Crouching Tiger - Hardcover

Compestine, Ying Chang

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0763646423 ISBN 13: 9780763646424

Publisher: Candlewick, 2011

Synopsis

A Chinese-American boy gains a new understanding of his Chinese grandfather in this celebratory story of family, martial arts, and the Chinese New Year.

Vinson is very excited when his grandfather comes from China for a visit. When Grandpa practices tai chi in the garden, Vinson asks to learn, hoping it will be like kung fu, full of kicks and punches. But tai chi’s meditative postures are slow and still, and Vinson quickly gets bored. He can’t understand why Grandpa insists on calling him by his Chinese name, Ming Da, or why he has to wear a traditional Chinese jacket to the Chinese New Year parade. As the parade assembles, however, he notices the great respect given to his grandfather and the lion dancers under his training. And when Vinson is offered a role in the parade, he realizes that being part Chinese can be pretty cool—and is ready to start learning from his grandpa’s martial-arts mastery in earnest.

About this title

About the Author

Ying Chang Compestine is the author of the acclaimed middle-grade novel Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party as well as several picture books and a collection of short stories, A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts. Ying Chang Compestine lives in California. 

Yan Nascimbene, an award-winning illustrator of many books for children, has illustrated more than three hundred book covers for publishers all over the world. His editorial illustrations have appeared in Time, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, and many other publications. Yan Nascimbene lives in the south of France and in California.

From Booklist

To his surprise, Vinson learns that his visiting Chinese grandfather’s slow dance is a martial art called tai chi. He finds the meditative discipline frustrating—not “a real kung fu”—until he sees his grandfather prevent an accident with a strong, accurate kick. At the Chinese New Year celebration, Vinson observes the respect others have for his grandfather, who assigns him the coveted role of “cabbage boy” for the lion dancers. Both Vinson’s desire to hit something and his gradual shift in attitude toward his grandfather and tai chi ring true. Loosely knitted together, the tai chi and Chinese New Year story elements make this a longish picture book. Text appears on left pages, accompanied by small sketches of tai chi stances. Uncluttered watercolor-and-ink illustrations portray the biracial family on facing pages, occasionally spilling back for busy celebration scenes. An appended author’s note provides additional cultural information. An attraction for martial arts fans, this is also ideal for Chinese New Year and multicultural units. Grades K-3. --Linda Perkins

About this edition

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0763646423
• ISBN 13: 9780763646424
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Nascimbene Yan