The Ballad of Mulan

According to legend, there was a young woman in China named Mulan whose aged and frail father was conscripted. Mulan, unwilling to see her father fighting in a war, disguised herself as a man and joined the army in his place.

The story of this legendary woman first appeared in ballads sung during fourth-century China, known as the Northern Wei dynasty. For hundreds of years, Mulan has been an inspiration for Chinese girls and women.

Since its publication in 1998 The Ballad of Mulan has received rave reviews from magazines and newspapers. We are honored to mention that it has been selected by Houghton Mifflin and Thomas/Heinle for their school textbook use.


Retold and illustrated by Song Nan Zhang
For ages 4 and up - HB 32p