Red Kite, Blue Kite by Ji-li Jiang and illustrated by Greg Ruth, is a story of a little boy, Tai Shan and his father, Baba and their love for flying kites. Jiang and Ruth tell the story of the boy's everyday life through beautiful illustrations as he yearns for his father's return.Text-to-Self: Ji-li Jiang's story of Tai Shan reminded me of the countless refugee stories I have been told by my parents and relatives. The experiences of the boy in the story were quite similar to the ones my family members had encountered while escaping the Vietnam War. They did not know how or when they would be reunited as they fled for freedom. My family is very near and dear to my heart that I could relate to the boy wanting his father to come home. Even as an adult now, I always wonder when my father will return home from his business trips and pray that nothing goes wrong.Text-to-Text: This book reminded me of a story called "Flying the Dragon" by Natalie Dias Lorenzi. Set after WWII, Loreniz wraps her story around kite fighting and two cousins. Hiroshi, a boy from Japan and Skye a hapa girl (half Japanese/half Caucasian) in Washington, D.C. are living through a family feud. In kite fighting, you have to know when to loosen the line to keep the kite afloat just as it seems like it’s going to fall out of the sky. Skye and Hiroshi’s grandfather knows that balance, in life and in kite fighting. By moving to D.C. for cancer treatments, the grandfather has a chance to repair his relationship with Skye’s dad, whose marriage to a non-Japanese woman caused the family feud. Skye too must learn to “loosen the line.” She’s caught between having to help her cousin navigate his way through a new school, learning both English and American customs, while also resenting him. Still, she cherishes spending time with Grandpa and learning about kite fighting which ultimately reunites the family. Although each story incorporates the Asian heritage differently, both characters reunite with their families through the art of kites.Text-to-World: Greg Ruth's illustrations of Tai Shen's life during the Cultural Revolution in China captures a kaleidoscope of emotions that children may relate to in their own lives. For children who are waiting to be reunited with their families, this book helps remind them that they are not alone and other children have experienced it too. I think this story would be a great read to incorporate into any curriculum about cultures, history, and family. This story is set in China during the Chinese Revolution from 1966 to 1977. Tai Shan and his father, Baba, love to stand on the roof of their home and fly kites because it makes them feel free. They are alone since Tai Shan's mother died after he was born. One day some men in red armbands come to their town. They shut down schools and destroy some of the town. They also take a lot of the men to labor camps including Tai Shan's father. Tai Shan has to go live with a woman named Granny Wang near the labor camp. Tai Shan misses his father very much and they come up with a plan for Tai Shan to fly his red kite in the morning and Baba will fly his at night so they can "see each other every day". Soon his father is sent away to different camp because of his ideas and although he knows his father won't be able to see his kite, he continues to fly it every day until his father is finally free.This story was inspired by the author's friends father who survived the Revolution. I was very moved by this story. I think the bond between the father and son are amazing and what they do to stay connected through this terrible time. The affection is clearly shown in their facial expressions and actions. The illustrations are watercolor and pencil and very detailed. The stark contrast of the red and blue kite flying over the darker colors of the land is uplifting and makes you feel like they are free.This would be a great story to read before starting research on China. Students can compare and contrast what they find out about China during that time period and how authentic the book is. Student could also write about how they feel when a loved one has maybe gone away on a trip and what they do to stay connected.
What do You think about Red Kite, Blue Kite (2013)?
lovely watercolor pictures. story is sweet. short historical note at the end.
—Mbrons7
I think this would pair perfectly with Snow Falling in the Spring.
—xshannonxleihx
This book was a very beautiful and touching story. Loved it.
—almanstacy
So sad and sweet and sad and sweet again. Really liked it!
—kaity
Gorgeous. So, so gorgeous. Great story for older kids.
—jenn
