The Story about Ping

THE STORY ABOUT PING by Marjorie Flack and Kurt Wiese is a 32-page book, with an illustration on every page. The illustations have black ink outlines of the characters and objects, which are filled in with colored pastel chalk. The texture of the drawing paper can be seen, by way of the near-microscopic dots. The textures of the chalk marks, the streaks and dots, are a treat to the eye. The book is a classic, having been first published in 1933. The first picture shows a line of ducks walking off a wooden boat, across a board, to a meadow. Ping is in the middle of the line. The next picture shows the same ducks climbing back into the boat at sunset. The next picture shows Ping's choice not to return the boat, because he was a little late in returning and was afraid of getting a spank from the master of the boat. The last duck on board always got a spank. The next 20 or so pictures show the consequences of Ping's decision to stay away. Being alone at night. Being lost on the river amidst a group of unfamiliar wooden boats, and not knowing which boat was his. Being captured by a boy. Being imprisoned in a basket on a boat. Being released from the basket by the boy. Spotting his familiar family of ducks from a distance, and swimming back to his boat. Getting a spank. The narrative begins like this: "Once upon a time there was a beautifil young duck named Ping. Ping lived with his mother and his father and two sisters and three brothers and eleven aunts and seven uncles and forty-two cousins. Their home was a boat with two wise eyes on the Yangtze River." These opening words remind me of the opening words of another classic, where most of the story takes place on the water: "Call me Ishmael. Some years ago - never mind how long precisely - having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen, and regulating the circulation." Both books are classics. But THE STORY OF PING is a classic suitable especially for little kids. My list of "must own" children's books include: THE STORY ABOUT PING by Marjorie Flack, THE LITTLE HOUSE by Virginia Lee Burton, CAPS FOR SALE by Esphyr Slobodkina, the books illustrated by Tibor Gergley, and of course RICHARD SCARRY'S BEST STORYBOOK EVER! by Richard Scarry. Oh, to be the parent of a 2-year old once again!!!

Great book and artwork. Kids love it. Arrived well packaged in good condition. As pictured and described. Well pleased customer .

Book in great condition. My adult autistic son was thrilled when I gave it to him because his 38-year-old hard-back is coming apart.

Great story - knew it from childhood. Gave it as a gift.

***Book arrived damaged! Please be mindful of packaging books, the book is wet and now it wrinkles and rips. I will try to exchange but it’s a hassle.** The book is great though, a classic, all kids should read! We are reading it using Five In a Row curriculum.

One of my favorite books as a child it was an excellent reprint. The pictures were beautiful and hope the person I bought it for his child. Will enjoy it as much as I did.

I bought this book for my 4-year-old grandson for two reasons. The first is that his Daddy (my son) loved this book as a child. The second reason is that it is easy to have a discussion about behavior and consequences after reading this book. Ping, the little duck gets separated from his family which he thinks is no big deal; however, he is captured by people on another boat and placed under a basket. He hears that he will become their dinner and it is only because of the bravery of a little boy on the boat that Ping escapes back into the Yangtze River. He is rejoined with his family, but not before he gets a "spank" from a rod from the owner of the boat where his entire family lives. We do not spank our grandson but use "time-out" when discipline is needed. It is easy to explain that the duck received a "spank" like our grandson gets a time-out. Our grandson has responded positively to this story. We started taking our grandson to the library at 2 years old to introduce him to reading. Once we read "The Story of Ping", he would ask for it again and again. So many times this library book was already checked out. Now he will be ever to look at the pages and hear the story read at home with his only copy.

Ping is a classic tale of a duck who isn't satisfied with his life. He thinks if he goes out on his own he will have a better life without his family. He has an adventure yet every where he turns there is danger and no one who cares about him. This book has a great lesson of appreciate what you have. And be more tolerating of your families flaws, they are the ones who cares. I got this book for me. I like children's books. I regretted when I was little giving my hard book copy away because my sister told me to. This is a soft cover reprint but I liked revisiting this story and sharing it with my friends.

Interesting due its cultural heritage

This truly is one of the best kid's books ever. Even though it's about eighty years old, the story is timeless. My parents loved it, I love it and my children love it. This is actually our second copy. Our first one is very old and getting fragile so I bought a new one to read. When I started reading it to my children, I was surprised how vividly I remembered the story and the pictures from my childhood.

Un cuento muy bonito. Historia encantadora, con esas repeticiones que crean un ritmo que encanta a los niños. Ilustraciones sencillas que acompañan perfectamente. Tapa blanda.

I read this as a child and now I have my students read it. There's nothing terribly profound in it, but it paints a very charming picture of an interesting world. It is also a good way to help children understand why obedience is important. I'm happy I can still have access to it and I'm happy I can share it with others.

The charming story is just right for kids of 3 years and over, I was given the book as a child 78 years ago and loved reading it again and again - still have the original copy. Gave a copy to my 3 year old granddaughter, who loves it.