q&A and Cover Reveal
“Love of the Half-Eaten Peach reads both like a fairytale and a slice of history, like a voyage of discovery and a story of love. Lee Wind has found a voice that goes between history and love that children and adults (both gay and straight) can celebrate and retell over and over again.” —Jane Yolen, author of Owl Moon, the How Do Dinosaurs… series
“This deliciously illustrated tale is a feast for all the senses. But, of all the things to love about this book (and there are a lot), I love the love story best.”
—Heidi EY Stemple, author of She Sells Sea Shells and We Celebrate the Light
“An epic queer love story - deliciously sublime. Savor every word.”
—Michael Genhart, PhD, author of the forthcoming picture book Edie for Equality: Edie Windsor Stands Up for Love.
“A unique story that celebrates queer love and Chinese folklore, and a distinctive addition to the LGBTQIA+ shelves.” —School Library Journal Review
Set in ancient China, this story is inspired by the real-life romantic relationship between Yuan, Duke Ling of Wei, and the man he loved, Mi Zi Xia. Wind’s spare text is full of poetic turns of phrases (“on his tongue 999 cranes took flight”) and striking similes (“The riddle weighed on Yuan, like a long winter robe soaked by rain”). Chen’s delicate ink-and-watercolor illustrations elegantly evoke the time period. An author’s note provides more information about the expression “love of the half-eaten peach” and its historical use to signify love between men in China. A tender picture book with folktale-like flourishes. – Booklist
“A lyrical and gorgeously illustrated retelling of an ancient Chinese legend celebrating the love between two men.” —Mombian
"Inspired by a true story from Chinese history, this painterly picture book serves as a reminder that queer people—and queer love—have always existed.” —Foreword Reviews
An epic and lyrical take on Yuan, Duke Ling of Wei, and his beloved, Mi Zi Xia, who shared a peach circa 500 BCE, inspiring generations of people to use the expression “Love of the Half-Eaten Peach” in Chinese to describe romantic love between men.
An epic and lyrical take on Yuan, Duke Ling of Wei, and his beloved, Mi Zi Xia, who shared a peach circa 500 BCE, inspiring generations of people to use the expression “Love of the Half-Eaten Peach” in Chinese to describe romantic love between men. Read Less Description
Details:
SKUWW-NL6444
ISBN9781478881889
Series
Reycraft Books
Lexile level830L
Genre
Historical Fiction
Language
English
Juvenile Fiction / G
Juvenile Fiction / Gay & Lesbian Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Asia Juvenile Fiction / Love & Romance
Full Description
An epic and lyrical take on Yuan, Duke Ling of Wei, and his beloved, Mi Zi Xia, who shared a peach circa 500 BCE, inspiring generations of people to use the expression “Love of the Half-Eaten Peach” in Chinese to describe romantic love between men.
Author & Illustrator
Lee Wind
Lee Wind writes the books that would have changed his life as a young Gay Jewish kid. He is the author of the acclaimed picture book, Red and Green and Blue and White and the award-winning nonfiction title for readers ages 11 and up, No Way, They Were Gay?Hidden Lives and Secret Loves. Lee lives in Los Angeles with his husband of more than 25 years, and they have a grown daughter. Visit him at leewind.org.
Jieting Chen
Jieting Chen is an illustrator, animator, and designer. She has produced and directed several award-winning animation shorts. Her illustrations are strongly influenced by Oriental paintings.
Reviews
“What a treat! This book is as sweet and tender as a perfectly ripe peach. Inspired by a true story that took place more than 2,500 years ago, Lee Wind’s gorgeously-written, sparse poetic text and Jieting Chen’s elegantly-painted, exquisite illustrations complement each other beautifully in this quiet book that speaks volumes about the power of everlasting love.”
—Lesléa Newman, author of Joyful Song: A Naming Story and Heather Has Two Mommies
“It’s a remarkable story, one of the few with gay characters that I’ve ever encountered.” —Betsy Bird, Fuse #8 Production, Love of the Half-Eaten Peach: A Lee Wind Q&A and Cover Reveal
“Love of the Half-Eaten Peach reads both like a fairytale and a slice of history, like a voyage of discovery and a story of love. Lee Wind has found a voice that goes between history and love that children and adults (both gay and straight) can celebrate and retell over and over again.” —Jane Yolen, author of Owl Moon, the How Do Dinosaurs… series
“This deliciously illustrated tale is a feast for all the senses. But, of all the things to love about this book (and there are a lot), I love the love story best.”
—Heidi EY Stemple, author of She Sells Sea Shells and We Celebrate the Light
“An epic queer love story - deliciously sublime. Savor every word.”
—Michael Genhart, PhD, author of the forthcoming picture book Edie for Equality: Edie Windsor Stands Up for Love.
“A unique story that celebrates queer love and Chinese folklore, and a distinctive addition to the LGBTQIA+ shelves.” —School Library Journal Review
Set in ancient China, this story is inspired by the real-life romantic relationship between Yuan, Duke Ling of Wei, and the man he loved, Mi Zi Xia. Wind’s spare text is full of poetic turns of phrases (“on his tongue 999 cranes took flight”) and striking similes (“The riddle weighed on Yuan, like a long winter robe soaked by rain”). Chen’s delicate ink-and-watercolor illustrations elegantly evoke the time period. An author’s note provides more information about the expression “love of the half-eaten peach” and its historical use to signify love between men in China. A tender picture book with folktale-like flourishes. – Booklist
“A lyrical and gorgeously illustrated retelling of an ancient Chinese legend celebrating the love between two men.” —Mombian
"Inspired by a true story from Chinese history, this painterly picture book serves as a reminder that queer people—and queer love—have always existed.” —Foreword Reviews
