The Story of Little Ai: Adventures of a Little Girl in Thirteenth-Century China

It's a cold winter day in Beijing. A barefoot girl is running down a street. What will happen to her? What dangers await her?In this book you will learn of Little Ai's adventures. You will read about wandering actors, medieval Chinese plays, and Kuan Han-Ch'ing, the great Chinese playwright. The story takes place in the thirteenth century, when China was under the Mongol rule.Originally published in Russian in 1962, "The Story of Little Ai" became a classic for generations of Russian children.* * * OLGA GURIAN was the pen name of Olga Kalabushkina, a Russian children's writer (1899-1973). She was the author of over fifty books for children and teenagers. With her husband, Vladimir Kalabushkin, she spent several years in China, an experience which made a strong impression on her. Her historical novels were loved by generations of Russian children.NINA KOSSMAN is a writer, translator, and artist. Reading "The Story of Little Ai" was one of the most memorable experiences in her Moscow childhood. She lives in New York.Cover design by Nadia Kossman.