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The Story About Ping Paperback – August 25, 1977

by Marjorie Flack (Author), Kurt Wiese (Illustrator) (Author)

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"Kurt Wiese and Majorie Flack have created in Ping a duckling of great individuality against a background (the Yangtze River) that has both accuracy and charm." -- The New York Times

Reading age

2 - 5 years, from customers
Print length

32 pages
Language

English
Grade level

Preschool - 3
Lexile measure

AD920L
Dimensions

8.86 x 7.15 x 0.17 inches
Publisher

Puffin Books
Publication date

August 25, 1977
ISBN-10

0140502416
ISBN-13

978-0140502411
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The tale of a little duck alone on the Yangtze River, The Story About Ping is a sweet and funny book with wonderfully rich and colorful illustrations. On a day like any other, Ping sets off from the boat he calls home with his comically large family in search of "pleasant things to eat." On this particular day, he is accidentally left behind when the boat leaves. Undaunted, the little duck heads out onto the Yangtze in search of his family, only to find new friends and adventures--and a bit of peril--around every bend.

The exceptional illustrations bring the lush Yangtze to life, from Ping's family to the trained fishing birds he finds himself among to the faithfully rendered boats and fishermen. Certainly intended to be read aloud, The Story About Ping deserves a place on every young reader's (or listener's) shelf. (Picture book)

About the Author

Marjorie Flack first got the idea for her classic story from her first book, written by her friend Helen Lomen. The Peking ducks in Angus and the Ducks so intrigued her that she began researching them. The Story About Ping was the result. She went on to write and illustrate many more children's stories, including Boats on the River, illustrated by Jay Hyde Barnum, which was named a Caldecott Honor Book. Ms. Flack died in 1958.

Kurt Wiese illustrated almost three hundred books for children. Books he both wrote and illustrated include You Can Write Chinese and Fish in the Air. Both stories were named Caldecott Honor Books, and reflect his experiences as a traveler in China where he lived for six years. Mr. Wiese died in 1974.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Puffin Books (August 25, 1977)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0140502416
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140502411
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2 - 5 years, from customers
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD920L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.86 x 7.15 x 0.17 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #473,269 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #337 in Children's Duck Books (Books)
- #3,494 in Children's Classics
- #11,504 in Children's Action & Adventure Books (Books)

Customer Reviews:
2,181

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Marjorie Flack
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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5

2,181 global ratings

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Tom Brody

An eternal classic, in the same league as the books by Virginia Lee Burton.

Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2010

Verified Purchase

THE STORY ABOUT PING by Marjorie Flack and Kurt Wiese is a 32-page book, with an illustration on every page. The illustations have black ink outlines of the characters and objects, which are filled in with colored pastel chalk. The texture of the drawing paper can be seen, by way of the near-microscopic dots. The textures of the chalk marks, the streaks and dots, are a treat to the eye. The book is a classic, having been first published in 1933.

The first picture shows a line of ducks walking off a wooden boat, across a board, to a meadow. Ping is in the middle of the line. The next picture shows the same ducks climbing back into the boat at sunset. The next picture shows Ping's choice not to return the boat, because he was a little late in returning and was afraid of getting a spank from the master of the boat. The last duck on board always got a spank.

The next 20 or so pictures show the consequences of Ping's decision to stay away. Being alone at night. Being lost on the river amidst a group of unfamiliar wooden boats, and not knowing which boat was his. Being captured by a boy. Being imprisoned in a basket on a boat. Being released from the basket by the boy. Spotting his familiar family of ducks from a distance, and swimming back to his boat. Getting a spank.

The narrative begins like this: "Once upon a time there was a beautifil young duck named Ping. Ping lived with his mother and his father and two sisters and three brothers and eleven aunts and seven uncles and forty-two cousins. Their home was a boat with two wise eyes on the Yangtze River."

These opening words remind me of the opening words of another classic, where most of the story takes place on the water: "Call me Ishmael. Some years ago - never mind how long precisely - having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen, and regulating the circulation."

Both books are classics. But THE STORY OF PING is a classic suitable especially for little kids.

My list of "must own" children's books include: THE STORY ABOUT PING by Marjorie Flack, THE LITTLE HOUSE by Virginia Lee Burton, CAPS FOR SALE by Esphyr Slobodkina, the books illustrated by Tibor Gergley, and of course RICHARD SCARRY'S BEST STORYBOOK EVER! by Richard Scarry. Oh, to be the parent of a 2-year old once again!!!

24 people found this helpful

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Professor Kristie

Vibrant Colors-great story!

Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2023

Verified Purchase

I bought this book for my 4-year-old grandson for two reasons. The first is that his Daddy (my son) loved this book as a child. The second reason is that it is easy to have a discussion about behavior and consequences after reading this book. Ping, the little duck gets separated from his family which he thinks is no big deal; however, he is captured by people on another boat and placed under a basket. He hears that he will become their dinner and it is only because of the bravery of a little boy on the boat that Ping escapes back into the Yangtze River. He is rejoined with his family, but not before he gets a "spank" from a rod from the owner of the boat where his entire family lives. We do not spank our grandson but use "time-out" when discipline is needed. It is easy to explain that the duck received a "spank" like our grandson gets a time-out. Our grandson has responded positively to this story.
We started taking our grandson to the library at 2 years old to introduce him to reading. Once we read "The Story of Ping", he would ask for it again and again. So many times this library book was already checked out. Now he will be ever to look at the pages and hear the story read at home with his only copy.

5 people found this helpful

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Sherry H. Beasley

Story from my childhood

Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2024

Verified Purchase

I was so happy to find this book remembered from my childhood. I purchased this as a gift for my young great-niece. It’s a great book at a very good price!

Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2024

Verified Purchase

As a child so wanted to share with the grandkids

One person found this helpful

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Christophe

Fun classic for young children

Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2024

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Quite pleased with this purchase, book quality is good, young children (4yo, 3yo) really enjoy.

One person found this helpful

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Jamie

Entertaining and holds attention

Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2023

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My kids adore this book! Ages 9,8,7,6

One person found this helpful

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Jen N.

Classic story

Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2023

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This book was one of my favorites from my childhood and I thoroughly enjoy reading it to my baby. She loves it too. The pictures are very vibrant as well.

3 people found this helpful

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HJK

Classic Children's Book with some caveats

Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2017

Verified Purchase

I recently purchased this for my 18 month old. This was a book I remember loving when I was little so I was excited to get it for my children. I will be honest, my daughter LOVES this book. She wants me to read it to her every night and over and over again. My 3 year old is not as interested. That said, I see this being perfect for a 3 year old and I'm not sure most 18 month olds will enjoy this as it is a little heavier on the words. My daughter happens to love certain elements of this book which keep her picking it out every night.

All that said, there are a few elements that I didn't recall about this from when I was little, that I'm not certain will be acceptable to all parents. SPOILER ALERT (please don't read the below list if you don't want to find out any specifics about what happens in this book):

-- The last duck to go back to the boat gets spanked each night. I'm not sure how I feel about that in today's world. For example, I would not be ok with our children hitting our dog, which is the closest thing we have in our home.
-- There is a scene where a mother whose son captures Ping, the duck, gets excited about cooking Ping for dinner. I don't have issue with this per se, but I do wonder whether all parents will enjoy explaining that portion of the book.
-- On his adventure, Ping encounters some large hunting birds which have tight metal rings on their necks so that they are not able to swallow the fish that they hunt for their master. I remember this specific element from when I was little. I thought it was fascinating at the time. Now, I find it sort of cruel. My children have not asked about this, but I'm not sure how I will explain it.
**END OF SPOILER**

All that said, I am still happy with this book. I think the story is great. I love that it takes place in China as I seek out books that happen in different countries and cultures. I also like that the story is a little less cute than many children's books. The illustrations also have a great nostalgic feel for me personally and are also just charming and something that at least one of my children really enjoys.

16 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

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emily geier

Cute!

Reviewed in Canada on January 19, 2023

Verified Purchase

We love this book! We come back to it again and again. Great writing and beautiful illustrations.

Sharma R

Received book in damaged condition

Reviewed in India on December 4, 2023

Verified Purchase

Received book in a damaged condition, folded and not able to read properly.
No protocol followed for delivery I guess.
and worst of all no replacement possible.

Derrick Phillips

Excellent little story.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 31, 2021

Verified Purchase

The charming story is just right for kids of 3 years and over, I was given the book as a child 78 years ago and loved reading it again and again - still have the original copy. Gave a copy to my 3 year old granddaughter, who loves it.

PHL284

Lovely story about a naughty duck

Reviewed in Germany on April 25, 2021

Verified Purchase

Very old story but a simple one. For young children up to about 6 yrs. About not running away and staying with family to be safe. Nice pictures.

Sophie

Conte asiatique

Reviewed in France on November 27, 2017

Verified Purchase

Très beau conte asiatique avec des illustrations différentes de celles qu'on a l'habitude de voir (comme sur la couverture). Conte à recommandé à tout âge.

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