About the Author:
by Hugh William McKibbon and illustrated by Scott Cameron
From School Library Journal:
Grade 1-4. The ancient origins of chess are the stuff of legend. This Persian story set in India reinforces historians' theory that the game began there. It tells of a young boy, Mohan, who loved games, who made one based on military strategy, and called it chaturanga (a Sanskrit word meaning "four divisions"). The game was wildly popular and when Mohan was a very old man, he was summoned by the king to be rewarded for the pleasure and honor he had brought to the country. Commanded to name a reward Mohan finally asked for rice?one grain on the first square of the chess board, two on the second, four on the third and so on, doubling the amount at each square. The king was appalled at such a meager request, but agreed. Of course, by the time counting began on the 33rd square, he realized that it would take thousands of years to grow enough rice to fill the board. The king retired, sick with dishonor, but Mohan convinced him that the trick had increased the king's wisdom. Strong full-page oil paintings, full of light and color, people this solid story with lively street and courts scenes. An afterword elaborates on the possible origins of chess. This story should appeal to chess and folktale fans alike. It will also join Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar (Philomel, 1983) and David Schwartz's How Much Is a Million? (Lothrop, 1985) in the ranks of good picture books to explain large number concepts.?Sally Margolis, formerly at Deerfield Public Library, IL
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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