Nu Dang and His Kite
Nu Dang and His Kite
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Written and illustrated by Jacqueline Ayer
A CBC “Hot Off The Press” Selection of August 2017
An enchanting story about Nu Dang, who flies his kite and lives in Thailand on the banks of a muddy river. More than anything, Nu Dang loves to fly his kite, but one windy day the string slips and his kite disappears. The story follows Nu Dang as he searches for his kite. In his small boat he paddles down the long brown river asking the sweet-cakes vendor, the cloth merchant, the butcher and others if they've seen his kite, but no one has. At last he sadly makes his way home, where a joyous surprise awaits him.
Back in print for the first time since 1959, this wonderful book was written and illustrated by Jacqueline Ayer while living and working in Thailand.
ISBN: 978-1-59270-231-2
10" (W) x 7.75" (H) • 40 pages • HCJ
AWARDS AND REVIEWS
A CBC “Hot Off The Press” Selection of August 2017
"Ayer’s lovely, lyrical prose spills from her beautifully illustrated pages to the tell the transportive story of a little boy—'the happiest boy in the world'—and his beloved kite, a story of loss, hope, and homecoming." ―Maria Popova, Brain Pickings
"The textile and graphic art background of the author-illustrator shine through in the black-and-white vintage-style drawings with bright color accents that capture the landscapes, bustling life, and lush flora and fauna of Nu Dang’s world. With its simple story and culturally enriching illustrations, this title is a recommended purchase for any library. Lovely for one-on-one reading and small group sharing." —Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, School Library Journal
"Nu Dang is a little boy in Siam who loves to fly his kite. But on one particularly windy day the string slips and his kite disappears. Charmingly written and elegantly illustrated by Jacqueline Ayer, ‘Nu Dang and His Kite’ is an engaging and entertainingly original picture book story that follows Nu Dang as he searches for his kite." —The Midwest Book Review
”[Jacqueline Ayer’s] illustrations have a modern color palette, and her story of a young boy searching for his runaway kite is a romp through Thailand’s vibrant river market. … This is a happy and gentle adventure fro anyone who ever flew a kite.” —Pragmatic Mom
"How Nu Dang's kite comes home makes up the core of this intense story which, illustrated in the beautifully stylized colored pictures of the author, a resident of Thailand, forms a tapestry of the elaborate fabric of Siamese river life." —Kirkus Reviews (1959)
On Jacqueline Ayer:
"I regress with joy to the delicately drawn world of Jacqueline Ayer's Siam" —Sylvia Plath on A Wish for Little Sister for The New Statesman (1961)
“Jackie grew up believing that she could accomplish anything. She was graceful, charming, smart, drew beautifully and had an innate sense of style and fashion. ... What is always difficult to understand is the degree to which she changed every culture she was embedded in, from editorial pages to clothing design to fabrics and children’s books. Her parents, the neighborhood, her schooling and the remarkable century we shared all contributed to her extraordinary life.” —Milton Glaser
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