The Story about Ping (Reading Railroad Books)
by Marjorie Flack
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Book Summary Information
Author: Marjorie FlackBrand: Grosset & Dunlap
Illustrator: Kurt Wiese
Edition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2000-08-28
ISBN: 0448421658
Number of pages: 32
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Book Reviews of The Story about Ping (Reading Railroad Books)
Book Review: An eternal classic, in the same league as the books by Virginia Lee Burton.
Summary: 5 Stars
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!!!
Summary of The Story about Ping (Reading Railroad Books)
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.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)
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