TITLES
- Jin Jin the Dragon, Enchanted Lion Books, 2007
- Jin Jin and Rain Wizard, Enchanted Lion Books, 2009
GRADES
K-5, Storytelling classes, Assemblies
LENGTH OF PROGRAMS
Presentations vary from about 25 minutes for Kindergarten to 45 minutes for Grades 1-5. Story telling visits are generally conducted in a classroom environment. Larger audience programs held in an auditorium setting are usually lengthier, however they can be adjusted to accommodate the school's requirements.
AUDIENCE SIZEGrace always enjoys visiting in the intimate setting of a classroom with groups of 20-30 students for storytelling and direct interaction with the children. But her presentation really comes to life with larger groups of 200 or more, where she includes music and a more sophisticated puppetry technique to tell Jin Jin's story.
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Grace's program incorporates storytelling, puppetry, gorgeous authentic Chinese costumes, audience participation and music. The message she conveys to children derives from her title character's adventures in finding about himself and the world around him.
Jin Jin is a young dragon who is impulsive, playful, sometimes mischievous but always willing to consult with wiser, older figures to help him find his way.
In addition to being a children's book author Grace is a world class master illusionist (magician) who skillfully uses her craft to convey some of the life lessons Jin Jin must acquire. Along the way children also learn to pronounce and write a few simple Chinese words and how to perform some magic themselves.
Although the program is really a lot of fun for kids, Grace also likes to focus on giving a sense of some Chinese folklore which gives deeper resonance to Jin Jin's adventures and helps children better understand cultural differences.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
Chinese Calligraphy
Grace conducts a Chinese calligraphy workshop for small groups. Children learn the basics of brushwork and character formation. In addition Grace gives students background information on the pictogram sources for characters.
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For groups of 20 to 30 children. Grace teaches a mini repertoire of basic tricks that children can perform at home and teach their parents! She shows kids how to do the tricks but more importantly how to communicate to the audience what they're doing.
Basic Origami
Grace teaches basic Origami techniques. 3 or 4 simple paper-folded objects that can be created with a minimum of difficulty.
A WORD FROM GRACE CHANG
"Jin Jin the Dragon started out as a bedtime story for my son Chadd. But it didn't really work. Every time I recited the tale of this curious and courageous little dragon he would become more and more awake. He was just full of questions, and couldn't get enough of Jin Jin's adventures in this far off and for him at the time, exotic land called China. So I thought, well why not share the stories with other children, and so the Jin Jin book series was born.
"It has been pointed out to me that in some ways the Jin Jin story is a little like my story. I felt rather unsure of my self when I first arrived in this country, somewhat in the way children are unsure of themselves until reassured that making mistakes is an integral part of learning.
"So sharing Jin Jin's story is also sharing my story. It is natural for me to combine the rich traditions of Chinese folklore with the fascination magic holds for me. As a girl I stood rapt learning the age-old secrets my grandfather taught me in the courtyards of the Forbidden City in Beijing, it was an unforgettable experience!
"Doing magic is entertaining, but it also is a gateway to gaining confidence and a fun way to learn communication skills. Helping children develop literacy with storytelling is also a kind of magic. It holds a very special and wonderful place in my life. My goal is to show children how to partake in this magic and motivate them to become lifelong readers."
FEES
NO CHARGE, no expenses. Grace would like to place a Jin Jin book in the hands of as many children as possible. She asks that the school place a minimum order of 100 hardback copies of her books at a discount of 50% for a total of $850.
SET-UP AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
We are totally self-contained. No special preparation or equipment is required for school visits.
AUTOGRAPHING INFORMATION
All books as per contract will be presold (see under Fees). Grace would like to autograph as many books as possible, so it would be a great help to have "Post-it" notes annotated with student's name and message attached to books.
LEARN MORE ABOUT GRACE CHANG
Grace Chang
170 Park Place
Brooklyn, New York 11238
Tel: 718-230-4751
2nd Tel: 718-488-9595
Email: gracechangdiscovery@yahoo.com
Website: www.changimagination.com
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