Kites: Magic Wishes That Fly Up To The Sky

Everyone loves to fly kites, but few people know their special history. Demi's beautifully illustrated book blends storytelling with fact to reveal the time-honored traditions behind kite flying and kite festivals in China. With illustrated directions for making and decorating magic kites, readers of all ages can soon be flying their own wishes up to the sky.

A Note to Parents and Teachers

The fun continues after the story is finished! As part of the Dragonfly Difference, we've included two pages of activities inspired by this story. We hope you'll enjoy them with a child after reading this Dragonfly Book.

Dragonfly's Make-a-Wish

Each of the kite symbols in this book represents a different kind of wish. What special fortune do you think these Chinese symbols might bring?

1. bear

2. plum

3. dog

4. watermelon seeds

5. oyster

6. rose

Compare your answers with the Chinese meanings listed below. Do you have a wish for your family, your teacher, your friend, or yourself? On a separate piece of paper, draw a picture of the kite you would fly to make this wish come true.

Finding Fortune

You'll find many different symbols within the pages of this book. Look through each page and see if you can spot the following:
-- Five symbols for happiness
-- Four symbols for power
-- Three symbols for peace
-- Two symbols for cleverness
-- One symbol for love

Lots of Luck

Make a charm necklace for a friend or family member in need of good fortune!

You'll need:
-- clay
-- a straw
-- yarn or colored string (approximately 25-30 inches long)

1. Choose an animal, insect, or other symbol that represents the kind of good fortune you need.

2. Have an adult help you mold the clay around the straw into the symbol of your choice.

3. When the charm is finished, have an adult help you gently remove the straw, leaving a hole through the center of the clay.

4. Let your charm dry and harden.

5. Have an adult help you thread the piece of yarn through the hole and tie both ends together.

6. Give your lucky charm necklace to a friend or family member!

Dragonfly's Double Ninth

You can hold your own Double Ninth celebration, just like the one in this book. First, make your own kites following the directions in the book. Then invite friends and family members for a day of outdoor fun. Fly kites. Make wishes. Serve fortune cookies or another Chinese treat!

Long ago, a mother flew a kite in the sky where the gods would see it and grant her wish for a healthy son. From there, the practice grew, and soon everyone wanted to fly their wishes up to heaven. Today kite-flying is an important event on the Double Ninth Festival -- September 9.