Stories of Chinese Inventions

The list of inventions that are credited to the ancient Chinese is long and note-worthy. Several great series of picture books dramatize these moments of invention and are great books for inspiring your young inventors and artists.

Books on Chinese Inventions by Ying Chang Compestine

Chinese-American author Ying Chang Compestine has written a series of books about Chinese inventions. Each book features the Kang family: Mama, Papa, and three boys, Ting, Pan, and Kùai. Kids will love seeing how the antics of the three boys fits with these inventions.

The Story of Chopsticks (2001) imagines the circumstances surrounding the invention of chopsticks. The three Kang brothers, Ting, Pan, and Kùai, are all hungry, growing boys. Kùai, the youngest, is frustrated by having to wait for food to cool down until it was safe to eat with your fingers. A few twigs later, he invents the first chopsticks! But when the boys bring their new invention to a wedding feast, they find themselves at odds with the elders.

The Story of Noodles (2002)  Though it seems unlikely that noodles were invented because, "'We wanted a food that is easier to clean up after food fights,'" kids will enjoy this story of how an accident with dumplings leads to the possible invention of noodles, which had originated in China by the first century. The Author's Note explains some of the history and customs of noodles and includes a recipe for Long-Life Noodles.

The Story of Kites (2003) In this story, the poor Kang brothers are tired of constantly having to scare the birds away from their rice crop. First, they decide to try making their own wings, with predictably disastrous consequences, but eventually their designs lead them to the first kites. Kite-flying has been documented in China more than twenty-four hundred years ago. The book ends with an Author's Note and directions on how to make and fly your own kites.

The Story of Paper (2003) 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.

Books on Chinese Inventions by Virginia Walton Pilegard

The Warlord's Puzzle (2000). An artist brings a beautiful blue tile before the Warlord, but it drops, breaking into seven pieces. When no one can put the tile back together, the Warlord agrees to hold a contest. This accident becomes the invention of the tangrams, so named for their connection to the Tang dynasty.

The Warlord's Beads (2001). The peasant and his young son now live in the warlord's palace, but the father has been tasked with counting the warlord's vast treasure. Worried that they keep losing count spurs his son, Chuan, to invent the first abacus. The Author's Note describes the first documented use of the abacus in 14th century China and includes directions for making your own abacus.

The Warlord's Fish (2002). The artist and his young apprentice, Chuan, are kidnapped by a group of traders and taken out across the wilds and into the vast desert (along the Silk Route and through the Takla Makan, though the names are not used). When a sandstorm blocks the sun and clouds block the stars, Chuan convinces the artist to use his south-pointing fish to help them find their way to the oasis. The Author's Note explains that the Chinese invented a south-pointing compass made of a magnetic spoon by the third century BC(E) and includes directions for making your own floating compass.

The Warlord's Puppeteers (2003). Chuan tries to help a group of traveling puppeteers, after a bandit raid seizes their puppets. This book focuses on introducing children to the concepts of proportion and includes directions for making your own sock puppets.

The Warlord's Kites (2004). Chuan and his friend Jing Jing are concerned about the approach of an enemy army and conceive of the idea of using flutes attached to kites to frighten them off. In this story, Jing Jing takes a starring role as the inventor and quick-thinker. Directions are include for handmade kites.

The Warlord's Messengers: a mathematical adventure (2005). Young Chuan and Jing Jing are concerned when an invitation arrives for the warlord, but he will not receive the message in time. The friends brainstorm a faster way to travel and invent a wind-driven carriage. These "sailing carriages" were mentioned in Chinese literature 1500 years ago. The book ends with directions for creating a wind sock (another Chinese invention).

The Warlord's Alarm (2006). This story seems to take place immediately following The Warlord's Messengers. Chuan and Jing Jing are accompanying the warlord on his trip to visit the emperor, but in order for the warlord to arrive exactly when the gates of the city open, they need to figure out a way to keep track of time during the night, when a sundial is useless. The invent a water clock, and the Author's Note describes some of the complicated water clocks used by the Chinese. There are also directions to make your own dripping water clock.

The Emperor's Army: a mathematical adventure (2010). A bit of a departure from the rest of the series, this book tells the story of a father and son in court of Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang who are forced into hiding by the emperors proclamation against books and scholars. This leads them to discover the building of the emperor's famed terracotta warriors, and the Author's Note includes information about their eventual re-discovery.

The Power of Girls and Schools: text set

Throughout history and even in some places today, girls have not always had the same opportunities as boys when it comes to schools and education. These picture books share the power of girls and schools to make a difference. Share one and empower a young girl (or boy) in your life!

The Power of Girls and Schools

China, 1900s. Ruby's Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. (H/T Kendra at Simply Learning Together.) This story is based on the experiences of the author's own grandmother, who grew up in China at a time when all the girls in her family were expected to get married and only the boys were expected the stay in school. Ruby fights for her own education, writing a fiercely honest poem that impresses her grandfather. A story about the importance of standing up for yourself.

The Great Depression, 1933. The Lucky Star by Judy Young and illustrated by Chris Ellison. During the Great Depression in the United States, many smaller schools were closed due to lack of funds and many students dropped out of school to help support their families. The Lucky Star is the story of fifth-grader Ruth who learns how to be her little sister's lucky star by teaching her and other neighbor children how to read, write, and do arithmetic after their local school closes down. This book would be a great tie-in to lessons about this time in US History.

Afghanistan, 1990-2000s. Nasreen's Secret School: a true story from Afghanistan by Jeanette Winter. Young Nasreen stops speaking after the Taliban take her parents away and close down schools for girls in Afghanistan. Her grandmother finds out about and sends her to a secret school for girls where she slowly opens up and learns the importance of knowledge. This book highlights some of the challenges facing girls who want to get an education.

Afghanistan, 2000s. Razia's Ray of Hope: one girl's dream of an education by Elizabeth Suneby and illustrated by Suana Verelst. This powerful picture book is based on the true story of the Zabuli Education Center started by Razia Jan outside Kabul, Afghanistan. The main character, also named Razia, finds out about the construction of the new school and wants desperately to attend. Despite her grandfather's support, her brother initially bans her from going. Only by proving the power of an education and convincing the teacher to come speak to her family, does Razia get to go to school. The book includes statistics about children not in school as well as the back story about Razia Jan, the school's founder. There is also a page of possible classroom activities and discussion questions. (H/T Carol at Carol's Corner.)

 

Pakistan, 2010s. Every Day is Malala Day by Rosemary McCarney. The book opens with an overview of Malala and provides background knowledge about how she was attacked for supporting education for girls in Pakistan. The rest of the book is a photo essay that pairs letters written by girls around the world with evocative photographs of other girls and some of the difficulties they face in getting an education. This book is a way to address the modern problems with girls and schools for students who might be too young to read Malala's own autobiography, I am Malala: the girl who stood up for education and was shot by the Taliban.

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday Challenge is hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and is a weekly roundup of educator blogs that are sharing nonfiction picture books. Click the link to check out other nonfiction posts.

We Were There, Too! Young People in U.S. History

We Were There, Too! Young People in U.S. History by Phillip Hoose. This book is my go-to resource for teaching students about United States history, and it is one that I returned to again and again throughout the year when I taught fourth grade. Students often begged for "just one more" story from the book, and several chose to read the book themselves during independent reading time.

We Were There, Too! is a collection of biographies about children throughout the course of the history of the United States. Each biography provides a brief historical overview of the period and the child, and then the story is told of a specific event or events through the eyes of that child (third person limited). Many stories conclude with a "What Happened To" section that provides a quick summation of the rest of their life. The chapters also provide additional information about the time period in the form of text boxes, maps, illustrations, and photographs.

This book is important because it shows the impact of individuals in history and how history impacted those individuals. It also appeals to children, because they are learning about other children, rather than experiencing history through the eyes of adults or white men with power. We Were There, Too! gives voice to the Taino visited by Columbus, to young spies in the Revolutionary War, to sweatshop girls and suffragists, and to young Civil Rights leaders. No matter the US history unit, you will find something of value in this book.

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday Challenge is hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and is a weekly roundup of educator blogs that are sharing nonfiction picture books. Though We Were There, Too! is quite a bit longer than your standard picture book, I thought it would be a good fit for those seeking valuable nonfiction resources for students.