Focusing on the stories of the Han Chinese, this collection includes more than 50 tales, aimed at listeners of all ages. It also presents Chinese traditions and ways of thought. The tales are organized into: Animal Tales; Tales of Magic, Love and Romance; Myths, Legends and Immortals; Moral Stories; How Things Came to Be; and Proverbial Tales.

Today, the forces of modernization and economic growth threaten the loss of traditional stories and storytelling in China. However, this new gathering of stories, retold from a variety of sources, is embedded in the storytelling traditions of this vast and diverse country. Focusing specifically on the stories of the Han Chinese (the largest ethnic group in China, numbering over a billion people), this collection presents more than 50 tales, both well known and obscure - from "Monkeys Fishing the Moon" and "The Butterfly Lovers" to "Dragon Princess" and "Painted Skin". These are stories that enchant listeners of all ages, while providing a glimpse into Chinese traditions and ways of thought. Tales are organized into seven sections: Animal Tales; Tales of Magic, Love and Romance; Myths, Legends and Immortals; Moral Stories; How Things Came to Be; and Proverbial Tales. To further enhance cultural understanding, the stories are supplemented with historical and cultural background, notes on storytelling and other folk traditions, recipes, proverbs, color photos, a map, a glossary, and more.