Red Butterfly
“Written in the style of ancient Chinese poets, the text dwells lovingly on the pleasures of imperial life while splendid ink-and-watercolor illustrations poignantly capture the princess’s leave-taking as well as details of palace life in images evocative of Chinese screen paintings.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Blackall (Ruby’s Wish ) composes sumptuous portraits of the imperial Chinese court: ladies whisper behind fans, consorts bathe in hot springs, a dressmaker fits the princess for a robe. Her ink-and-wash spreads swirl with flourishes (fluttering silk sashes, curving garden paths and tumbling locks of black hair).”—Publishers Weekly Starred Review