Eight Dragons on the Roof and Other Tales

This delightful collection of twenty-five traditional stories and folktales—some dating back more than one thousand years—all feature a dragon theme and have been part of the Chinese storytelling tradition for generations. Included are works such as noted author Pu Songling's The Rakshas and the Sea Market, featuring the fantastic narrative of a dragon palace beneath the waves. In addition, the myriad cast of characters, including mysterious spirits, princesses, philosophers, magicians, and much more, makes this an ideal book for younger readers to devour and helps them understand why the dragon is so important in Chinese culture. The dragons in this book are fierce, playful, tragic, and noble, but all of the stories reflect the deep respect and reverence that Chinese culture places on the dragon. As 2012 is the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese calendar, this wonderful collection is sure to capture the attention of a new generation of readers. As subjects of mythology and folklore, the appeal of dragons is timeless.