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The Emperor's New Clothes: A Tale Set in China
Long ago in a province in China there lived an emperor whose greatest pleasure in life was to dress in new clothes.
So begins Demi's retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale about a proud emperor who does not see what is obvious until he hears the truth from a child.
Based upon several different translations of the original Danish story, Demi's tale is set in old provincial China. Filled with exquisite details, bright panoramas, and golden hues that leap off a wealth of fold-out pages, this story lures readers into a magical place and time. The story follows the four seasons of the year and is packed with visual elements of Chinese culture for readers to pore over for hours.
Demi has captured in text and paintings all the majesty of China and all the magic that makes for the very best fairy tales. This elegant edition of a favorite story is sure to be cherished by all.
42 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2000
About the author
Demi
182 books179 followersDemi (September 2, 1942) born Charlotte Dumaresq Hunt, is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator. During her career she has published over 300 titles.
Demi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is the great-grand daughter of the American painter William Morris Hunt, and the great-grand niece of architect Richard Morris Hunt. Demi earned her nickname as a young child when her father started calling her demi because she was half the size of her sister.
She studied art at Instituto Allende, Mexico, and with Sister Corita at the Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles. She was a Fulbright scholar at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India where she received her Master’s degree.
Demi is known for her biographies for spiritual figures including Buddha, Krishna, Lao Tzu, Jesus, Mary (mother of Jesus), Muhammad, Rumi, Francis of Assisi, Gandhi, and the Dalai Lama.
In 1990, Demi and her husband Tze-si “Jesse” Huang represented the United States at the First Children’s International Book Conference in Beijing.
Source: Wikipedia
Demi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is the great-grand daughter of the American painter William Morris Hunt, and the great-grand niece of architect Richard Morris Hunt. Demi earned her nickname as a young child when her father started calling her demi because she was half the size of her sister.
She studied art at Instituto Allende, Mexico, and with Sister Corita at the Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles. She was a Fulbright scholar at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India where she received her Master’s degree.
Demi is known for her biographies for spiritual figures including Buddha, Krishna, Lao Tzu, Jesus, Mary (mother of Jesus), Muhammad, Rumi, Francis of Assisi, Gandhi, and the Dalai Lama.
In 1990, Demi and her husband Tze-si “Jesse” Huang represented the United States at the First Children’s International Book Conference in Beijing.
Source: Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 21, 2019
Hans Christian Andersen's famous tale is transplanted to China in this retelling by the prolific Demi, whose many folkloric picture-books for children include
One Grain Of Rice
and
Liang and the Magic Paintbrush
. When a vain emperor with a taste for fine clothing is taken in by two con artists posing as a weaver and tailor, all his advisors are likewise fooled. It takes a clear-eyed child to see the truth...
Using her trademark gold-leaf illustrations, Demi creates a visually engaging book, with a number of fold-out spreads sure to appeal to young readers. I enjoyed the many illustrative details, and was particularly struck by the fact that the swastika was included in the table of symbols. Given its importance in the iconography of many Asian cultures, I'm rather glad that it wasn't omitted, although parents will want to be aware that they may be called upon to explain that its meaning ("happiness") is very different in the East, than in the West.
That said, while this was a beautiful book, I didn't think it is the best work Demi has done. Nor can I say that this is my favorite iteration of this tale, as that honor goes to the version illustrated by Angela Barrett. Still, I always like to see how different artists interpret the same story, and thank my friend Kathryn for recommending this one!
Using her trademark gold-leaf illustrations, Demi creates a visually engaging book, with a number of fold-out spreads sure to appeal to young readers. I enjoyed the many illustrative details, and was particularly struck by the fact that the swastika was included in the table of symbols. Given its importance in the iconography of many Asian cultures, I'm rather glad that it wasn't omitted, although parents will want to be aware that they may be called upon to explain that its meaning ("happiness") is very different in the East, than in the West.
That said, while this was a beautiful book, I didn't think it is the best work Demi has done. Nor can I say that this is my favorite iteration of this tale, as that honor goes to the version illustrated by Angela Barrett. Still, I always like to see how different artists interpret the same story, and thank my friend Kathryn for recommending this one!
April 23, 2009
First, let me say that I'm a fan of Demi. Second, that "The Emperor's New Clothes" has always been one of my favorite HCA tales. Third, that I am fascinated by Chinese art and culture. Thankfully, all came together beautifully and lived up to my high hopes for this gorgeous re-telling! Demi's art is sumptuous, the shimmering golds, the vibrant colors--but more than that, she really captures a sense of traditional Chinese artwork (her deer and geese are amazing!) and infuses the scenes with culture and tradition. And yet, for all this beauty and attention to detail, the artwork is also extremely FUN! I loved some of the expressions on the Emperor's servants and the "tailor" and "seamstress." Demi's retelling captures the essence of the original while making it completely adapted to its new culture and setting.
(My only disappointment is that the Emperor was not *actually* naked--I guess the magical new wardrobe didn't include the boxers! I know, I know, but as a kid I thought it was just so absolutely hilarious to think of him strutting around without a stitch of clothing on--and I still love how other editions skillfully work in the nudity without making it overt! Even so, as you can gather from the cover illustration, the Emperor look suitably ridiculous in his undies!)
(My only disappointment is that the Emperor was not *actually* naked--I guess the magical new wardrobe didn't include the boxers! I know, I know, but as a kid I thought it was just so absolutely hilarious to think of him strutting around without a stitch of clothing on--and I still love how other editions skillfully work in the nudity without making it overt! Even so, as you can gather from the cover illustration, the Emperor look suitably ridiculous in his undies!)
December 21, 2009
A fairly basic retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s tale, but with lovely, traditional Chinese paintings. An Emperor is convinced that he is going to get a new outfit that fools will not be able to see, and when he goes out with no clothes on, everyone pretends they can see the clothes because they don’t want to be labeled a fool. It takes the innocence of a child to point out the ridiculousness of the situation. The pages unfold to reveal a three page wide and sometimes four page wide spread. Illustrated by the author.
The detail in the illustrations is unbelievable; the looms almost look like instructions for building one and the robes of the people have complete scenes on them. Even when the Emperor has no clothes, his underwear boasts a dragon! I thought the fold out pages were lovely, but not very practical for a library book; not everyone remembers to refold the page carefully and the copy I read was quite tattered.
The detail in the illustrations is unbelievable; the looms almost look like instructions for building one and the robes of the people have complete scenes on them. Even when the Emperor has no clothes, his underwear boasts a dragon! I thought the fold out pages were lovely, but not very practical for a library book; not everyone remembers to refold the page carefully and the copy I read was quite tattered.
December 1, 2020
3.5 stars.
A Danish folktale retold in China.
I wanted to like this more but the ending isn't very fulfilling. The illustrations are ok, not amazing.
A Danish folktale retold in China.
I wanted to like this more but the ending isn't very fulfilling. The illustrations are ok, not amazing.
June 13, 2018
Have you ever wondered what the actual cloth would look like if the trickster tailors in this fairy tale had actually been producing silk brocades for the emporer to wear? Wonder no more, because upon opening Demi's lush, gorgeous version of Hans Christian Andersen's The Emperor's New Clothes, the endpapers rise up to greet you with magnificent vitality. The reader is about to be charmed.
Demi dedicates the book 'to all the children of the world who dare to see things as they really are.' We need those children now more than ever, don't we? The need for this book must be felt worldwide as I noticed it is currently out-of-stock on Amazon. It must be selling like hotcakes.
I loved that text was minimal making it easier for younger students to listen to and also for it to be read at storytime with young audiences. There are pages with small Chinese signs and symbols. Those would be hard to share with an entire audience of storytime listeners, but possibly a child consuming the book on their own could pour over the images. I also didn't understand the need for the four or five fold-out pages as children aren't careful enough at making sure the pages go back into place without wrinkles and bends.
That said, this is a splendid retelling of the fairy tale that will make children feel they have been to China. One advisory might be that it's important for children to understand the emperor with no clothes might be in their own culture and not far-off China. The last thing that would make the book perfect is if the author had mentioned and credited Hans Christian Andersen somewhere in the book for inspiring this version and writing the original. I didn't see a credit anywhere. That surprised me.
That said, this is another sublime title by Demi.
Demi dedicates the book 'to all the children of the world who dare to see things as they really are.' We need those children now more than ever, don't we? The need for this book must be felt worldwide as I noticed it is currently out-of-stock on Amazon. It must be selling like hotcakes.
I loved that text was minimal making it easier for younger students to listen to and also for it to be read at storytime with young audiences. There are pages with small Chinese signs and symbols. Those would be hard to share with an entire audience of storytime listeners, but possibly a child consuming the book on their own could pour over the images. I also didn't understand the need for the four or five fold-out pages as children aren't careful enough at making sure the pages go back into place without wrinkles and bends.
That said, this is a splendid retelling of the fairy tale that will make children feel they have been to China. One advisory might be that it's important for children to understand the emperor with no clothes might be in their own culture and not far-off China. The last thing that would make the book perfect is if the author had mentioned and credited Hans Christian Andersen somewhere in the book for inspiring this version and writing the original. I didn't see a credit anywhere. That surprised me.
That said, this is another sublime title by Demi.
January 10, 2018
Sophisticated retelling of the original Danish story, set in old provincial China, weaving together Chinese history and culture with the magic and timeless wisdom of the fairytale. Exquisitely detailed illustrations lure readers into this magical kingdom in which a child is the hero, wiser than a king, his ministers, and all of his people.
February 27, 2015
Even the double fold-out spreads and the detailed author's note cannot save this book. Like many of Demi's hackneyed Chinese books, this is utterly pedestrian. The sad part is that there was no need to transplant the tale to China in the first place.
June 6, 2024
Oh my word, the artwork here is beautiful. So many colors and rich clothes. The people had Earth to walk around on and not just air. It was nice. The artwork pulls from Chinese artwork. There are full page fold outs as well that make for a panoramic view.
I love this tale. There's been some point in life where we pretend with other people we see what they see because we don't want to seem foolish and uninformed. It mostly happens in children. I think of the snipe hunt people love to take kids on. Sometimes, our imagination is so powerful, we really can see it.
This story perfectly captures that moment of not wanting to appear foolish. It allows us to be taken advantage of. The funny thing is that most of the time, stories like to use that very thing to prove an exception. Pretty Woman or Cinderella. Someone really does want to lift us out of our dreary lives. We will win the lottery. etc, etc. Yes, it can happen, the these tropes prey on our hopes. Maybe, also, sometimes we want to believe so much in the magical clothing, we can convince ourselves it's so.
We need both in life. We need some magical thinking, that's where Apple came from and we need some grounded reasoning and we have to use both. Anyway, great story. It's been a long time since I read this.
I love this tale. There's been some point in life where we pretend with other people we see what they see because we don't want to seem foolish and uninformed. It mostly happens in children. I think of the snipe hunt people love to take kids on. Sometimes, our imagination is so powerful, we really can see it.
This story perfectly captures that moment of not wanting to appear foolish. It allows us to be taken advantage of. The funny thing is that most of the time, stories like to use that very thing to prove an exception. Pretty Woman or Cinderella. Someone really does want to lift us out of our dreary lives. We will win the lottery. etc, etc. Yes, it can happen, the these tropes prey on our hopes. Maybe, also, sometimes we want to believe so much in the magical clothing, we can convince ourselves it's so.
We need both in life. We need some magical thinking, that's where Apple came from and we need some grounded reasoning and we have to use both. Anyway, great story. It's been a long time since I read this.
June 10, 2024
An excuse for a Demi book. I am sad and angry that she stole this story from Hans Christian Andersen with no acknowledgement whatsoever, and even the implication that it is originally a Chinese story... and even the implication that she is uniquely suited to tell the original Chinese version. Sure the pictures are pretty, and (probably) educational (if we can trust what Demi says about the images and colors she used). But that's not nearly enough reason to share this book with children. Read the original by Andersen.
March 12, 2017
I don't see what the big deal with clothes is. I don't wear clothes all the time.
June 23, 2018
A pretty straight forward retelling of this Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. I like the author's explanation of the illustrations in the back.
January 26, 2020
A fun retelling of the classic folktale.
August 8, 2021
Ended kind of abruptly. But I did like the pull out pages.
February 21, 2024
The illustrations are beautiful!
June 29, 2016
Title: The Emperor’s New Clothes A Tale Set in China Told by Demi
Author: Demi
Illustrator:
Genre: Non-European Folktale
Theme: Royalty, clothes, trickery, materialism
Opening line/sentence:
Long ago in a province in China, there lived an emperor who greatest pleasure in life was to dress in new clothes.
Brief Book Summary:
There is an emperor who is constantly having new clothes made to impress his people with. One day, a man and woman come claiming they can make magic clothes that fools cannot see. The emperor is tricked into not wearing any clothes because he does not want to be considered a fool.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Linda Perkins (Booklist, June 1 & 15, 2000 (Vol. 96, No. 19 & 20))
This emperor lived "long ago in a province in China," but his vanity and fondness for clothes doom him to the well-known humiliation. Demi’s retelling, with a skillful use of repeated phrases, is compact and competent. Her familiar gold-burnished paintings portray small human figures against expansive backgrounds, some on foldout pages. The penultimate picture reveals a larger portrait of the emperor in his dragon-print underwear and the painfully observant child. Wallpaper scenes depict such activities as a dragon parade and silk production, while a paneled screen displays 39 images with an explanation of what that object represents in Chinese art. Unfortunately, the screen dominates the double-page spread and interrupts the story. In an appended note, Demi adds more information about Chinese art and culture. An attractive supplementary variant, this adds a multicultural dimension to the popular Andersen story.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature)
The classic Andersen tale of an emperor too proud to admit the obvious is set by Demi in old China. She has chosen to include as much of the culture as she can, with the elements explained in an author's note. Her text takes us through the seasons as the wily charlatans claim to be weaving magic clothes that only the clever can see. Of course the emperor’s chancellor and minister "see" the wonder being woven. In the end, the emperor here never admits his folly. Demi tells the visual story in her typical style--very finely wrought figures against an almost blank background. Lots of red and gold with embroidered and brocade fabrics add a proper regal elegance. The page design includes a clever use of foldout pages, showing the emperor walking stiffly in a landscape with children, animals, his distant palace, and a sky full of exotic birds, all suggesting a classic scroll--a brilliant depiction.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews complimented this version of The Emperor’s New Clothes. They both loved the story and artwork. Demi did a great job of incorporating culture into the story. I have to agree with the first review that the fold out pages took away from the book. I found them confusing and I think children would too.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This story was clearly set in China and tied in a lot of cultural aspects, such as clothing and artwork. There was also a clear plot and storyline throughout. The main character was the Emperor.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
When reading this to elementary aged children, I would have them write a letter to the emperor giving him advice on what to do when he does not see any clothes, rather than going along with it. I would talk to them about materialism and hopefully they would suggest he question the invisible clothes. With younger children, you could have them color and decorate pre-drawn clothes to dress the emperor in.
Author: Demi
Illustrator:
Genre: Non-European Folktale
Theme: Royalty, clothes, trickery, materialism
Opening line/sentence:
Long ago in a province in China, there lived an emperor who greatest pleasure in life was to dress in new clothes.
Brief Book Summary:
There is an emperor who is constantly having new clothes made to impress his people with. One day, a man and woman come claiming they can make magic clothes that fools cannot see. The emperor is tricked into not wearing any clothes because he does not want to be considered a fool.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Linda Perkins (Booklist, June 1 & 15, 2000 (Vol. 96, No. 19 & 20))
This emperor lived "long ago in a province in China," but his vanity and fondness for clothes doom him to the well-known humiliation. Demi’s retelling, with a skillful use of repeated phrases, is compact and competent. Her familiar gold-burnished paintings portray small human figures against expansive backgrounds, some on foldout pages. The penultimate picture reveals a larger portrait of the emperor in his dragon-print underwear and the painfully observant child. Wallpaper scenes depict such activities as a dragon parade and silk production, while a paneled screen displays 39 images with an explanation of what that object represents in Chinese art. Unfortunately, the screen dominates the double-page spread and interrupts the story. In an appended note, Demi adds more information about Chinese art and culture. An attractive supplementary variant, this adds a multicultural dimension to the popular Andersen story.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature)
The classic Andersen tale of an emperor too proud to admit the obvious is set by Demi in old China. She has chosen to include as much of the culture as she can, with the elements explained in an author's note. Her text takes us through the seasons as the wily charlatans claim to be weaving magic clothes that only the clever can see. Of course the emperor’s chancellor and minister "see" the wonder being woven. In the end, the emperor here never admits his folly. Demi tells the visual story in her typical style--very finely wrought figures against an almost blank background. Lots of red and gold with embroidered and brocade fabrics add a proper regal elegance. The page design includes a clever use of foldout pages, showing the emperor walking stiffly in a landscape with children, animals, his distant palace, and a sky full of exotic birds, all suggesting a classic scroll--a brilliant depiction.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews complimented this version of The Emperor’s New Clothes. They both loved the story and artwork. Demi did a great job of incorporating culture into the story. I have to agree with the first review that the fold out pages took away from the book. I found them confusing and I think children would too.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This story was clearly set in China and tied in a lot of cultural aspects, such as clothing and artwork. There was also a clear plot and storyline throughout. The main character was the Emperor.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
When reading this to elementary aged children, I would have them write a letter to the emperor giving him advice on what to do when he does not see any clothes, rather than going along with it. I would talk to them about materialism and hopefully they would suggest he question the invisible clothes. With younger children, you could have them color and decorate pre-drawn clothes to dress the emperor in.
February 28, 2017
I remember liking this story as a child. I love the beautiful illustrations in this version, as well as that it is set in China. The boys enjoyed it too, although I think it was just a little over the kindergartener's head.
March 24, 2016
Easy to read with asian-themed style pictures, this book is a wonder for children ages 3-7. It is unique because some pages "fold out" and fold back in. It is set in China and follows the "traditional" emperor and new clothes story but...it also has a small twist at the end of the story so read until the very end!Dont worry, there are no naked emperors in the pictures(although the book suggests there is one). The emperor is no fool, I liked it but instead the tailors and the advisers were.
Really good illustrations, they look realistic and the character face expressions are also funny as well--the grimaces and grins and smiles.
Speaking of pictures the pallet of colors is done well, with gold especially being visible. May have been the paint used, but it gives shiny glitter. The folding and unfolding may also be annoying for people who are not used to these type of books and mine was folded wrongly when I got it so there is that to be aware of.
Really good illustrations, they look realistic and the character face expressions are also funny as well--the grimaces and grins and smiles.
Speaking of pictures the pallet of colors is done well, with gold especially being visible. May have been the paint used, but it gives shiny glitter. The folding and unfolding may also be annoying for people who are not used to these type of books and mine was folded wrongly when I got it so there is that to be aware of.
June 21, 2013
Of course, this Hans Christian Andersen tale is a classic -- an emperor who believes that his magical clothing is not visible to fools until a child has the wisdom to speak the truth. Demi's picture book version is set in provincial China, with exquisitely detailed Chinese-style illustrations, and she has put elements of Chinese culture into each picture. The original story lends itself well to a Chinese retelling.
The format of the book -- with five double-wide folded pages -- is unfortunate. The folded pages do not add to the story, and they are difficult to refold correctly, often becoming bent or folded in the opposite direction, making reading difficult. This would be a lovely book if reformatted with standard cut pages. Ages 5-10.
The format of the book -- with five double-wide folded pages -- is unfortunate. The folded pages do not add to the story, and they are difficult to refold correctly, often becoming bent or folded in the opposite direction, making reading difficult. This would be a lovely book if reformatted with standard cut pages. Ages 5-10.
October 9, 2011
This is a folktale and is for children of the primary group. This folktale is set in China and it tells the tale of how the Emperor got his new clothes. Everyday the people of the palace would dress the Emperor in new clothes till he found something he liked. Oddly enough the words in this book and in English and not Chinese like I thought it would be. The pictures are very colorful and make you feel like your in China.
April 27, 2008
The age old story of the foolish emperor and the good salesmen is enhanced by the beautiful artwork. This book has fold out pages that give you a colorful look at Chinese Artwork. The reds are so vibrant they almost jump off of the page. The main changed form the original story is that the tailors stay there over a year making the clothes. And again, it is a child who says what he sees.
June 4, 2008
clothes
Easily understandable for kids - sometimes kids don't understand the concept of this story (they want to think that everyone is a fool and they can't see the clothes that really ARE there).
Easily understandable for kids - sometimes kids don't understand the concept of this story (they want to think that everyone is a fool and they can't see the clothes that really ARE there).
May 12, 2010
This tale is wonderful for teaching children to think for themselves and be careful of the consequences of letting one’s pride and vanity conquer. I love the irony of the story in that marching around in one’s underwear is quite the opposite of pride.
October 28, 2013
We love Demi. Great additions to history lessons and learning all about culture. My 5 yr old loves these stories. Beautiful illustrations and lots of great information that makes the lesson enjoyable and easy to remember for the child. Highly recommend this author.
April 18, 2016
I love Demi's pieces. Her drawings bring the humor out in the didactic stories she retells! All her stories are pretty much retellings of ancient classics. They are full of great, humorous insight on wisdom and life.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews