The Story of Paper by Ying Chang Compestine, Yongsheng Xuan (2003) Library Binding

by Ying Chang Compestine

The Story of Paper by Ying Chang Compestine, Yongsheng Xuan [Holiday House, 2...

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Childrens, School, China, International, Family

Library Binding

First published August 1, 2003

About the author

A leading national authority on culture and cuisine, award-winning author, and former food editor for Martha Stewart's Whole Living magazine, Ying Chang Compestine has written 27 books across multiple genres, including picture books, YA novels, and healthy adult cookbooks. She has hosted cooking shows, worked as a food editor for Martha Stewart’s Body+Soul, and was a spokesperson for Nestle Maggi and Celestial Seasonings.

Her novel "Revolution is Not a Dinner Party" and her memoir "Growing Up Under a Red Flag" recount her childhood during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. These works have received awards globally and high praise from prestigious media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and Publisher's Weekly. Her novel "A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts" is currently being adapted into an animated TV series.

Named one of the "50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading" by The Author's Show, her books have sold worldwide in multiple languages. Endorsed by Dr. Andrew Weil, her cookbook "Cooking with an Asian Accent" has been described as “a contemporary new cuisine.”

Ying believes food can be both healthy and delicious and that healthy eating is the key to a long, happy life. By integrating her background into her recipe creation, she features the three most critical Asian principles of food in her dishes: satisfaction of the senses, yin-yang balance, and medicinal properties.

In addition to writing, Ying has been a sought-after keynote speaker for high-end cruise ships, private jets, and resorts, including The World Residences at Sea, Crystal, Silver Sea, Viking, TCS World Travel, and Canyon Ranch. Ying is also frequently invited to speak at schools and conferences worldwide to share her journey as a writer—how her life in Wuhan, China, inspired her work—and to promote healthy eating and living. Her website is www.yingc.com

Reviews

[Madison Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Last semester I took Dr. Lamb's diversity class, therefore I understand the importance of having books of different cultures in our classroom. I would read this book during class to show that not everything is made in America. At the end of the book is a recipe to make your own paper, so as a week long lesson my class and I would follow steps to make our own paper to use in class. I think this will show my students what this culture had to go through when they did not have paper, and show them that no matter what your age is you can invent anything.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although fictitious, the story of these three school boys shows how paper was made in China.

Ages: 4 - 8

#geography #asia #china

**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.

[Maria Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book was educational, fun and cute. The story follows three boys who would get their mistakes of the day written on their arms, and ultimately invented paper with bits of silk bark and wood. Paper is something we use in our day to day lives, and I think the process of how it's made would be interesting and fun.

[Kaitlin Eck · Rating 4 out of 5]

(2003) The Kang brothers are back at it in The Story of Paper! I love how these characters transfer over from the other "The Story of" books! This could make a great read-aloud book for young children, even if just for fun!

[Bernice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fun loving story is about three little boys who always seem to get into trouble. Taken place long ago in China, they would use the ground to write and do their work. Only the rich could afford to write on silk. Every day the boys would get into trouble the teacher would write on their arms what they did wrong that day. On their trip home everyday, they would have to run home with their arms up sure not to have the writing wash away. Tired of getting in trouble and having to hold their arms up all day, they try to figure out a way to write on something besides the ground. After helping their mom make rice cakes, one of the boys comes up with an idea. Together they took strips of old cloth and silk mixed it with tree branches and bark, mashed and flattened it into sheets of paper. They present the paper to their teacher who can now write notes to their parents on sheets instead of their arms. The teacher presents this new invention to the emperor and named the sheets "zhi" meaning paper.

This ficitional story presents us with characters that help describe how real paper was invented. The author's note at the end of the story gives us a more realistic version of how paper was made and the history behind the invention. Although this is a fun presentation of how paper was made, it is not authentic. It is more of a tale similar to tales from other cultures describing how things came to be.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about three young Chinese boys who get distracted from doing their school work on a regular basis, because of the fact that they have to write on dirt. They get distracted by all the bugs and insects. After watching rice cakes being made they get an idea to take fabric, twigs, and all sorts of fiberous items and toss them into water. The items soften up and following the rice cake process they create paper. Instead of continuing to be bad students, Kuai, Ting and Pan become heros for making paper. The illustrations are nice. The story is followed by an author's note which tells the story of how paper orginated in China. It also has a recipe for homemade garden paper:

2 foot length toilet paper, shredded
1 1/4 cups water
6 small rose petals
6 small rose leaves
a mason jar
2 sheets cheesecloth,cut into 8x8 squares
1 thick rubber band
1 towel

Combine paper, water, rose petals and leaves in blender and mix.
Drain using cheesecloth. Dry with towel and sun or warm oven.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fictional story about how three brothers in China invented paper. I like how the author included a note at the end describing how paper was really invented and a recipe for homemade paper. This would be a great story to read to children because paper is something we use several times a day. We use paper so much that we often take advantage of it, but we fail to consider how much work is put into making it.

I would also recommend reading this to children when discussing inventions. Often times when we think of life changing inventions we think of automobiles, telephones, computers, etc., but some of the smallest inventions, like paper, can change the world.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about three Chinese brothers, set historically before the invention of paper. When the boys misbehave at school, the teacher writes a note on their hands to shame them and to inform their parents. This motivates the boys to invent paper so there will be a more private way of communicating. In the author's note, the reader is informed more about the history of paper, which originated in China. Also there is a recipe for making homemade garden paper.

[Romelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fictional story about three children and how they invented paper. THE STORY OF PAPER by Ying Chang Compestine reads like a folktale- warm, inviting, and charming. What I appreciate about this book is the author's note on the origins of paper because I was craving a nonfiction picture book on this topic. As it is, I would categorize this as an informational fiction. Also included is an activity on how to make your own paper. This is what makes this book extra special.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Kang boys are at it again, this time inventing paper. As always, I love YongSheng Xuan's colorful illustrations. I also appreciated the historical information on paper and the instructions for making one's own paper at the end of the book. I've always wanted to do that... Nice book for a classroom project on papermaking.

[Katie Logonauts · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kang boys are not doing well in school and are blaming the bugs and insects that distract them as they are practicing their writing in the dirt. After much experimentation, they hit upon paper. The Author's Note includes a detailed description of the oldest paper and its introduction to the Chinese emperor, as well as directions for making homemade "garden" paper.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute enough story. I thought it was pretty funny that the teacher had to send notes home about the student by writing it on their palm and then instructing the child to hold it high and not let it get wet.

Cool that it includes a recipe for making paper at the end.

[Michelle White]

I think students would like this book. It is a cool take on telling the story of something we use everyday like paper. We could use it to start a talk on where stuff (in this case paper) actually does come from. I got it from the IUS Library.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story of Paper by Ying Chang Compestine, illustrated by YongSheng Xuan – Another fantastic adapted story about how paper was created. What a way to explain the reason for incentive for creating paper, to avoid answering questions about what a teacher says.

[Alexandria K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows how to make paper. You make paper with small pieces of silk, water, bark, twigs, wood slivers, leaves, and bamboo rice stainers.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Informative and colorful account of three Chinese boys who invent paper. The best part of the book is the recipe for making paper at the back.

[Shannon Jackson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting story of how paper is made, but extremely lengthy and somewhat boring.

[Amber Pound · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about three creative boys who wanted to make a way to keep their drawings instead of writing in sand. Includes a recipe for paper.

[Amanda Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. I am not 100% sure if it is a true story or not, but it was a great read. The kids would love it. It is also a great story that talks about another culture.

[Kristin Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like that the book teaches children about how paper is made, but the story was very lengthy and not that interesting. It was difficult for me to stay focused and finish the book.

[CFAITC]

Learn about the accidental creation of paper when Ting, Pan, and Kuai try to create something for their teachers to write on.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Includes a recipe for paper.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love her books.