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But god forbid the characters be non-white, then the drawings should not be child-like carictures but should've been exact, representatives portraits (a mindset that belittles other races by the way by saying that they are not as strong as us so we can't draw them in the same exagerated style we would draw us). I loved this book when I was a kid. And I read it to my daughter. If it had been the Midwest the child would've had a piece hay sticking out of his mouth most likely. I really think people need to take a deep breath and relax and if this book doesn't interest them then move on. I've read some reviews that it is racist and gives a horrible message but to me it was just a story about a duck.
I doubt I would wack my ducks across the back with a stick even though I loved that book. My mom used to read it to me because she loved it when she was a kid. Also, I'm sorry it offends people, but that is how it was for fishing folk on the Yangkzee River in those days with the birds with bands around their necks and ducks getting slapped across the back once in awhile. I could go on and on about my own dissection of people's worst fears of not being politically correct enough for this world, but that would take too long and require far too many links to references on art and culture in the 1930's. In short, if the story had taken place in the American South for example, the child would've been plump and pure white with bright red cheeks and looked like an exaggeration of a stereotypical character. And I did not grow up with this horrible sense of being trapped by a communist, abusive regime just because I had this book read to me.
It really does not need to be so controversial.
there is a reason this book is a classic. She has requested the book daily. wonderfully written. my active four year old was immediately drawn away from her play and into the story about Ping. as we relive the pages of the story and even reinact Ping's adventures. A must for any home library.
Please. But the story never really clarifies that, so as an ADULT I need to infer and explain to my children (mainly because we're using this story for our unit of study).That being said, there are other levels to this book beyond plot. My kids were captivated by the story, although my youngest (6yo) doesn't like Ping getting spanked at the end of the story. All that glitters is not good, ya know. Ping is our launching pad, and we're using more current books to learn about Chinese culture/inventions/geography, ducks, etc. We're also going to use it to discuss cruelty to animals (I'm an advocate for animal rights and volunteer at an animal shelter). I'm not sure what all the hooha is over this book - seriously, if you're having nightmares about this book in your late 20's, you have more issues going on than a children's book that was read to you 15+ years ago. What an opportunity for discussion with your children this presents.
The list is endless. The duck follows his desire to eat rice cake crumbs, and ends up getting caught by a family that wants to cook him up for dinner. And what about the boy who releases Ping. I can't imagine why anyone would think this doesn't warrant some sort of discipline. Go get help.I'm using The Story of Ping for a 1 week homeschooling unit where we're studying ducks, water, and China. You can get yourself into a lot of trouble without the diligent use of discernment.certainly something that children need to be taught.
I, however, think there *should* be consequences for a duck (or child) who runs off, endangers his life, and worries his family. I do have to agree that I don't like the fact that the boat owner spanks the last duck on board; it doesn't clarify why this is necessary, although as an ADULT reader I'm wondering if it's because the last duck is dawdling and not paying attention, and the boat owner knows that if the duck is late and gets left behind they're endangering themselves, so really the spank is a good deterrent to get back to the boat. Without a thoughtful approach to the many situations we're faced in life, a person can get into a lot of trouble and be lead down a path they didn't intend to go, be it debt, drugs, theft, unprotected sex, gangs, lying, alcohol, pornography, etc. Does that present a discussion of "doing the right thing isn't always the easy thing."I think this book has more positives than negatives.
This was a cute story I enjoyed reading in elementary school. I hope my children will enjoy it as well when I share it with them.
I remember this story being read to me as a child, and my daughters loved it as well. The lessons are classic and important for young children. This version is identical to the books I recall; I bought this copy as a baby shower gift - it was on my younger daughter's Baby Registry.
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