A winsome story interestingly illustrated with collage and drawings. ( )

13 copies

This is a retelling of an ancient Japanese folktale about kindness and generosity. A prosperous business owner falls into poverty when a super-highway causes travelers to by-pass his restaurant. Then he feeds a mysterious stranger who doesn't have money to pay for his meal. Instead, the stranger pays with a magical paper crane that comes alive and dances ... and causes the deserted restaurant to be noticed by travelers again.

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Summary:
"The Paper Crane" by Molly Bang is a story about a restaurant on the side of the road that is forgotten when a new highway is built. One day, a on old man visits the restaurant but cannot pay for his meal so he pays in another way. He leaves behind a paper crane that will dance when the owner claps his hands. The magic paper crane helps to bring back the customers.

Personal Reaction:
The story is very traditional. A lot of stories have the theme of helping in other ways apart from money. In the beginning of the story, the owner loves to cook food and he loves to serve the food he cooks. When the restaurant stops getting customers the owner is truly sad because he has no one to serve his food to. The old man knows this which is way he pays for his meal in a way that will help to bring back his customers.

Extension Ideas:
1.) This could be a good introduction to the Japanese culture and the art of paper folding. There are many stories behind the different animals and things that take shape from paper folding.
2.) This story also teaches children that there are other ways of helping people instead of just giving money. ( )