Rabbit is eating breakfast with his friends Baby Squirrel, Young Porcupine, and Little Brother Panda when an unexpected visitor arrives. He is a master builder, searching for inspiration to design a great palace for the Emperor of China, which will become the Forbidden City. Together, Uncle Builder and the little animals explore how nature supplies us
with the wonders that enrich our lives.
Created by internationally renowned children’s book artists Brian Tse and Alice Mak, this book teaches children about Chinese architecture, how nature’s influence can be seen around us, and how people and animals can live together in harmony. The illustrations capture the majesty of both the natural world and the Forbidden City and are enhanced by animations and interactive components for readers. The text can be read in either English or as simplified Chinese characters. English and Chinese narration is provided by American actress Jacqueline Emerson, making this e-book app a useful tool for language learning.
This e-book app is part of the educational program We All Live in the Forbidden City.
Ages 4-9
About WE ALL LIVE IN THE FORBIDDEN CITY
In 2008 the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation collaborated with the Design and Cultural Studies Workshop in Hong Kong to create the We All Live in the Forbidden City (WALFC) program. Using a contemporary voice and a variety of media formats, this program celebrates the Forbidden City and the study of architecture, imperial life, and Chinese cultural history in ways that are accessible, appealing, and relevant to children, parents, students, teachers, and the general public. Working with China Institute in America, this program has been brought to an English-language audience with four books, e-books, education programs, and an associated website.