The Land of Green Ginger - Noel Langley

For those who have written in praise of Noel Langley's "The Land of Green Ginger", I would wholeheartedly concur. I might respectfully point out, however, that it's not correct to say the first publication of this remarkable children's (and grown-ups') fable was in the 1960s, unless you’re referring strictly to the paperback. I have a treasured hardback first edition of the book, properly entitled “The Tale of the Land Of Green Ginger”, first published in 1937 by Arthur Baker Ltd (London), written and illustrated by Noel Langley. It's a lovely edition, with full-colour drawings nothing like those by Edward Ardizzone in the later paperbacks. That said, the first ...  Read the complete review

You know the story of Aladdin, right? The classic fairy-tale, popularised in pantomimes and also by Disney. He has a wicked uncle, and a magic lamp which summons a genie... a complex story, with many variations, but in the end he marries the princess he loves despite being a commoner himself, and they all live happily ever after. In China. Awwwww... But did you ever wonder what happened 'after'? If so, then 'The Land of Green Ginger' is the book to read. It starts on the day after Aladdin's son and heir is born. The opening scene describes the Special Meeting of State which has been called in order that a name can be selected for the baby. ...  Read the complete review

"May fortune preserve you, gentle reader. May your days be filled with constant joy, and may my story please you, for it has no other purpose." There, now we're friends, I do hope you're smiling already. You must imagine you're in the theatre and we're telling our story just for you. We're in pantomime land and so we must begin at the beginning –we're at Chapter The First which will explain, "How, Why, When and Where There Was Ever Any Problem in the First Place". Well, it all begins in the city of Peking in ancient China and with the birth of a son and heir to the Emperor Aladdin, yes, the Aladdin, son of ...  Read the complete review