Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Cao Chong Weighs an Elephant by Songju Ma Daemicke and illustrated by Christina Wald from Arbordale Publishing [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781628559040 Paperback $9.95
ISBN: 9781628559033 Hardcover $17.95
My thoughts: This joyfully illustrated picture book transports young readers to the year 200 C.E. (or A.D.) into Ancient China and amongst royals as is indicated by crowns and clothing.

The occasion is the presentation of an elephant - the first elephant to ever be seen in their country. Excitement runs high and soon discussion of the huge animal's weight ensues. So they must devise a method to determine its weight.

Cao Chong is a child prodigy recognized in Chinese History and he has a plan. It stumps and amazes the others that this child can know how to accomplish the task.

Arbordale publishes books for children that are school age and their books are attractive and entertaining. However, the main feature, in my opinion, is the capability they have of providing materials at the back of the book that take the reader beyond the limits of the story and engages his or her mind with activities in ways that demonstrate the science or math behind the actual story and even presents new ideas for their perusal.

The back pages for Creative Minds in this book include information about ancient China and modern China even providing maps that show city locations and China's borders for reader comparison. The principal of buoyancy and displacement is presented in understandable and demonstrable methods in the Creative Minds activities.

I highly recommend this book as a fun, entertaining, and highly educational book. Click here to see the Teaching Activities on the Arbordale website.

About the book: How much does an elephant weigh? How do you know? How would you know if you didn’t have a modern scale? Six-year-old Cao Chong, the most famous child prodigy in Chinese history, faced just this problem! Chong watches as the prime minister’s most trusted and learned advisors debate different methods. The principle of buoyancy and a little bit of creative thinking help this boy come up with a solution.
GIVEAWAY
Begins January 2, 2018
Ends January 23 @ 12:01 a.m. EST
Open to USA addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Arbordale Publishing to facilitate this review of my own opinions which are freely given. Giveaway copy is provided and shipped directly to the winner by Arbordale Publishing.

16 comments:

  1. "How do you encourage your child to delve into ancient history and ancient cultures?" I feel certain they will pick it up by osmosis in a household that cares about these things.

    "How do you assist your child in understanding history and geography?" They will do it on their own through hard work and perseverance and their own natural smarts, with the assist of the occasional book from the library or bookstore.

    "(1) One other picture book you would like to have" "Sort it out," because it has a cute mousie!

    "(2) One picture book you would like reviewed here on Chat With Vera" "A Warm Winter Tail," because it has beautiful foxes!

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  2. (1) One other picture book you would like to have - The Lizard Lady
    (2) One picture book you would like reviewed here on Chat With Vera -
    After A While Crocodile: Alexas Diary

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  3. Thankfully my son is always SO interested in history and culture!! We love to explore books from other cultures and watch educational shows on them!! He is blown away by history! It just amazes him the things that have happened in this world. We love to look at maps and pictures for better understanding. Sometimes I really think that seeing helps him understand. We also love to go to our museum where he can touch and experience other cultures and history!!

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  4. I would LOVE to win this book for my son!

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  5. I would LOVE to have the Midnight Madness at the Zoo book since my kiddo and I adore the Zoo!! I would love for you to review Pieces of the Other World!

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  6. How do you encourage your child to delve into ancient history and ancient cultures? She loves to read so I just get books like that.

    How do you assist your child in understanding history and geography? We talk about the books because she reads to me.

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  7. We use books and hands on projects to study History. We use maps, globes, books and hands on projects to study geography

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  8. (1) One other picture book you would like to have - Otis the Owl
    (2) One picture book you would like reviewed here on Chat With Vera - Oliver's Otter Phase

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  9. This book looks great! Thanks for sharing at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com! Always a pleasure to have you!
    Tina

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  10. i try to teach about cultures and geography using food and festivals. and someties toys!

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  11. How do you encourage your child to delve into ancient history and ancient cultures? Right now I'm not very good at it, so I could use some great ideas!

    How do you assist your child in understanding history and geography? I try and explain concepts so that they understand it :)

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  12. This looks like a wonderful book! My boys and I read a lot of geography and history books together.

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  13. I would like a copy of Big Cat, Little Kitty & to see a review of Habitat Spy.

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  14. Reading books & looking at picture books together helps encourage understanding of history & geography.. So does visiting museums & historical sites. I especially like the hands on sites.

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  15. I like to include projects along with our history lessons to make the past "come alive" if you will. Eat the food they ate, what clothes did they wear. Draw pictures, watch videos, listen to the music they listened to, read their stories. It helps make connections with what we read about in our history lessons. Share your discoveries with your children, and listen to their discoveries.

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  16. We read, make use of websites and visit museums and such when we can.

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