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Marjorie Flack

Kurt Wiese

The Story about Ping Paperback – Picture Book, August 28, 2000

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

4.8 2,091 ratings

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Since 1933, The Story About Ping has captivated generations of readers, but never before has it been available in a mass-market paperback format. No one can deny the appeal of the book's hero, Ping, the spirited little duck who lives on a boat on the Yangtze River. Ping's misadventures one night while exploring the world around his home form the basis of this timeless classic, which is brought to life by Kurt Wiese's warm and poignant illustrations.

Reading age

3 - 5 years, from customers
Print length

32 pages
Language

English
Grade level

Preschool - 3
Lexile measure

AD920L
Dimensions

8 x 0.13 x 8 inches
Publisher

Grosset & Dunlap
Publication date

August 28, 2000
ISBN-10

0448421658
ISBN-13

978-0448421650
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Editorial Reviews

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 ‏ : ‎ Grosset & Dunlap; Illustrated edition (August 28, 2000)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0448421658
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0448421650
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 5 years, from customers
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD920L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 0.13 x 8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #7,187 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8 in Children's Duck Books (Books)
- #217 in Children's Classics
- #442 in Children's Literature (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.8 2,091 ratings

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4.8 out of 5

2,091 global ratings

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Professor Kristie

Vibrant Colors-great story!

Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2023

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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.

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Siyue

My favorite Childhood book is Ping

Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2023

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Ping is a classic tale of a duck who isn't satisfied with his life. He thinks if he goes out on his own he will have a better life without his family. He has an adventure yet every where he turns there is danger and no one who cares about him. This book has a great lesson of appreciate what you have. And be more tolerating of your families flaws, they are the ones who cares.

I got this book for me. I like children's books. I regretted when I was little giving my hard book copy away because my sister told me to. This is a soft cover reprint but I liked revisiting this story and sharing it with my friends.

6 people found this helpful

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Terry Foster

It's a Cute Duck what could go wrong

Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2023

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The story is not based in China so happy ending.

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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!!!

21 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Ping children’s book

Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2023

Verified Purchase

Classic story. Arrived in very good condition for a gift

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2023

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Adorable story. Don't be last or you get the switch!

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K Harris

Ping

Reviewed in Australia on December 8, 2019

Verified Purchase

Very happy

songe

It's just a simple story, but very enjoyable.

Reviewed in Japan on November 1, 2013

Verified Purchase

I read this as a child and now I have my students read it. There's nothing terribly profound in it, but it paints a very charming picture of an interesting world. It is also a good way to help children understand why obedience is important. I'm happy I can still have access to it and I'm happy I can share it with others.

One person found this helpful

Lester McIntosh

One of the all time best kid's books - if your child only had one book, this would be a good choice.

Reviewed in Germany on December 14, 2016

Verified Purchase

This truly is one of the best kid's books ever. Even though it's about eighty years old, the story is timeless. My parents loved it, I love it and my children love it. This is actually our second copy. Our first one is very old and getting fragile so I bought a new one to read. When I started reading it to my children, I was surprised how vividly I remembered the story and the pictures from my childhood.

tragos

A favorite since childhood

Reviewed in Germany on May 24, 2014

Verified Purchase

I came to love this book while hearing it read on Captain Kangaroo. The pictures and the story mesmerized me. The story flows with the river and the sun.

Years later, I loved reading it to my son, and now I am reading it to others in far away Germany.

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.

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The Story about Ping Paperback – Picture Book, August 28, 2000

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A bedtime story that never falls from favour, and a read-aloud delight.

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Kurt Wiese

Marjorie Flack

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The Story about Ping Paperback – Picture Book, August 28, 2000

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A bedtime story that never falls from favour, and a read-aloud delight.

Important information

About the authors

Kurt Wiese

Marjorie Flack

Customer reviews

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