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.