Kites [Hardcover]

DEMI DEMI (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

With the signature style and extraordinary artistry that have won her a loyal following, Demi tells the story of how kites came to be.  Long ago in China, holy painters would paint the townspeople's wishes on paper to be left in temples for the gods to see and grant.  But one day, an impatient mother who wanted her son to grow up strong and wise, had a holy painter paint a dragon, the symbol of strength and wisdom, on a kite.  She then flew the kite up to the heavens where the gods lived so they would see the wish sooner and grant it more quickly.  Kites also explains the significance of different kinds of kite symbols, provides information about kite festivals celebrated around the world, and gives clear, kid-friendly directions for making and painting kites. Demi combines, beautiful artwork, an easy story-telling style, and good solid information about one of the world's most popular hobbies.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Have you ever flown a kite high in the sky and wondered if something or someone up there might see it? Long ago in China, kites were used to send messages--and special wishes--to the gods. In Kites: Magic Wishes That Fly Up to the Sky, well-loved artist Demi tells a story of a mother who orders such a kite from a painter of holy pictures to help her son be strong and wise:

She said, "I want a picture of a dragon, the symbol of wealth, wisdom, power, and nobility, so that my son will grow up big and strong. But I do not want an ordinary picture. I want you to paint it as a kite with strings. Then I can fly it right up to the sky and the gods in heaven will see it immediately, instead of having to come down to this temple."

This tactic seemed to work, as her son immediately seemed "bigger and stronger, richer and nobler" to everyone who saw him. It wasn't long before the villagers flocked to the painter wanting magic kites, too. They asked for bird kites that would symbolize everything from good luck to peace, insect kites for love and industry, flowers, animals, gods, Buddhas, and more. On lovely, intricate double-page spreads, Demi illustrates these intricate kites, and short captions describe the symbolism of each image. Her fictional story then melds into a more factual discussion of the development of the festival of kites, held on the ninth day of the ninth month: "On this day, kite-flying is taken as a symbol of rising higher and higher, being better and better, stronger, smarter, and finer in everything one does." The book ends with step-by-step instructions on how to make a kite... right up to the final moment: "Ready, Set, Fly!" From tadpoles to elaborate butterflies, kids will find plenty to marvel at in this visually stunning history of "magic kites," and they may never look at a sky-flying kite in quite the same way again. (Ages 5 to 9)

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5A picture book that combines a story with information. In long-ago China, a woman commissioned an artist to paint a special dragon kite for her son. It was her hope that this creature representing wealth, wisdom, power and nobility would be seen by the gods in heaven and assist the boy in growing up to be big and strong. Word of the artists talent traveled, and he was soon asked to create a wide variety of flyers for other villagers. The small, intricate, colorful kites illustrated in Demis signature style and set against blues and greens are lovely to look at and will encourage readers to appreciate their beauty. Captions offer brief explanations of the different emblematic figures, creatures, and symbols, e.g., a crane denotes nobility and honesty and a cricket brings music and song. There is also mention of a Chinese festival devoted to kites, as well as detailed instructions for making a kite. The factual information, although clear, is sparse, making this title better suited to picture-book collections than the nonfiction shelves.DeAnn Tabuchi, San Anselmo Public Library, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; 1st edition (March 16, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517800497
• ISBN-13: 978-0517800492
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,327,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #95 in Books > Children's Books > Sports & Games > Camping

More About the Author

Demi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and now lives in Yarrow Point, Washington. Demi is the author and illustrator of more than one hundred children's books, including picture-book biographies. Her work has received numerous awards and accolades.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely beautiful!, April 5, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Granada Hills, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kites (Hardcover)

The talented artist, Demi, has outdone herself in this latest book. It's a wonderful showcase of beautiful and brightly colored chinese kites incorporated into a story of chinese traditions that children can understand and appreciate. Imagine my daughter's surprise when she saw several kites in this book identical to those we have hanging on our walls at home. I highly recommend buying this book!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another awesome book by Demi!, August 9, 2004

By 

KSL "emma-and-me" (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kites: Magic Wishes That Fly Up to the Sky (Paperback)

I love Demi's books! Not only are Demi's books beautiful but are filled with lots of wonderful facts and information on what different animals, fish and insects represent to the people of China! An awesome book to add to your child's library!

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful book!, September 12, 2010

By 

Allison Branscombe - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kites: Magic Wishes That Fly Up to the Sky (Paperback)

Using few words, this visual gem shows much about Chinese culture through its symbols. After reading all about the history and customs of kite flying, construct, decorate and fly a fanciful kite of your own!