Kirkus Reviews QR Code
KITE FLYING by Grace Lin

KITE FLYING

by Grace Lin & illustrated by Grace Lin

Pub Date: June 1st, 2001
ISBN: 0-375-81520-1
Publisher: Knopf

A windy day offers the family from Dim Sum for Everyone! (2002) the perfect opportunity to build and fly a kite. Beginning from raw materials, each member takes part in the creation of the flying paper dragon. “Ma-Ma joins sticks together. Ba-Ba glues the paper.” The children take turns cutting the whiskers, painting a mouth, and adding colorful eyes. Finally the family attaches a noisemaker and some string. Heading out to a windy field, they send the dragon into the air, watching as it dances across the sky, joining dozens of other kites in flight. Painted illustrations that seem to be cut from brightly colored origami paper fill each page. The bold artwork and simple text with the obvious accompanying activity will interest young readers as they are introduced to this wonderful Chinese tradition. An author’s note following the text summarizes the history and significance of kite-flying in the Chinese culture. Endpapers feature illustrations of the materials needed for building a kite and the symbolic meaning of some kite shapes. As cheerful as a breezy summer day. (Picture book. 2-5)