The Quest for a Tangram Dragon

(Hardback)

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Description

Experiencing an unending drought, Little Triangle sets off in search of a dragon to bring rain to the thirsty land. On his quest, Little Triangle meets other shapes who want to help. The group grows and grows, until there are seven shapes: Little Triangle, Second Little Triangle, Square, Parallelogram, Medium Triangle, Big Triangle, and Second Big Triangle. But there's still no sign of the dragon they need. Just when the shapes are ready to give up their search, they discover something wonderful: if they all work together, they can become the dragon they've been looking for! Working as a team, they soar through the sky and shower the thirsty land with rain. Author Christine Liu-Perkins and illustrator Lynn Scurfield introduce the classic Chinese Tangram puzzle to young readers in a clever and warm-hearted story about the power of persistence and teamwork.

Reviews

"In this collaboration-focused guide to the Chinese tangram puzzle, Liu-Perkins and Scurfield introduce seven shapes on a mission to end a drought . . . Offering narrative life to an age-old puzzle, the creators introduce geometric thinking while sparking creativity and underlining themes of teamwork and perseverance." --Publishers Weekly

"This charming picture book brings the tangram to life in an approachable and unconventional way . . . Chinese language, culture, and history are embedded within the story, and back matter gives readers insight into the design of the book while inspiring them to create tangram shapes of their own." --School Library Journal

"A gateway to hours, if not years, of mind-expanding play." --Kirkus Reviews

Author Bio

Christine Liu-Perkins is a writer and researcher who specializes in Chinese history and culture. Her book At Home in Her Tomb: Lady Dai and the Ancient Chinese Treasures of Mawangdui unearths one of Chinas top archaeological finds of the last century. She has a Ph.D in educational psychology. Born in Boston and raised near Kansas City, Christine now lives in Colorado. christineliuperkins.com Lynn Scurfield is a mixed media illustrator based in Toronto, Canada. She is the illustrator of several picture books including Flight: Notes from Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig, Two New Years, and Friends are Friends Forever. www.lynnscurfield.com Twitter: @lynndoodles