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Grab a bite...better!

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The Story of Chopsticks
Amazing Chinese Inventions

By Ying Chang Compestine
Illustrated by YongSheng Xuan

$15.95, hardcover, 36 Pages,
ISBN: 978-1-59702-120-3, 8.75 wide x 11.25 tall

"Bold and beautiful cut-paper design in bright colors resembling stained glass, instantly draws our attention. Popular Chinese-American author Ying Chang Compestine cooks up a tale to let children in on the birth of chopsticks."
- In Culture Parent

Enjoy the first adventure in this colorful series of how the Kang brothers discovered some of China's most amazing inventions!

This revised edition includes a new bilingual translation in simplified Chinese.

Poor Kùai! The youngest boy in the Kang family never gets enough to eat. One day he comes up with a brilliant plan: he will use sticks to grab the food when it's too hot to touch. What will his family think?

Then comes a big wedding the entire village will attend... with a delicious feast to mark the occasion. Along with presents, Kùai sneaks in his sticks. Now will Kùai be in the biggest trouble of his life?

Pre-order your autographed copy
- get a free limited edition postcard

International readers - please note: non-USA addresses need additional postage. Click here to add the appropriate amount to your shopping cart before you check out.Thank you!

More praise

"[A] modern pourquoi tale... rooted in Chinese culture and offers American readers an authentic glimpse of its traditions."
-School Library Journal

"Like the hues in a stained glass window, [the colors] look brilliant…this well-designed book will please children in the primary grades..."
-ALA Booklist

See more books from this series!

Get the Complete Set!

Order all 4 books and get "practically free" shipping!

Normally shipping is $3.95 per book. But now get a 70% discount off shipping: pay a total of only $4.95 USPS media mail for USA addresses. One book set is $63.80 ($15.95/book x 4 books).

International readers - please note: non-USA addresses need additional postage. Contact us and we'll estimate the appropriate amount for your country. Thank you!

Reviews

"Compestine concocts a delicious blend of fact and fiction... this charming tale deserves a place in the multicultural curriculum. Xuan's richly colored traditional Chinese cut paper illustrations lend authenticity." -Kirkus Reviews

"The Story of Chopsticks is a delight from beginning to end." - San Marino Toy and Book Shoppe, CA

"I've been asked more times than I could count about chopsticks - why Chinese people use them, how they started using them, etc., etc... The Story of Chopsticks by Ying Chang Compestine answers it for me." - My Overthinking

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Press Release

Leveled Reading

Lexile Level: 580L
Lexile Code: AD "adult directed"
Fountas & Pinnel (F&P GRL): M
GLE (Grade Level): 2
Interest Level: K-5
Reading Recovery Level (RRL): 20