(3) K-3 Amazing Chinese Inventions series. Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. In bilingual editions of these original tales (Chinese texts not evaluated), the clever Kang brothers tackle various challenges: eating hot food (Chopsticks), scaring birds from their rice fields (Kites), salvaging their mother's botched cooking-contest entry (Noodles), and saving face at school (Paper). Bold images, reminiscent of traditional Chinese cut-paper designs, illustrate the tales. An author's note provides brief history of each invention. Recipe/activity appended. Review covers these Amazing Chinese Inventions titles: The Story of Chopsticks, The Story of Kites, The Story of Noodles, The Story of Paper.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Amazing Chinese Inventions series. Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. In bilingual editions of these original tales (Chinese texts not evaluated), the clever Kang brothers tackle various challenges: eating hot food (Chopsticks), scaring birds from their rice fields (Kites), salvaging their mother's botched cooking-contest entry (Noodles), and saving face at school (Paper). Bold images, reminiscent of traditional Chinese cut-paper designs, illustrate the tales. An author's note provides brief history of each invention. Recipe/activity appended. Review covers these Amazing Chinese Inventions titles: The Story of Chopsticks, The Story of Kites, The Story of Noodles, The Story of Paper.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Amazing Chinese Inventions series. Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. In bilingual editions of these original tales (Chinese texts not evaluated), the clever Kang brothers tackle various challenges: eating hot food (Chopsticks), scaring birds from their rice fields (Kites), salvaging their mother's botched cooking-contest entry (Noodles), and saving face at school (Paper). Bold images, reminiscent of traditional Chinese cut-paper designs, illustrate the tales. An author's note provides brief history of each invention. Recipe/activity appended. Review covers these Amazing Chinese Inventions titles: The Story of Chopsticks, The Story of Kites, The Story of Noodles, The Story of Paper.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Amazing Chinese Inventions series. Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. In bilingual editions of these original tales (Chinese texts not evaluated), the clever Kang brothers tackle various challenges: eating hot food (Chopsticks), scaring birds from their rice fields (Kites), salvaging their mother's botched cooking-contest entry (Noodles), and saving face at school (Paper). Bold images, reminiscent of traditional Chinese cut-paper designs, illustrate the tales. An author's note provides brief history of each invention. Recipe/activity appended. Review covers these Amazing Chinese Inventions titles: The Story of Chopsticks, The Story of Kites, The Story of Noodles, The Story of Paper.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. The Kang brothers are embarrassed when their teacher writes their misdeeds on the palms of their hands. As clever as they are mischievous, the three boys invent paper, which brings them acclaim and helps them to concentrate on their studies. The flat illustrations flow across and around the pages providing a sense of depth and movement. An author's note and directions for making paper are included.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. Tired of banging pots to scare scavenging birds from their rice fields, the three Kang brothers try fashioning their own wings to chase them away. Following failed attempts using paper, chopsticks, and feathers, the boys create fengzheng--wind kites--and their family opens the first kite factory in China. This original folktale's cut-paper art in traditional Chinese style is as energetic and appealing as the Kang siblings.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) K-3 Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. After a mishap in the kitchen sends dough flying everywhere, the Kang brothers try to salvage their mother's cooking-contest entry by cutting the dough into long, thin strips. The boys' culinary creation wows the judges and the local children, who are eager to taste the mian tiao, or noodles. Bold images, reminiscent of traditional Chinese cut-paper designs, illustrate this original tale.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. Using twigs, young Kùai Kang invents chopsticks with which to eat hot food. When his family brings the invention to a wedding, the villagers consult a wise man, who approves chopsticks if their users show good manners. Though this imagined story coheres well, the "explanation" of the origin of chopsticks isn't compelling. The stylized illustrations resembling stained glass are made from cut paper bordered in black. An author's note is appended.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. In this unusual version of the origin of the Chinese zodiac, Dragon, ashamed of his bald head, borrows Rooster's antlers. When the Jade Emperor ranks Dragon ahead of Rooster, he "squawked with rage" and is crowing his protest to this very day. The illustrations--done in the style of traditional Chinese cut-paper art--provide a bold complement to the text.

Reviewer:

(3) K-3 One of the earliest Chinese myths, this story describes how the world came close to being scorched once, when the ten suns of heaven decided to traverse the sky together, instead of in turn. The Archer of Heaven restores celestial order by shooting down nine of the suns, who become crows. The dramatic retelling is enhanced by the vibrant colors and sweeping lines of the illustrations. A source note is included.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan. In a delightfully tongue-in-cheek spoof of spoiled boys, this story describes lazy Xiaolong, who grows so passive he doesn't even play. But when he thwarts a burglar in his family's house, he feels angry for the first time and it "changed his whole life." Told with an affectionate, teasing tone, the story captures the dynamics of the traditional Chinese family with wry humor. The illustrations are rich with details of Chinese village life.

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