Cat's Cradle, Owl's Eyes: A Book of String Games [Paperback]

Camilla Gryski (Author), Tom Sankey (Illustrator)

Book Description

With easy, step-by-step instructions and more than 200 diagrams, anyone can master these 40 delightful string games. "Children, as well as adults, will be carrying strings to amuse and amaze."--School Library Journal.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Camilla Gryski always carries string in her pocket. A professional librarian, Ms. Gryski demonstrates string figures at schools, libraries, and hospitals across Ontario and at folk festivals across Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 78 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow & Co (P) (August 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688039413
• ISBN-13: 978-0688039417
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #744,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes learning string games easy and fun even for beginners, May 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Cat's Cradle, Owl's Eyes: A Book of String Games (Library Binding)

This is a terrific introduction to the fascinating art of string games.

The author takes you from step one (how to tie your string together) through hand positions and basic terminology and then on into the string games themselves - starting from the easy ones and finally on to the complex two-person "Cat's Cradle."

The clear descriptions of each move and easy-to-understand diagrams make this book easy to follow for even the most uncoordinated and uninitiated! I found that by using the book to learn the games myself, and then teaching them to my children (ages 7 and 6), we were able to benefit from some great quality time!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guide to an old folk favorite, December 7, 2000

By 

Gwyneth Calvetti (West Salem, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cat's Cradle, Owl's Eyes: A Book of String Games (Paperback)

Camilla Gryski does an excellent job of taking her readers step by step through the process of creating these figures and playing these games. More than any other books I have used on the topic, her directions will allow those who need words, those who need drawings, and those who need the sequence of steps to follow along and be successful.

This book is one of three in her series on string figures, and gives several variations on the game of Cat's Cradle. Some may be familiar to readers, but others may not be so common. Other basic figures are also introduced in this volume. To get started in this enjoyable pastime with minimal frustration, I highly recommend this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars what i think of the book, December 5, 2001

By 

Brittany (memphis, tn usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cat's Cradle, Owl's Eyes: A Book of String Games (Paperback)

i think the book is good for a lot of people who are in to strings and other things that would keep people busy. i also like that this book would teach alot of people what other nations do when they have free time. when i frist read this book i was in the 7th grade and i loved it i also learned most of the tricks and i would love to read it again so i could learn more.