String Figures and How to Make Them: A Study of Cat's Cradle in Many Lands [Paperback]

Caroline F. Jayne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1962

Fullest, clearest instruction on string figures from wide variety of cultures around the world: Eskimo, Navajo, Lapp, Europe, many others. Create such imaginative figures as a cat's cradle, a moving spear, a bolt of lightning, pointed stars and much more. 950 illustrations.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 407 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (January 1, 1962)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 048620152X
• ISBN-13: 978-0486201528
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #438,583 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The mother of all string figure books!, December 7, 2000

By 

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

This review is from: String Figures and How to Make Them: A Study of Cat's Cradle in Many Lands (Paperback)

Ms. Jayne was an interesting woman in her day. She traveled about the world, gathering anthropological research as she documented string figures worldwide. This volume is the result of her work, all the more remarkable because she did this around the turn of the century.

Many figures are included here with instructions in the creation of them, as well as anecdotal information based on her interviews with the people who taught them to her. All of the classics of string figures are included here, as well as more obscure ones she gathered along the way. This is a must for serious students of string figures, not only for the wealth of information and instruction, but also for its historical value.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent and detailed, November 19, 2003

By 

Chesapeake Reader (Charlottesville, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: String Figures and How to Make Them: A Study of Cat's Cradle in Many Lands (Paperback)

Once you master the language of manipulating the string--with a little patience-- you'll find the explanations easy to follow. The selection of string figures was wonderful. A strong collection --a legacy that has travelled throughout the world. Pass it along to your children.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was fascinated by this book when I was about 13 years old., November 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: String Figures and How to Make Them: A Study of Cat's Cradle in Many Lands (Paperback)

This book is a compendium of string figures with detailed instructions on how to make them and many illustrations. It is based largely on anthropological studies of the East Indies and that part of the world, although there are sections from Native American tribes and a few figures from Europe. My parents had a copy of this book when I was growing up and I was fascinated by it from ages 11 to about 15. I recommend it highly for anybody whose interests run in this direction.