The Great Kite Book [Paperback]

Norman Schmidt (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

A handbook on making kites, containing 19 designs. It covers aerodynamics, stability, bridling, launching, and construction materials, with step-by-step instructions. Each kite project is illustrated with a full-page photograph and a grid plan that can be enlarged using a photocopier. Every other spread provides a continuing story of the history and mythology of the kite in different cultures - China, Japan, Maori, Polynesia, Thailand, India, Bali and Ancient Greece, as well as in modern Europe and the USA. It also discusses the kite's military, meteorological, aviation and artistic functions.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up?This book's best feature is the collection of designs for 19 kites. All but one are reproductions of birds or insects. Each project is illustrated with a line drawing on a grid that demonstrates how to copy the design onto the kite material, along with a full-page, full-color photograph in which the intense hues and contrasts are highlighted, adding to the stunning results. A page of kite lore is included with each design. Schmidt uses modern materials that are easy to handle and readily available. They have certain advantages over traditional paper and cloth such as greater strength and resistance to stretching. The directions are excellent, proceeding in clear and manageable steps. This is not a book for novices. The introductory material, which includes a history of kiting, is both dense and technical. However, the originality and beauty of the kites and the excellent instructions make it an attractive book that will inspire kite lovers to stretch their skill and interest. A good addition to collections that have Gail Gibbons's Catch the Wind! (Little, Brown, 1989) and Barry Caldecott's Kites (Watts, 1990).?Jean Pollock, King Country Library System, Seattle, WA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Schmidt, the master of paper aerodynamics (Super Paper Airplanes: Biplanes to Space Planes, LJ 11/1/95), has expanded his horizons into the realm of monster, bumblebee, bird, and butterfly kites. He uses a spunbonded polyethylene resembling paper that does not tear easily and can be sewn, glued, and colored to make his kites. Each project has a detailed list of materials and a square-grid pattern suitable for enlarging. Detailed general instructions are applicable to all the projects. There is also a chapter on wind dynamics and kite stability?necessary reading for anyone willing to trust his or her masterpiece to the mercies of the wind. These kites are truly works of art and would make fantastic mobiles when not flying aloft.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Sterling Pub Co (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1895569176
• ISBN-13: 978-1895569179
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,810,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not at all what I was hoping for, August 3, 2002

By 

Joseph Warren (El Cajon, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great Kite Book (Paperback)

I bought this book hoping to expand on my knowledge of kites, and get an idea or two for building creature kites. This book was a HUGE dissapointment in this respect.
Essentially this book is nothing but painting patterns for the same kite over and over. The build for all the kites detailed here are virtually identical: Fold a sheet of "Tyvek" in half, fold a couple of times, paint it to look like something (the most tedious portion of the build on these kites), and glue a bunch of sticks to the back of the paper.
Presto! you have a buterfly! or a swallow! or a dragonfly!

You will find no box kites, no stunt kites, or anything besides the same folded "Tyvek" kites detailed in the book.

After looking at the book once, I'm afraid it will remain on my shelf, while I spend some time building an interesting delta kite or something.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great butterfly and bird kites!, May 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Great Kite Book (Paperback)

Detail designs for frames and sails, including excellant directions on assembly and decorating. 19 designs give lots of ideas for more. My favorites: Tiger Swallowtail, Dragonfly and Albatross.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Complicated Kites, March 9, 2002

By 

Shalizeh "shalizeh2" (California United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Great Kite Book (Paperback)

I bought this book after I had purchased the magnificent book of kites. This book has great big kites which are more complicated than the magnificent book of kites. So, if you have experience building kites this is the book you need.