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Summary: Everyone needs a Ping
Review: A great little tale about a duckling, who stays out overnight to avoid getting the "swat" conferred upon the last duck up the gangway. Illustrations are not PC.Ping and his extended family live on a boat on the river. They go out each day, and come back, and the last duck gets a swat on the back, so don't be late -- don't be last. Ping, seeing that he will be last and hence swatted, stays out overnight. He's caught by a family that wants a duck dinner, but the young boy of the family lets him go. The next day, Ping happily takes the swat as he runs up the gangway to his own boat. He'll take that swat 'cause there's no place like home. I think children understand why Ping stays out all night, to avoid that swat, and they also understand why he chooses to take that swat the next day, to be back home. There is a horrible point when Ping is going to be dinner, and is trapped in a basket, but after a couple of reads, that page spread is not so scary. This is a classic tale. I remember it from my childhood and my daughter loves this as a bedtime story.
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Summary: Has been a favorite of mine for years!
Review: Although not offically a classic, this book should be. I have dozens of happy memoires of my mother reading this story to me over and over and over and over again. I would recomend to any child.
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Summary: Ping: A Childhood Icon of Terror and Suspense
Review: Am I the only child in America who was terrified by The Story About Ping? From the Wise Eyed Boat, whose stern and piercing gaze seemed darkly malevolent, to the crowded Yangtze, the illustrations spoke of an incomprehensible and hostile world. Punishment was certain; even if every duck behaved perfectly, someone was certain to get spanked. And the building tension as the sun moved closer and closer to the horizon still has the power to raise a chill. I understand that my reaction to the book is extreme, but if your child is prone to guilt, read The Runaway Bunny instead!
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Summary: Traumatized By the Duck
Review: As a child I loved picture books, Curious George, Mike Mulligan, even Winnie-the-Pooh which didn't have enough pictures. But how I dreaded the nights my parents would pull out Ping! It was kind of interesting at first, Chinese people, fishing on exotic looking boats, even the lanterns. But the ending with Ping running to escape a lashing with a switch... It still repulses me in my thirties. Somehow the whole story seemed violent and cruel. Very cruel. Give your kid something more pleasant to read.
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Summary: Great lessons and a great teaching tool
Review: As a little girl I loved this book because Ping was the combination of all small children. Part curiousity seeker and yet lonesome when away from the home and security of what he knew best. This is what is so special about the book. That and the fact it is gender neutral and appeals to boys as well as girls. I admit I didn't like the rod the fisherman used to swat the birds with, but I loved the drawings and the flow of the story that was both soothing as well as testing. The story line allows a childs imagination to be tested. The "What would I do if I were Ping" questions are on every page. Children will find this a useful book for learning about how actions have reactions, that while we may have a curiousity about what is around each new corner, that we also need to ask ourselves how we would handle a situation should it not go as planned. Parents and caregivers can easily use the story book to both ask serious questions of a child, like "What would you do if you got lost and had to spend the night alone?" "How do you think Ping felt when he saw the boat and the other ducks the next day. We know he was excited, but what must his insided felt like? Did he feel like crying?
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Summary: A Must Read for Every Child
Review: Captain Kangaroo introduced me to this wonderful, childhood story. He did it via an illustrated verson, which made the story come even more alive. I have never forgetten this story, almost 30 years later. Ping is a likeable fellow, gets into trouble, like any child would do, but in the end, learns a lesson. Its also exciting to read about another country as the story takes place in China. This book should be read by every child. Excellent Book!!!
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Summary: It's About The Duck...Stupid!
Review: Get a life guys! It's a simple story with a warm ending. Tells your kids that even if they venture out into the world and make some bad choices or dumb mistakes, a loving family still welcomes them back with love and affection (have you looked at the last picture?). Your kids don't read more into it so why should you? This is my one of my daughter's favorite books. She's 23 now and will be reading it to her kids. It's one of those books that, in the end, makes a little child feel warm and safe...the way they should feel.
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Summary: A following on the magical duck
Review: I agree with the review of the reader from El Segundo. While the book is intense, it does a great job of following a packet's job as it travels though the system. I recommended this book to everybody. My only complaint is that this book is too short, and not in depth enough. Nonetheless, this is a recommended book for anyone that wants to learn something how a packet travel from place to place.
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Summary: A wonderful, timeless story of family, adventure and home
Review: I can remember Captain Kangaroo reading this book on his TV show and that was probably 30 years ago. A very delightful book which allows children to understand responsiblity, adventure, family and home. The story is simple and uncluttered, a small duck who decides to avoid the punishment due the last duck to board the boat each night - a whack on the back, by hiding and not boarding with the rest of the ducks. Ping has his adventure and returns to the boat and his family, wiser yet innocent. Great story to share with your children.
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Summary: Love It
Review: I grew up on Ping and I love it still. I'm 21 now and buying it for every friend with a kid. Its clean, its fun, and its just great.
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