The Story of Chopsticks

"When brothers Pan, Ting, and Kuai encounter a problem at school or home, they come up with simple, practical solutions that benefit generations to come.There are four fiction picture books in the Amazing Chinese Inventions series. Chinese translations appear beside the English text, and the stories are supplemented with activities such as recipes, crafts, and historical facts about kites, paper, chopsticks and noodles. The Kangs lived long ago and it's reflected in their traditional style of dress, pony tailed hairstyles, and community values. Thick, black lines outline the detail and shape of the illustrations. The dark lines make the solid colours pop and they add a serious, but thoughtful feel to the artwork." - Resource Links "[The series Amazing Chinese Inventions provides] an important intervention into the existing literature by foregrounding Chinese characters as the main protagonists rather than as supporting or marginal characters in their narratives. Although these books take place in historical China, they do resist stereotypical representations by, for example, depicting Kuai and his brothers as ordinary kids who can misbehave like anyone else. Similarly, the books' representations of Chinese cultural practices, such as their food and customs, would not be particularly foreign to readers. Even for readers who may have limited knowledge of China, these books demystify these cultural references and make them more accessible to readers in various ways." - CM magazine ""Bold and beautiful cut-paper design in bright colors resembling stained glass, instantly draws our attention." - In Culture Parent
"Bold and beautiful cut-paper design in bright colors resembling stained glass, instantly draws our attention." - In Culture Parent
"[The series Amazing Chinese Inventions provides] an important intervention into the existing literature by foregrounding Chinese characters as the main protagonists rather than as supporting or marginal characters in their narratives. Although these books take place in historical China, they do resist stereotypical representations by, for example, depicting Kuai and his brothers as ordinary kids who can misbehave like anyone else. Similarly, the books' representations of Chinese cultural practices, such as their food and customs, would not be particularly foreign to readers. Even for readers who may have limited knowledge of China, these books demystify these cultural references and make them more accessible to readers in various ways." - CM magazine
"[A] modern pourquoi tale... rooted in Chinese culture and offers American readers an authentic glimpse of its traditions."
"Compestine's charming tale deserves a place in the multicultural curriculum. Xuan's richly colored traditional Chinese cut paper illustrations lend authenticity."