Grandfather Tang's Story (Dragonfly Books) [Paperback]

Ann Tompert (Author), Robert Andrew Parker (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Dragonfly Books

"Drawing on a Chinese form of storytelling with seven shapes cut from a square of paper, Tompert recounts the tale of two fox fairies. Parker's pen-and-watercolor art adds drama, while the tangram insets will motivate children to try their own versions."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Here's a folktale with a twist: Tompert uses tangrams, a traditional "visual aid" employed by Chinese storytellers, to spin a tale about two shape-changing fox fairies. Seven "tans" (standard-sized pieces of a square) are arranged and rearranged to represent various characters in the story. The fox fairies vie to outdo each other--the first one becomes a rabbit, the other a dog who chases him, and so on--but when the two chase each other right into danger, they finally have to set their competition aside and pull together. Parker's graceful, impressionistic illustrations have a gentle Oriental flavor, and the constantly changing tangram configurations add a novel touch. A traceable tangram is provided at the end for do-it-yourselfers. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-- Two competitive fox fairies go through rapid physical transformations until a hunter's arrow reminds them of their true friendship. This original tangram tale is framed by the loving relationship between a grandfather and granddaughter as they share the story under the shade of an old tree, and culminates in a tangram of an old man and a girl likewise resting. Tangrams, ancient Chinese puzzles in which a square is cut into seven traditional pieces (each called a tan), are arranged into patterns used to help tell the story. Parker's watercolor washes complement the text, adding energy and tension, as well as evoking oriental brushwork technique. However, the text is strong enough to stand on its own, and will be valued by storytellers and listeners alike. --Carolyn Noah, Worcester Public Library, MA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dragonfly Books (August 12, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517885581
• ISBN-13: 978-0517885581
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 0.1 x 9.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Anthologies
  • #11 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Family Life > Multigenerational
  • #13 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Explore the World > Asia

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great teaching springboard into a hands-on geometry unit!, August 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Grandfather Tang's Story (Hardcover)

I use this book annually to introduce tangrams into my geometryunit. The information from the back of the book adds a multiculturaland historical dimension to the lesson while the relationship between grandfather and granddaughter offers an intergenerational link. Reading the book in an interactive mode, I use my own renditions of Grandfather Tang's animals mounted on poster boards and flipped over to be uncovered as the story progresses. The kids are completely engaged trying to guess what the next fairy transformation will be before it's revealed. By the end of the book, they are excited to create their own tangram pictures to form into a class book. The soft watercolor illustrations are a balanced contrast to the energy and enthusiasm Grandfather Tang's Story generates with my class.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book for learning about tangrams!, June 16, 1999

By 

Ann Sauriol "AnnieS" (Arizona USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grandfather Tang's Story (Hardcover)

This is is an excellent book!I am a teacher and use this book with my 3rd and 4th grade students to teach tangrams and fractions! Children will enjoy the cute story and beautiful pictures!

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for teaching spatial relations!, July 24, 2002

By 

Lisa (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grandfather Tang's Story (Dragonfly Books) (Paperback)

This book is NOT for babies and pre-schoolers! This creative story shows children how to use a puzzle set of math manipulatives called Tangrams to create pictures. It could be used in ANY grade to improve children's comprehension of spatial relations. A pattern for the tangrams is included in the back of the book to make teaching easier. Any child would love to play with these picture puzzles!