String Games

Book Description

New in Paper
"A collection of easy-to-learn string figures and games. Step-by-step directions accompany the clear photographs of hands manipulating strings of different colors."--School Library Journal

Everyone loves Cat's Cradle, but that's only one of many string games--and these come from a variety of cultures and countries around the world. Some are great for a single child, others are fun for a group, and all are photographed in close-ups that capture the hands in motion. Get started with simple figures like "Jacob's Ladder" and move on to "A Fishing Net" from Sierra Leone or a "Butterfly" from the Navajo. Each game includes information on the level and the loop length you'll need.

Customer Reviews:

A little complicated, but fun!.......2007-09-08

I bought the String Games book for my 12-year old daughter for Christmas last year and she loved it. Some of the techniques were a bit complicated, but she figured out most of them after a few months. She played with the strings so much that one of them popped (reason for the 4 stars).

String Games.......2007-01-25

A great book and activity for kids who need something other than TV and movies. The history of string games makes youngsters understand a bit what it was like to play creatively before society decided to overstimulate them.

String games a little trickier than it seems.......2007-01-10

I bought this for my 7 year old. When I looked through the book, it looked a little difficult for me and I won't tell you my age... My 7 year old looked at it once and that was enough for him.. maybe when he gets older..

Enjoy yourself!.......2003-10-01

Most of this book is for advanced but you can find also
beginning figures (Scissors, Jacob's ladder, Walking Sticks)

Then you will find figures a little less easy (Chest ornament, Fishing net and lightning).

Next you will try figures a little more difficult
(Hina's skipping rope, Teniako's bridge, Ten Men and Crayfish).

I'm very found of series. In the book there are three :
Mr Umake, Crabs and Mt. Fuji.

With a good friend, you will make the figures for two
(a Mountain, Looking Glass and Sting Ray).

Tricks are things i love because they amaze my children.
My youger child (6) did the "Buttonhole trick" to his friend.
Trick are easy and you feel like a magician!
The other tricks are Caroline Island catch, Cutting off the fingers 1 and Cutting off the fingers 2.

But i think people prefer, first, tri-dimensional string figures
(Two mountains and a stream, King'trone and Howler monkey'mouth).
When you see a "Butterfly" like a real, it's really magic.

An excellent book with photos to each step.

You have also the sources of the figures, if you want learn more
about string figures.

In the book you will find three good strings (not same longer).
An excellent idea.

Average customer rating:

From the Stringman

excellent and detailed

The mother of all string figure books!

LA BIBLE DU JEU DE FICELLE

I was fascinated by this book when I was about 13 years old.

String Figures and How to Make Them: A Study of Cat's Cradle in Many Lands
Caroline F. Jayne
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Fascinating String Figures (Master String Figures)

String Games from Around the World (Klutz)

Fun with String (Master String Figures)

String Games

Fun with String Figures

ASIN: 048620152X

Book Description

Fullest, clearest instruction on string figures from wide variety of cultures around the world: Eskimo, Navajo, Lapp, Europe, many others. Create such imaginative figures as a cat's cradle, a moving spear, a bolt of lightning, pointed stars and much more. 950 illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

From the Stringman.......2007-02-07

Considered by many String Figure people to be the "Bible" in this field. It has easy to follow instructions using what has become standard nomenclature. This book is referenced in recent writings probably more than any other. Anyone with interest in String Figures should have this book in their collection.

excellent and detailed.......2003-11-20

Once you master the language of manipulating the string--with a little patience-- you'll find the explanations easy to follow. The selection of string figures was wonderful. A strong collection --a legacy that has travelled throughout the world. Pass it along to your children.

The mother of all string figure books!.......2000-12-08

Ms. Jayne was an interesting woman in her day. She traveled about the world, gathering anthropological research as she documented string figures worldwide. This volume is the result of her work, all the more remarkable because she did this around the turn of the century.

Many figures are included here with instructions in the creation of them, as well as anecdotal information based on her interviews with the people who taught them to her. All of the classics of string figures are included here, as well as more obscure ones she gathered along the way. This is a must for serious students of string figures, not only for the wealth of information and instruction, but also for its historical value.

LA BIBLE DU JEU DE FICELLE.......1999-08-16

Il est très complet et illustré. Toute personne qui s'intéresse aux jeux de ficelle progressera beaucoup avec lui. Ce n'est pas un livre pour débutant.

I was fascinated by this book when I was about 13 years old........1998-11-30

This book is a compendium of string figures with detailed instructions on how to make them and many illustrations. It is based largely on anthropological studies of the East Indies and that part of the world, although there are sections from Native American tribes and a few figures from Europe. My parents had a copy of this book when I was growing up and I was fascinated by it from ages 11 to about 15. I recommend it highly for anybody whose interests run in this direction.

Fascinating String Figures (Master String Figures)

Average customer rating:

Perfect book to know wonderful world of string games ( not only for beginners)
A reasonably good book
Getting started with String games and designs
A wonderful assortment of unusual string figures
A WONDERFUL BOOK

Fascinating String Figures (Master String Figures)
International String Figure Association
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486404005

Book Description

Clearly detailed diagrams and simple instructions for making 23 delightfully different string figures, including a turtle, an elegantly symmetrical cobweb, a miniaturized hammock, polar bear, little girl with pigtails, graceful swan, seven diamonds all in a row, and 16 other intriguing projects.

Customer Reviews:

Perfect book to know wonderful world of string games ( not only for beginners).......2007-01-09

This is really wonderful book. This is my second acquaintance with string figures. First meeting with string figures was about 10 years ago (i accidentally found two simple figures in one science magazine), and now i decided to know more about string games. Together with my 8 year old son we tried to learn more string figures, and we succeeded with it so easy. This book is perfect not only for beginners, but for advanced users too. Figures are explained clearly, and as simple as possible to do it with so complex thing as string figures.

A reasonably good book.......2004-07-16

This book has a nice variety of figures in a good range of difficulties. The illustrations are generally quite clear. The written directions, while acceptable, are not as clear as in some other string figure books I've used. My major problem with the book is that the authors did not see fit to include written directions for some of the later figures, and they needed it. The pictures are clear when backing up the words, but cannot stand alone nearly as well. Aside from this, I liked the book.

Getting started with String games and designs.......2001-06-13

This book has unique designs to create and explains each movemnt step by step. The designs are creative and will keep anyone entertained for long periods of time as they try to master these string games. The only problem I found was that the various designs required different lengths of string. I ended up making my own string lengths and they work out just fine.

A wonderful assortment of unusual string figures.......2000-10-18

This book, a compilation of string figures previously published in the String Figure magazine, presents the string figure enthusiast with many figures that have generally not been in other more popular publications. The directions are very clear, and information on the source as well as interesting anecdotes are included for many. The reader will have their fingers in knots of many designs at a bargain price. Highly recommended!

A WONDERFUL BOOK.......2000-05-13

This book have 23 STRING FIGURES. You won't find here what you know already. This book is a compilation of six String Figure Magazine issues. There are three string figures invented : "Wheelbarrow" by Carey C.K. Smith (New Zelande); "Spectacles for your nose" by Udo Engelhardt (Germany); "Andromeda Galaxy" by Felix Paturi (Germany). The others figures are: Night, Twinkling star, Seven Diamonds, Polar Bear, Fox and Whale, Turtle (a modern figure), Baby being born, Cobweb, Catching a Cockroach (a trick), Hammock, Two eyes, Little girl with pigtails, Sandsnipe, Sun, Toad and a man, Swan, dog with large ears, Erupting volcano, Sewing machine and Two islands joined by a log. There are over 500 drawings. These strings figures are some easy, some difficult. All are very interesting and the explanations are excellents.

String Games from Around the World (Klutz)

Average customer rating:

Fun String Figures
Great little book
Great pictures, fun string figures--a good sequel
Cat's Cradle
A very good book

String Games from Around the World (Klutz)
Anne Akers Johnson
Manufacturer: Klutz
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

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Product Features:

String Games from Around the World, books, klutz, cats cradle, strings, activities

ASIN: 1570540403

Product Description

by Anne Akers Johnson National Parenting Publications Award After the unprecedented success of Cat's Cradle , Klutz was snowed under with requests for more string figures. In response, they are proud to present String Games from Around the World , a collection of seven brand-new (yet ages old) string games, introduced by seven real-live kids from seven incredibly diverse cultures. Illustrated with gorgeous full-color photographs, watercolor paintings and instructional art, String Games comes complete with the tie-dyed string loop, natch.

Customer Reviews:

Fun String Figures.......2007-06-10

This book in right in line with the Klutz tradition. Makes things simple and fun. It is clear and gives you good directions and a little background on each figure. They are pretty simple figures. I think it is relatively expensive if you compute the price per figure. The binding is particularly durable and the pages are heavy duty. The type of binding lets the pages lie flat which is very nice when your fingers are entwined in a figure. Other books in my collection have the regular glue binding and keeping them open can be a challenge.

Great little book.......2004-10-28

My daughter loves this along with the first one that was published. Hours of fun!

Great pictures, fun string figures--a good sequel.......2000-09-19

This book is a sequel to Johnson's "Cat's Cradle", which contained five string figures. This book has seven more, from around the world--Paraguay, Australia, Ghana, the U.S. (a Navajo string figure), New Guinea, Alaska, and Ireland. Each is accompanied by photographs of the children who taught Johnson the figures, and good detailed diagrams of how to make the figures.

The presentation is more spectacular than in "Cat's Cradle", but when you get down to it the figures are what counts, and these are no more fun than the first book. In fact, they're a little more difficult to learn. We bought this for our five year old daughter, who'd enjoyed the first book (despite one of the patterns being too difficult for her); she found this one much less interesting. I think an older child would like the extra details about the children in the different countries, however.

I'd recommend that you buy "Cat's Cradle" first. If you or the child you buy it for enjoys it, this is a good follow up gift, but it doesn't have anything as easy to learn and fun as Cup and Saucer or Witch's Broom, from the first book.

Cat's Cradle.......2000-09-03

I think the book had good instructions and it helped me understand how to make 4 or 5 new string figures. It was easy to read, and the pictures were very good. I would recommend this book for beginners who are learning to make string figures.

A very good book.......2000-01-03

This book is an excellent string game book. It has easy to read instructions and wonderful pictures. The flying bird, one of the games, the bird flies from hand to hand! With the mosquito, you can smack it between you hands and it disapears! An excellent book, I would recommend it to everyon who it interesting in string games.

Average customer rating:

A fun book to read while it teaches you string art
An antidote to tv spin-off books!

Lost! A Story in String
Paul Fleischman
Manufacturer: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Rikki Tikki Tavi: .

ASIN: 0805055835

Book Description

A Newbery-winning author and a brilliant new artist create a story that young readers will read and perform for years to come.

Watch and listen as a grandmother recounts a tale of a resourceful farm girl lost in a blizzard, searching for her dog. As she describes that young girl's hazardous journey, a sequence of string figures takes shape in her hands, illustrating each step along the way. Striking scratchboard illustrations bring the grandmother's story to life, while clear instructions and careful diagrams at the end of the book allow you to recreate the tale, and to hold string figure performances of your own. Paul Fleischman's own intergenerational string troupe, String Quartet, has made Lost! a regular part of its repertoire, and you can too.

Customer Reviews:

A fun book to read while it teaches you string art.......2003-03-05

I think that the book "Lost! A Story in String" was a wonderful book because they story was kind of told by a piece of string. It starts out while kids are watching tv and the power goes out. They say they'll die unless they have something to do. So their grandma tells them a story about a girl with a piece of string. The best part about this book is on each page it shows you string art. Then in the back of the book it tells you how to do it yourself. I think that anyone who likes string art should definitely read this book.

An antidote to tv spin-off books!.......2000-07-26

In this story of a little girl who complains when the power goes off, her grandmother shares her own "pictures" by telling her a story with string. Thus does the grandmother keep alive an ancient tradtion of storytelling with string.

Book Description

Over 150 tricks, escapes, dissolving loops; 3- and 4-strand braiding; string figures from around the world. 140 illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful book for old and young.......2007-06-16

I have just started getting involved with braiding and knots, and this book was wonderful, so many and idea's. Easy to follow instruction. Even magic tricks. I have even entertained some young children with some of the magic tricks.

DECEVANT!.......1999-08-16

Je l'ai acheté pour les jeux de ficelle. Il consacre deux chapitres aux jeux de ficelle Pas si intéressant, il a un air de déja vu.

I love this book!.......1998-09-05

I first saw this book in the public library. The book was so old and well used I was afraid it was out of print. I'm so glad to have found it here. It is such a great book, it's the kind you want to keep on hand. I didn't want to have to run to the library, and hope it was there, every time I wanted to use it. It's not just for kids, it's just kid sized. This book shares the history of and useful information of some of the knots. It's well illustrated and has clearly written instructions so I can learn to make the knots. My 10 yr. old son loves this book too. This book has a wide variety to choose from: -Magic with String and Rope, -Knots, Splices, Fancy Knot Work, -Useful Things Made From Rope and String, -Braiding, -String Games and Figures.

My son & I ARE having lots of fun with Fun With String.

Fun project ideas & basic knots; Found it in the library.......1998-06-24

This small-format book is loaded with information & project ideas: belts, lanyards, mats, plus games & tricks. It also includes fingerweaving, spool knitting, lanyard, flat & round braiding-- string figures, too. Plenty of illustrations. First saw it at the public library but want my own copy!

Average customer rating:

Cat's Cradle: A Book of String Figures
Anne Akers Johnson
Manufacturer: Klutz Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound
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ASIN: B000K93STQ

Cat's Cradle, Owl's Eyes: A Book of String Games

Average customer rating:

what i think of the book
Excellent guide to an old folk favorite
Easy-to-use, large illustrations
Makes learning string games easy and fun even for beginners

Cat's Cradle, Owl's Eyes: A Book of String Games
Camilla Gryski
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0688039413

Book Description

With easy, step-by-step instructions and more than 200 diagrams, anyone can master these 40 delightful string games. "Children, as well as adults, will be carrying strings to amuse and amaze."--School Library Journal.

Customer Reviews:

what i think of the book.......2001-12-06

i think the book is good for a lot of people who are in to strings and other things that would keep people busy. i also like that this book would teach alot of people what other nations do when they have free time. when i frist read this book i was in the 7th grade and i loved it i also learned most of the tricks and i would love to read it again so i could learn more.

Excellent guide to an old folk favorite.......2000-12-08

Camilla Gryski does an excellent job of taking her readers step by step through the process of creating these figures and playing these games. More than any other books I have used on the topic, her directions will allow those who need words, those who need drawings, and those who need the sequence of steps to follow along and be successful.

This book is one of three in her series on string figures, and gives several variations on the game of Cat's Cradle. Some may be familiar to readers, but others may not be so common. Other basic figures are also introduced in this volume. To get started in this enjoyable pastime with minimal frustration, I highly recommend this book.

Easy-to-use, large illustrations.......1998-06-24

User-friendly, with large clear pictures & explanations of how to move both strings & fingers. Also the steps of Cat's Cradle for partner play.

Makes learning string games easy and fun even for beginners.......1998-05-27

This is a terrific introduction to the fascinating art of string games.

The author takes you from step one (how to tie your string together) through hand positions and basic terminology and then on into the string games themselves - starting from the easy ones and finally on to the complex two-person "Cat's Cradle."

The clear descriptions of each move and easy-to-understand diagrams make this book easy to follow for even the most uncoordinated and uninitiated! I found that by using the book to learn the games myself, and then teaching them to my children (ages 7 and 6), we were able to benefit from some great quality time!

Average customer rating:
String Figures and How to Make Them. A Study of Cat's-Cradle in Many Lands.
Caroline Furness Jayne
Manufacturer: Dover Publications Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000I31JFE

Average customer rating:

Enjoy the world of more complex string figures

J'adore!

Many Stars and More String Games
Camilla Gryski
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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Cat's Cradle, Owl's Eyes: A Book of String Games

Camilla Gryski's Favourite String Games

String Figures and How to Make Them: A Study of Cat's Cradle in Many Lands

Camilla Gryski's Cat's Cradle: A Book of String Games

String Games from Around the World (Klutz)

ASIN: 0688057926

Customer Reviews:

Enjoy the world of more complex string figures.......2000-12-08

This second book in Ms. Gryski's series is excellent for the same reasons as the first, clear, easy to follow directions; but there is more that this book offers the string figure lover. More complex and less familiar figures from around the world are included here, making this book an excellent resource for those wishing to teach aspects of world culture. Kids absolutely love to work with these figures and create their own variations, and adults enjoy them as well!

As if that is not enough, this book also includes two stories to be told with the use of the figures as "props." One story uses a single string figure, but the other is a delightful retelling from the Pacific Islands that uses a tour de force of numerous figures from throughout the book. As a storyteller who only uses a string as any kind of prop, I found this to be a wonderful addition to this already great series of books. Although it is out of print, it is only recently so, and is worth the trouble to search out.

J'adore!.......1999-08-16

Ce livre est superbe. Il a de très bonnes explications, de merveilleuses figures et trois histoires fascinantes. J'ai beaucoup aimé le berceau du chat en solo et l'histoire du Lasso de Maui.

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