Chinese Brain Twisters: Fast, Fun Puzzles That Help Children Develop Quick Minds [Paperback]

Baifang (Author)

Book Description

A smart way to teach children to think logically and creatively One of the most precious gifts you can offer a child is a sharp mind. The 56 puzzles in this delightful collection were passed down through generations of Chinese families who wanted their children to develop concentration and mental agility. Baifang spent hours enjoying them with her family and friends as she was growing up in the north of China. Now living in San Francisco, Baifang is passing them on to her own children and to families everywhere. Each puzzle inspires clear, precise, and inventive thinking. Some teach math concepts; others involve spatial relationships and visualization. All of them have fascinating solutions and help improve memory and problem-solving skills. An inexhaustible source of challenging fun, these are mental calisthenics for stimulating interaction between lively minds from ages 8 to 80.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A treasury of traditional Chinese games that have endured for centuries. These delightful amusements will challenge the intellect of youngsters by appealing to their sense of fun but the greatest value is their proven ability to simulate children to think clearly, precisely and creatively. Illustrated.

From the Back Cover

A smart way to teach children to think logically and creatively One of the most precious gifts you can offer a child is a sharp mind. The 56 puzzles in this delightful collection were passed down through generations of Chinese families who wanted their children to develop concentration and mental agility. Baifang spent hours enjoying them with her family and friends as she was growing up in the north of China. Now living in San Francisco, Baifang is passing them on to her own children and to families everywhere. Each puzzle inspires clear, precise, and inventive thinking. Some teach math concepts; others involve spatial relationships and visualization. All of them have fascinating solutions and help improve memory and problem-solving skills. An inexhaustible source of challenging fun, these are mental calisthenics for stimulating interaction between lively minds from ages 8 to 80.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (January 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471595055
• ISBN-13: 978-0471595052
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #532,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars challenging, January 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Chinese Brain Twisters: Fast, Fun Puzzles That Help Children Develop Quick Minds (Paperback)

The majority of this book is full of puzzles that you can do with toothpicks...take four toothpicks and make a square then move two of them to make something else. The last part of the book has word/logic problems like the man with the boat trying to move the goat, the cabbage and the wolf to the other side. (Of course the problem is the goat will eat the cabbage, and the wolf will eat the goat, so how will he do it?!?) The first part is good for spacial reasoning--getting kids to recognize and find alternative ways of looking at the problem. It will be a good book for younger kids, but it's also something you can do with older kids because it's the challenge that catches their attention. I've even pulled in logical-thinking should-be-doing-something-else adults for quite some time with these puzzles!

4.0 out of 5 stars Great, August 15, 2011

By 

rosa - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chinese Brain Twisters: Fast, Fun Puzzles That Help Children Develop Quick Minds (Paperback)

I bought this for my 11 yr old daughter, she loves it. She had used it in school with one of her teachers could stop talking about it. I finally bought it for her and we've both enjoyed it. Lots of fun!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book, December 18, 2008

By 

L. LEBOUEF (South Louisiana USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chinese Brain Twisters: Fast, Fun Puzzles That Help Children Develop Quick Minds (Paperback)

I wanted to give my son practice and critical thinking, deductive reasoning, and otherwise "thinking outside the box." I believe this book did just that, and he loved it!