Read Keywords Through Good Books | This Week:“Tales Of Toys”
Dear Friends,
Hope you are having a great week.
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Recently, Thailand’s Bangkok Post reported on March 30 that “Tales Of Toys” is the theme for Thailand Toy Expo 2026 which will take everyone into a world of storytelling, art and imagination for four days from Thursday to Sunday at CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Road. Toys are not only companions of childhood, but also carriers of cultural memory and folk wisdom.
Here, we provide book recommendations on the topic of Tales Of Toys.
【Books of the Week】
Book Title: The Clay Whistle
Author: Wang Zumin
This book introduces the clay whistle, a Chinese intangible cultural heritage. The clay whistle is a toy that has existed for a thousand years. Made of clay, it is environmentally friendly, quaint and lovely, and has artistic value. The book presents a beautiful and touching connection between intangible cultural heritage and children’s picture book stories. With a fairy-tale-like narrative, simple and endearing characters, and delicate, freehand illustrations, it takes children into the warm and friendly rural world of traditional China, allowing them to appreciate the wonder and beauty of Chinese folk art.
Book Title: Chinese Toys
Author: Chen Guotai
Chinese Toys tells the story of toys in China from the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China period, all the way to the early 1980s following the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The author, Chen Guotai, is a Chinese toy collector and tin toy manufacturer. He spent thirty years combing through historical documents and interviewing veteran workers and designers from former state-owned toy factories, preserving many valuable oral archives. From these, he sorted out the development of China’s modern toy industry.
Book Title: Folk Toys
Author: Li Youyou
This book introduces Chinese folk toys, including their history and classification, along the main threads of seasons, customs and festivals. Chinese folk toys have a long history. Folk toys are rooted in folk customs, and then spread, developed and evolved among the masses. Full of rural flavor, these toys made by folk artisans contain profound cultural significance. With over 200 photographs of folk toys from different areas of China, this book will vividly introduce readers to traditional Chinese toys, including their significant cultural connotations.
Book Title: The Art of Chinese Living: An Inheritance of Tradition
Author: Yao Renxiang
This book series is divided into four volumes according to the four seasons. The structure of each volume includes: Festivals and Solar Terms, Food as Heaven, Artisan Crafts, Family Wisdom, and Life Notes.“Festivals and Solar Terms” introduces the major festivals and solar terms of each season, painting a warm picture of seasonal celebrations through the origins, history, and customs of the festivals.The volume for Winter also provides a detailed explanation of leisure activities during the Chinese New Year, such as mahjong, Chinese chess, and Go.
Book Title: Antique Toys
Author: Li Yinghao
This book features over 600 rare and interesting vintage toys, including various antique toy cars, trains, airplanes, small steamboats, teddy bears, dolls, robots, tin toys, and more. Printed in full color, it is gorgeous and pleasing to the eye, offering great value for appreciation and reference.
We’ll be sharing great reads on a regular basis. Stay tuned!