Tree of Cranes

By Allen Say

As a young Japanese boy recovers from a bad chill, his mother busily folds origami paper into delicate silver cranes in preparation for the boy's very first Christmas.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Nov 16, 2009
• ISBN: 9780547350486

Allen Say

Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, and came to the United States when he was sixteen. His many treasured books for children include Tree of Cranes, Allison, and the Caldecott Medal–winning Grandfather's Journey. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

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Reviews for Tree of Cranes

[raizel_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A gentle, poignant story about a young boy in Japan whose mother shares her memories of Christmas in California by bringing in a tree from their garden and decorating it with origami cranes and candles. To her, the holiday is about feelings of peace; nothing religious is mentioned. The illustrations, of course, are beautiful and capture the mood of the story.

[supendleton · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In the story, the narrator's mother shares a memory of what Christmas is like in America. Although she lives in Japan, she grew up in California and shares some of her memories with her son. I really like the illustrations because they show students a glimpse of life in Japan (clothing, food, toys, tradition). A good book to share at Christmas.

[stephanie.west · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

SummaryA little boy in an Asian country is introduced to a new holidays by his American mother, where you excoriate a tree and exchange love and gifts, sound familiar?Personal ReactionThe writing was a little dull for my taste but, the message it shows about beliefs, actions, and thoughts of another culture is really eye opening.Class Extension1. Depending on age/ability go step by step in making paper cranes with my class to hang up and decorate up room and also discuss the belief of 1,000 cranes in another culture.2. Discuss Christ,as amd a holiday and the importance of thoughtful gifts rather than expensive gifts3. Do a homemade gift exchange with class

[dukefan86 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a nice multicultural Christmas story! I enjoy Allen Say's illustrations, and in this book, the origami cranes and candles on the tree are especially nice.

[matthewbloome · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an exceptional book. It really brought up the issue of cultural education from another point of view, that of a Japanese mother teaching her son about an American custom, namely celebrating Christmas. It was a good book and I'd be open to sharing it with an audience of children as a means of opening a discussion of cultural differences and mutual respect. Also it's an unusual point of view for a Christmas story, one that would interest children.

[jlgadberry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Summary:Following a little boy's disobedience of his mother's instruction not to play in the pond, he is horrified to realize that she has dug up the tree that was planted to symbolize his life while he lays in his bed rewarming. She decorates the tree and then proceeds to explain to him that she did not always live in Japan, but had lived in California for a portion of her life and that the tree was in celebration of the Christmas tradition.Personal Reflection:This was a great book exemplifying how what is normal tradition in one cultural seems strange to another. It also shows how where one has lived and what one has seen can impact a household. It is a great example of respecting other traditions and not being afraid to participate in it, even if it is not from one's personal set of beliefs.Classroom Extension:- Would be a great addition to a unit involving study of various winter traditions- Could be used to help students understand the importance of learning about other cultures and keeping an open mind when things seem strange to them.

[schuman_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story about a boy's first Christmas in Japan. The illustrations are amazing and it shows that people celebrate the holidays in different ways but what stays the same is family ties and love. Great read for understanding different cultures.

[sarahjohouck · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Summary:A young boy's mother is acting strange one day and she ends up telling him of a time when she lived in California, and how they celebrated Christmas. She took a tree from the backyard and placed paper cranes on it with candles, and shared this experience with him. Personal Reaction: In the first half of the book I was wondering where this story was going. I couldn't really make any kind of conclusion of what was going on. Over all I really enjoyed it. I liked how she shared her California experience with her son.Classroom Extension Ideas:1) I would use this book probably around Christmas time. Showing the different culture, and how in different countries people don't always celebrate just Christmas. And how this mother wanted to share her experience of something different. 2) I would use this book as an introduction to my class. Then the students will have a discussion on what each of them might do to celebrate during the holidays. They would be able to share different holidays such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and many more.

[katiekirk · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Summary:Tree of Cranes is about a little boy's first Christmas. He doesn't understand all the things his mama is doing at first and he thinks that he is in trouble. In the end everything is explained and the boy has a wonderful first Christmas with his family.Personal Reaction:I was honestly confused for awhile about what was going on in the story. However, I did enjoy the book, especially when i finished it and understood it all! Also, I really liked the illustrations.Classroom Extension Ideas:1. One activity I would love to do after reading this to students is show them how to make paper cranes. My 6th grade teacher taught us how to make paper cranes and my whole class really enjoyed learning.2. This is also a great multicultural book! You could have a lesson on different Christmas traditionsaround the world. You could also have the students talk about their own families' Christmas traditions.

[ktinney2315937 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is about a little boy who lives in Japan. His mother tells him that before she met his father she lived in California. In California they celebrated what was called Christmas, when celebrating this they would decorate a tree. So she decorated a tree for him and let him celebrate his first Christmas. This book shows that no matter where you are you can still celebrate the holidays.

[mildred981 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A tree of Cranes is a story of an Asian boy who has his first Christmas. That morning he had done his usual routine he played at the pond his mother forbidden him to go. However, when he came home his mother was acting strange. She was making silver doves and then she went outside and dug up a tree they had planted when he was born. She then explained that in California she remembers the bright Christmas trees there and now she wanted to do this for her son.This book has vividly illustration that helps unfold the story. Also, the book is multicultural and would be a great book to read aloud to children.This is a good book for teachers to read if they have Asians in their class. Also, a good activity for parents to do with their kids is create their very own special ornament for their Christmas tree.

[bamabreezin4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I like the way the book alludes to Christmas before outright telling the reader that they are going to celebrate Christmas. This way, it teaches a powerful lesson to children about wishing, giving and receiving, obedience, and love.

[kljohnson2-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Tree of Cranes by Allen Say (2009) This story is about a little boy who lives in Japan. It is winter time and he disobeys his mom by playing on the frozen pond. One day his mom acts very strangely and doesn't talk to him. Later he finds out why. His mom wants him to know about Christmas and decorates a beautiful Christmas tree for him. The next morning he gets a kite he wanted and he promise his mom he won't play by the pond anymore.