The Story of Paper - (Amazing Chinese Inventions) by Ying Chang Compestine (Hardcover)

About the Book

Learn how the three fun-loving Kang brothers created paper, one of China's most famous inventions! This colorfully redesigned edition features a new bilingual Chinese translation.

The playful Kang brothers (Ting, Pan, and Kùai) discovered four of China's most famous discoveries in the series Amazing Chinese Inventions. The boys' teacher catches them playing at school. So he writes embarrassing notes on their brothers' hands which they must show to everyone (including their parents).

The Kang boys don't want their teacher to write embarrassing notes on their hands anymore. If only the teacher could write on something smaller and more private. Can the Kangs concoct a formula for what just may become a very useful school supply? The story features an author's note on the history of paper and instructions for homemade paper.

"The ingenious Kang brothers, seen last in The Story of Kites, return for another entrepreneurial adventure. " - ALA Booklist

Book Synopsis

Learn how the three fun-loving Kang brothers created paper, one of China's most famous inventions! This colorfully redesigned edition features a new bilingual Chinese translation.

The three playful and creative Kang brothers (Ting, Pan, and Kùai) discovered four of China's most famous discoveries in the series Amazing Chinese Inventions. The boys' teacher catches them playing at school and writes embarrassing notes on their brothers' hands which they must display for everyone (including their parents) to see.

The Kang boys don't want their teacher to write embarrassing notes on their hands anymore. If only the teacher could write on something smaller and more private. Can the Kangs concoct a formula for what just may become a very useful school supply? The story features an author's note on the history of paper and instructions for creating homemade paper.

This fanciful blend of fact and imagination brings Asian culture alive for young readers. Children will enjoy the bright and bold artwork, created in the traditional Chinese style of hand cut, colored paper. Parents will enjoy the ingenuity of the main characters who teach adults a thing or two about inventiveness.

Teachers and librarians like the storybook's historical references and how it features a bilingual translation in simplified Chinese - ideal for language classes, programs, and schools.

"The ingenious Kang brothers, seen last in The Story of Kites, return for another entrepreneurial adventure."
- ALA Booklist

Review Quotes

"Each book features the Kang family: Mama, Papa, and three boys, Ting, Pan, and Kùai. Kids will love seeing how the antics of the three boys fit with these inventions." - The Logonauts

"The repetition of the phrases that contain the words grasshoppers, ants, and worms make this an attention-grabbing read-aloud, as do the stained glass looking illustrations... The Story of Paper encourages the reader to be inventive, yet practical, when solving a problem. Recommended."
- CM magazine

"What attracted me first was the illustrations: they have a stark, stained-glass-style feel, with bright colors and dark lines, making it hard to believe that it was all cut-paper collage work... All in all, a delightful, entertaining, and fairly instructive set of books with beautiful illustrations." - Saffron Tree

"With bold black outlines and vivid coloration... the artwork captures the action as the boys exercise their ingenuity."

About the Author

Ying Compestine: Ying's dozens of children's books have won many awards, including spots on the "best lists" from the ALA, Bank Street, Book Sense, and New York Times. She visits schools and teaches workshops internationally. She has written for magazines such as Cooking Light, Self, Men's Health, and Martha Stewart's Whole Living. Her website is www.yingc.com.

YongSheng Xuan illustrated the four volume "Story of" series. Educated at the renowned Central Arts and Crafts University in Beijing, China, he lives in Vancouver, Canada. His art has exhibited worldwide and appeared in Cricket magazine. His website is www.ysxuan.com.