This post marks my return to Susan Leonard Halls’ Perfect Picture Book Friday. This review will be a little different to conform to the guidelines of PPBF. Hope you enjoy and don’t forget to visit other PPBF posts.
The Story of Chopsticks
Series: Amazing Chinese Inventions #1
Written by Ying Chang Compestine
Illustrated by YongSheng
Published by Immedium, 4/05/2016
978-1-59702-120-3
36 pages Ages 4—8
.
Themes/Topics: learn to use chopsticks, dinner manners, Chinese history
Opening: “Long ago, all Chinese people ate with their hands, including members of the Kang family. The three Kang boys Pan, Ting, and especially the youngest Kùai, loved to eat. Yet he [Kùai] never seemed to get enough food and ways always hungry.”
Brief Synopsis: Kùai, the youngest of three boys, never gets enough to eat. One night, Kùai finds two sticks. While his family waits for their dinner to cool, Kùai uses his sticks to spear a piece of meat and a hunk of sweet potato. To honor Kùai, they called the sticks ‘Kùai zi” (pronounced (Khwy-zzuh), meaning “quick one.” In America, these sticks are known as chopsticks.
Links To Resources: A recipe for Sweet Eight Treasures Rice Pudding and author notes on the history of chopsticks, Confucianism, and the centuries old rules for eating with chopsticks in the back matter. Game called Chopstick Chase can be found at: http://bit.ly/ChopstickChaseActivity
Why I Like This Book: While it blends fact with fiction, the story is relatable for any child who goes hungry for any reason. I like how the author tells kids about the hierarchy of early China, with village leaders answering to the emperor. The book also goes into proper table manners including who eats first in a multigenerational family. The cut paper illustrations look like mosaics one might find in a church windowpane. They definitely resemble traditional Chinese art of long ago. I really like this series. It involves the history of Chinese inventions that are now used the world over without much thought as to where they originated. The series has books on paper, kites, noodles, and chopsticks. The series, Amazing Chinese Inventions, is bilingual English and (I believe) simplified Chinese, perfect for kids learning either language. All of these books are perfect for Multicultural Children’s Book Day on January 27th.
A favorite book reviewer I know is named on the back jacket flap. A blurb from his review of The Julie Black Belt Series reads : “The Julie Black Belt books are a GREAT series for kids! I give this book and series 5 out of 5 bookworms!” –This Kid Reviews Books
.
THE STORY OF CHOPSTICKS (AMAZING CHINESE INVENTIONS #1). Text copyright © 2016 by Ying Chang Compestine. Illustrations copyright © 2016 by YongSheng Xuan. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Immedium, San Francisco, CA.
Add The Story of Chopsticks to Your Goodreads Shelf HERE.
Reprinted with permission from THE STORY OF CHOPSTICKS (AMAZING CHINESE INVENTIONS #1) © 2016 by Ying Chang Compestine, Immedium. Illustrations © 2016 by YongSheng Xuan.
.
Copyright © 2017 by Sue Morris/Kid Lit Reviews. All Rights Reserved
.
The Story of Chopsticks
Series: Amazing Chinese Inventions #1
Written by Ying Chang Compestine
Illustrated by YongSheng
Published by Immedium, 4/05/2016
9781597021203
I like the idea – I will look for this book. The illustrations are great! 😀
LikeLike
I was drawn in right away by the illustrations, but I just love the story behind the chopsticks. Great review!
LikeLike
chopsticks are fun – not just for eating… I use one to play my dulcimer.
LikeLike
Seriously? How imaginative.
LikeLike
Great pick for this season. I don’t know this history and I like that there’s a whole series of Chinese inventions.
LikeLike
For some reason I have a few Chinese New Years books. I had no idea it lasts two weeks.
LikeLike
This sounds great! I always enjoy reading unique things about different cultures.
LikeLike
I would like to read the other three as well. It would be nice to know how paper began.
LikeLike
Yes I loved your book choice today. We often eat with chopsticks whenever we are having Chinese for dinner. It’s always fun.
LikeLike
I could never get the hold down as a kid, so I ordered a hamburger. You can groan, my sister always did. Today, I know how to eat with chopsticks and no longer order hamburgers.
LikeLike
Very interesting! I’ll be on the lookout for this book!
LikeLike
I hope you enjoy it. Immedium is a small publisher, but most “big bulky” online stores carry it.
LikeLike
Glad to see you back! I love your book choice today — it has been a great week of Books about the Chinese New Year and customs. Glad your other reviews show at the bottom so others can check them out!
LikeLike
I had not even noticed this. The far left is the other one by Rich Lo. I always forget it’s Friday and miss PPBF. This year I have it marked in red.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This looks fantastic. I love the art and the concept. I hope I can get my hands on a copy soon. Thanks for a great review!
LikeLike
Thank you. I hope you find a copy soon. If not, email me with mailing address and I’ll make mine yours.
LikeLike
This book certainly seems to offer a lot! A relatable and entertaining story for children woven with pieces of Chinese history and table manners. The illustrations got my attention straight away. I’m adding this book to my library list and hope they have a copy. Thank you for a wonderful review!
LikeLike
I hope your library has it. The publisher is a small press but easy to find online.
LikeLike