The Legend of the Kite: A Story of China

by Chen Jiang Hong (illustrator/co-author), Boris Moissard, Jacqueline Miller (Translator)

Every spring the Festival of the Kite is celebrated in China. When a boy's kite flies away from him, his grandfather tells him the legend behind the celebration, encouraging the boy to build a new, more beautiful kite.

Genres: China, History, Picture Books, Childrens

29 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 1996

About the author

Chen Jiang Hong was born in Tianjin, China, where he studied fine art at the School of Arts before completing his postgraduate education at the China Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. After graduating, he moved to Paris where he studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and began his career as an artist. His work has been exhibited around the world, notably at the library gallery at the Louvre, at the Centre Pompidou, and at Versailles. His work is in the permanent collection of the Snite Museum at the University of Notre Dame. NYRB Kids publishes Chen Jiang Hong's The Tiger Prince and The Dragon Flower.

Reviews

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy and his grandfather are celebrating the Kite Festival in China. The grandfather tells the boy the folktale about how the kite festival started. It is a story about a young man and woman in love, who were able to live happily together because of a kite. At the end of the book is an appendix with a little description of China and the history of kites.

The pictures in this book mimic ancient Chinese art, with ink painted outlines and some pale watercolor added to highlight certain parts. Modern kids will probably not like the muted color and old style unless taught to appreciate it. The legend is short and sweet. This would be a good multicultural addition to a library.

[Cherry (_forevermint) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked the legend and the illustrations in this, though some younger children may not appreciate the art style and lose interest.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book we read for a homeschool history unit on dynastic China - the legend of the origin of kite-flying in Chinese culture. Fun!

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Legend of the Kite- A Story of China by Chen Jiang Hong - beautiful love story with an interesting.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't get how the scheme worked. I liked the art though. And am grateful for the appendix.

[Denicemarcell]

I had not considered the history of kites therefore this is a most instructive book.