Finger Strings: A Book of Cat's Cradles and String Figures

The cat's cradle bug hit our school and my (just) 11 year old wanted to learn more.I bought this one based on reviews of being too difficult for younger children, with the Klutz version ideal for younger children. We hoped this would be detailed and thorough, and it is perfect.The Cat's Cradle part is a small section really and I had no idea there were more totally amazing things that could be achieved with string.My daughter is now telling us stories with the string!The string can be made into a scissor shape, a witches broom, a flapping fish, a star, a butterfly, a birthday cake with candles which blow out and other totally amazing configurations.She stands in my bedroom doorway at night and just starts a story while making the (very good) shapes with the string and it is very entertaining.We are now far beyond simple cat's cradle. I am totally impressed.Not for younger children though. My 8 year old can't follow the directions. My 11 year old easily can.

kids enjoyed learning these

This is a great book and excellent value for money.There are so many ideas here, it is keeping my daughter (and myself) occupied for hours.It takes a little while to get used to the instructions, and I would recommend 8+ as appropriate age group.It comes with 2 strings which are good quality and are still going strong now (we have had it about 6 months)

Too difficult, takes the fun out of cats cradle

A delight to introduce my 7-year-old granddaughter to a skill from my own chlldhood, and a welcomediversion from so much technology that occupies too much of children's time these days.

Arrived without strings

i thought this was a really good string book with lots of different string tricks you can learn from figures to knot figures and vanishing knotsthere are lots of different ones you can do and the instructions are easy with coloured arrows saying from what finger to where.i first brought the 'cats cradle' klutz book which was a simple string book with only 5 string figures to do but was a good beginners book which got me interested in strings and the string figure book is my second which has advanced my string knowledgei would recommend this a really good book

I have many string figure books, but this one is special.First, the illustrations. The use of the colour is so good.There are green arrows to show the movement of the strings,and other green arrows that change to red to mean that a new string has been picked by a finger.The final illustrations are multicoloured.Secondly, the choice of the figures:even the simple figures will interest everybody. The author knows how to introduce a story (flag and girl) or a little magic (necklace link) into the making of the string game.There are many stars, not only made with strings (five-pointed stars) but also with elastic band (star in a star) and stars for two or five persons (big star)!The figures that going so well with little stories (the sealskin house) ) or rhymes (nibble fish) (by Jaimen McMillan and Milly Reynolds).All the people loves 3D figures and Michael Taylor puts also some.The Eiffel Tower on four feet is fantastic and so simple.I have kids and I know that they are always impressed by themoving figures. The growing sunflower that changes into two men(one with a big belly!) is the best.You have as well what I call special figures:the ringing bell and the Olympic flag.Thirdly, the chapters: partner games (tortoise shell), tricks (thumb jump), string things (wrist watch), children inventions (trampoline), the very simple figures (dewdrops) include many figures old and newthat will enchant you.Last but not least, the last chapter Stringing stories together.Two long stories (The dragon, the Princess and Jack/Two brothers find treasure), a gift that will delight you.Don't forget to read ideas for making stories and as wellthe sources of the figures.The most important feature of this book is the binding.The spiral binding allows the book to lay flat when it is open, and it is encased with a wrap-around hard cover. Inside you will find two strings.