Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself

Front Cover:

Summary:

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself explores the incredible ingenuity and history of ancient China with 25 hands-on projects for readers ages 9 and up. Great Ancient China Projects covers topics from porcelain pottery, paper, gunpowder, and dynasties, to martial arts, medicinal healers, jade carvers, and terracotta warriors. With step-by-step activities using common household products, kids will learn how to construct a house with proper feng shui and create a simple Chinese hanging compass, along with many more inspiring and educational projects. Historical facts and anecdotes, biographies, and fascinating trivia support the fun projects and teach kids about this innovative society and its continued influence on modern culture.

Review:

-Children's Indie Next List Book Pick, Fall 2008
"Vocabulary, timelines, and sidebars are included in a fun, hands-on approach to educating young readers about ancient China. Cook egg noodles, make an instrument, create a kite, learn feng shui ...what a fun book! Use it on weekends, holidays, and vacation to keep kids busy and having fun."

"Vocabulary, timelines, and sidebars are included in a fun, hands-on approach to educating young readers about ancient China. ...what a fun book! Use it on weekends, holidays, and vacation to keep kids busy and having fun."-American Bookseller's Association "Bookselling This Week" 8/11/08

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself is candy for the
eyes and the brain. - The Gazette.net July 16, 2008

For kids, learning about ancient China has always been a total snooze. . . until now! . -Willamette Week Portland, OR, August 6, 2008

Endorsement:

"An engrossing read for children and young people. The integrated hands-on projects offer the young reader the chance to experience the excitement of technical and scientific discovery."—David Ehrlich, Professor of Film and Television Studies, Dartmouth College

"Children of all ages will gain a new appreciation for the complex ideas and inventions of China’s history across 5,000 years." —Joan Kvitka, Education Director, Portland Classical Chinese Garden

"Great Ancient China Projects is a useful book for educators, covering ancient Chinese culture in an easily understandable, highly engaging manner. It’s an essential and long overdue tool for all classroom teachers." —Allan Cho, Editor-in-Chief, Perspectives Newspaper

"Great Ancient China Projects promises to interest kids of all ages in the history of ancient China and inspire them to travel beyond their own borders. Fun tidbits add humor and insight to the topics covered."—Ray Bartlett, travel writer

Resources:

Books

Baldwin, Robert F. Daily Life in Ancient and Modern Beijing. Runestone Press, 1999.
Dutemple, Lesley A. The Great Wall of China, Lerner Publications Company, 2003.
Greenberger, Robert. The Technology of Ancient China. Rosen Publishing Group, 2006.
Harvey, Miles. Look What Came From China. Franklin Watts, 1998.
Roberts, J.A.G. A Concise History of China. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1999.
Shaughnessy, Edward J. China: Empire and Civilization. Oxford University Press, 2000.
Temple, Robert. The Genius of China: 3,000 Years of Science, Discovery and Invention. London: Prion Books Limited, 1998.
Williams, Suzanne. Made in China: Ideas and Inventions from Ancient China. Berkeley: Pacific View Press, 1996.

Websites

www.taichiacademy.com/formsandmovements.htm
www.skratch-pad.com/kites/make.html
www.lldkids.com/kids/projects/compass.html
www.tylermuseum.org/press_Treasures.htm
www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/101/Homemade_Egg_Noodles9978.shtml
news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/10/1012_051012_chinese_noodles_2.html
www.bellaonline.com/articles/art29812.asp
wildlifeart.org/Foundry/index2.html
www.diynetwork.com/diy/ca_crafts_projects/article/0,2041,DIY_13721_22734...
www.dsokids.com/2001/dso.asp?PageID=101

About the Author:

Lance Kramer is a journalist and former ESL teacher. He has been fascinated with Ancient China since the very first time he saw photos of the Great Wall as a young child. This love of history led him to study Asian and Middle Eastern history at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. Lance is passionate about finding new and creative ways to share history with kids and keep the stories of other cultures engaging, alive, exciting and fun. Lance lives in Portland, Oregon.
www.LanceKramer.com

About the Illustrator:

Growing up outside Washington D.C., Steven Weinberg spent a lot of his childhood drawing. He was educated at Colby College, where studied government and painted. After graduating he ventured from China to West Africa, and Mali, teaching English and painting. He now resides in San Francisco. www.steven-weinberg.com

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