Cat's Cradle, Owl's Eyes: A Book of String Games

by Camilla Gryski

Explains how to make a variety of designs on the fingers with string and describes the rules for games played with string

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens, Games, How To, Reference, Picture Books

78 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Camilla Gryski is a Canadian librarian and string figure enthusiast. She has a degree in English, an M.L.S., an M.Ed, and a Montessori Primary Teaching Certificate. She worked in Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children as a therapeutic clown.

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been intrigued by string games. My sister and I played Cat's Cradle on long car trips (anything over an hour) and on hot summer days. I always wondered how people came up with the original 'game.' No matter how hard I tried to invent a new string
game, I always succeeded in making a tangle.

These directions are easy to follow.

Why not 5 stars? I would have liked a better cultural connection.

[Dorothy Himberc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was maybe ten years old when my siblings and I received this book as a present. A week or so later I'd begun memorizing the string figures. The stories behind each figure were interesting and new, the written and diagrammed explanations were accessible, and it was exciting to 'travel around the world' by reading about the places and meanings behind each one.

Three decades later I still struggle with the 'Japanese Butterfly' and the 'Looper Caterpillar'! But everything else felt familiar as I picked up the book from the shelf today and tried it out, with the same string that came alongside the original purchase.

[Johanna Cormier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best string game book I have ever found. I have been playing string games since elementary school. I first found this book at a camp as a young adult. It had all the string formations I remembered and many more as well as variations. It is good enough that I ordered a used copy online for my own personal library.

[Peggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book every for teaching kids (and adults) how to do string figures.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entertained me and friends for hours as kids.

[Chak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has all of the string games / figures I remember playing as a kid, plus many I've never even heard of, including The Siberian House and The Japanese Butterfly. I've seen The Fishnet before, but never knew what it was. The book shows how to go from The FIshnet into the Eiffel Tower and then a Witch's Hat. Several of the figure instructions show progressions such as these. The diagrams are easy to understand (at least for an adult or older kids) and there are useful notes along with the diagrams to round out the instruction.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I don't think this is the best book, I love the idea of it. It is a fun way to get kids to do something other than watch T.V or play on their Ipads. I think that it is fun to get some string and do different games with it. That is why I gave this book a 3/5. I think the art isn't all that appealing, but it is good. So I encourage teachers and parents to let their kids use this book to their advantage. So go for it, BUY THIS BOOK!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book at the library when I was a kid, and then I found it recently at our current library (which is awesome, by the way). I have a lot of fun with these, and my four-year-old, had fun seeing the figures, especially those that he could participate in. The instructions are easy to follow and have great step-by-step illustrations.

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book! Excellent descriptions, clear directions and interesting historical/cultural tidbits related to string figures. This book has provided hours of entertainment for my children already. I recommend it for anyone looking for a non-electronic way to direct the obsessive compulsive little gamers in their lives. :-)

[Johnathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never grew up playing string games so this was really interesting to me. I would keep a copy around for when kids think that all they need for entertainment is a computer or any electronic device. It was fun to look at things that seemed easy and to realize that they would be very difficult to do and perform.

[Merinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up playing string games with my mom and siblings. I fell in love with this book when I saw it because it brought back all of those fond childhood memories I have. The illustrations and instructions in this book add to the clarity of the instructions, and these games can be quite entertaining for people of all ages.

[Loryn Tindall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! The illistrations are terrific as it teaches how to tie string into awesome designs. It also teaches terminology and gives a history of tying. It would definitely keep kids busy for hours!

[Fred Mindlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic by the master of the genre

[Sue Mosher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an old book, but really good to show you how to make string figures.