The Paper Crane: Tus Noog Qej Qawg Ntawv

by Molly Bang

This bilingual edition is part of the Hmong Translation Initiative coordinated by Motheread.Fatheread – MN, a curriculum-based family literacy program of the Minnesota Humanities Commission (MHC). The purpose of this project is to help Hmong families develop literacy skills in their first language as well as in English. Because of the Moob Ntsuab (Green Mong) and Hmoob Dawb (White Hmong) dialects are different, the translation committee has translated the English text into both. The Hmong text is featured next to the English, and the book’s original artwork is maintained.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Japan, Cultural, Asia, Fiction, Fantasy

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1985

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now while I have indeed and very much enjoyed the sweetly descriptive, often delightfully esoteric marriage of text and images of Molly Bang's The Paper Crane (that real and palpable but also glowingly imaginative sense of magic and that being of a kind and generous spirit will or rather can engender and give many types of wonderful and unexpected rewards), I do have to admit that I did and still do kind of feel as though I am for one only getting part of the story with The Paper Crane and that for two and yes for me much more importantly from a folkloric and academic point of view, that the complete and total lack of an author's note with regard to cultural background, with regard to which folktale or folktales Molly Bang has made use of (or might have made use of) to compose The Paper Crane really does bother and rather massively annoy me. For I am certainly very much left wondering as to from which specific (and likely Asian) traditions The Paper Crane hails, whether it is as I from the title and especially the origami illustrations suspect a Japanese inspired story (whether it might even be a combination of different cultures and traditions, or perhaps that Molly Bang's tale is actually a totally original offering, albeit one inspired by origami and such). And thus, only three stars for The Paper Crane (but yes indeed, with an adequate author's note, my rating would have very quickly and easily been four and perhaps even five stars).

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved The Paper Crane. As I opened it, I immediately remembered it from my childhood. I couldn't have said exactly what happened, but it filled me with a happy little ache sense of magic and mystery and that is exactly how I felt after I read the book and became reacquainted with the story. I think it's lovely. It shows how important it is to give with kindness and generosity of spirit, expecting nothing in return. It shows the surprise rewards that can come of having an open heart. I also love that the reward wasn't for some exaggerated wealth or status, it was just to restore what was loved and lost.

It's a book from the mid-80s and I think it would benefit from an author's note explaining a little background or setting perhaps. But, it still gets five stars from me.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bang's version of this Japanese folktale captures multiculturalism in the best way. The three main characters are clearly Japanese, as is the origami crane at the center of the story. The other characters are a diverse bunch and- my favorite detail of all - the restaurant owned by the main character serves Western food like garden salad and layer cake, with nary a chopstick in sight. It's a subtle lesson, reminding us that minorities can simultaneously embrace some aspects of their heritage without being ghettoized into a needless representation of *all* mainstream expectations.

Bang's artistic choices also stand out here, as she uses dimensional paper collage to illustrate a story about the power of a piece of paper art. The crane itself begins as the well-known origami figure, before becoming something more within the story ... but remaining a paper crane from the perspective of the reader, a nice, visual example of what the word "irony" technically means.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly Bang is from Massachusetts and I took my children to an exhibit of her work in Duxbury in the 90's. This particular book was illustrated using paper cutouts. I saw the actual illustrations which were 3 dimensional and spectacular.
The Paper Crane is a reworked version of an old Chinese folktail. In this story a father's restaurant is losing business because of a new road. A customer arrives and cannot pay for his meal so gives the father this paper crane which will turn into a real bird and ultimately does....attracting new business for the failing restaurant. The themes are timeless...the illustrations unique in their use of paper cutouts and collage.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Picture Book
Age Level: Grades 2-3
World View: Lower Class, ethnic (Asian specific)
A man and his son run a restaraunt, but due to the construction of the new highway, it becomes a lonesome place. A tall tale unravels though when a mysterious man comes in with no money, and saves the restaraunt with his dancing paper crane. This book is simple, turns a bad situation into a story of hope, and has good morals that are fun to read about.
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[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating folktale about kindess and generosity being rewarded. In return for a free meal, an old man presents a failing restaurant owner with a paper crane.

The origami crane is magical and comes to life, creating a sensation in the town and saving the restaurant owner's business. Our girls enjoyed watching the story on the Tumblebooks website. (http://www.tumblebooks.com)

This book was selected as one of the books for the May 2018 - Boston Globe-Horn Book Picture Book Award Winners 1983-1990 discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

[Jennifer (JenIsNotaBookSnob) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Multicultural book, but not written by someone from the culture and in the copy I read, no source notes for the original material. When retelling a folktale, I prefer my books include some credit to the original tale even if it has been heavily modified.

Story is simple enough- a man owns a restaurant and loses business because the new highways means people don't pass his restaurant. He feeds a poor stranger who gives him a paper crane which comes to life and dances and brings people back to his restaurant.

Illustration style is kind of cool, like the layered paper. It's a nice enough story with nice illustrations, but, lack of credit to the original folk tale is sort of a bummer for me.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this magical little story and I loved the collage and cut paper illustrations. Even though there is no explanation as to why the old man would help out the restaurant owner, I still appreciated how he helped with the magical origami crane.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice children's story about a mysterious man who visites a road side diner, and the oragami paper crane he leaves behind.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Japanese folktale retold. Sweet and quiet. Illustrations are paper art (makes sense).

[J.H. Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caldecott A-Z Review: The Paper Crane - 1986, Molly Bang
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2009 AT 10:25AM
modify remove organize post follow up
Author/Illustrator: Molly Bang
The Paper Crane, William Morrow & Company, 1985

The Paper Crane is classic collage-cut paper and print. Bang gets a real 3-D quality out of the cut outs. The characters are well rendered, consistent, and show a ton of emotion.
the Crane is rendered in white pastel on brown paper—it is a stunning effect. The story has typical folk elements—kindness to a stranger brings wealth and fame. In Grey Lady, again Bang uses torn paper and mixed media. The "lady" is rendered only on gray paper as face and hands—all else is paper or collage. the book is a wordless allegory with a strange being who follows the lady to steal her berries. The book is an amazing study of negative space.

Other Titles:


Delphine, Morrow, Junior, 1988
When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry…, Scholastic, 1999
Caldecott; Charlotte Zolotow Award
The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher, Macmillan, 1980 - Caldecott
In My Heart
Wiley and the Hairy Man, 1976
Dawn, 1984
Ten, Nine, Eight, 1984 - Caledecott
Men from the Village
Deep in the Mountains
The Old Woman ad the Red Pumpkins
The Old Woman and the Rice Thief

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Paper Crane by Molly Bang is a retelling of an old Chinese folktale. A stranger is fed by the owner of a failing restaurant, & gives a magical paper crane in payment for his meal. When someone claps, the paper crane comes to life & dances. This gift attracts customers & saves the business. The stranger eventually return & reclaims the bird, flying off on its back. Stories of the crane and its departure keep the restaurant flourishing.

The story is gentle and has themes of generosity, kindness and working hard. The unique illustrations are 3 dimensional, using paper folding, cutouts and collage. I enjoyed learning of Molly Bang's job illustrating manuals and liked a glimpse of that with her drawing of the new road bypassing the restaurant.

For ages 5 to 8, restaurants, magic, or folktale themes, and for Molly Bang fans.

[Fenixbird SandS]

Fantastic book...and based on an old Chinese folk legend (according to Suzanne's review). Sharing here to another incredible legend (Japanese) about paper cranes.....

"..Thousand Origami Cranes (千羽鶴, Senbazuru?) is a group of one thousand origami paper cranes held together by strings. An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. The crane in Japan is one of the mystical or holy creatures (others include the dragon and the tortoise), and is said to live for a thousand years. In Japan, it is commonly said that folding 1000 paper origami cranes makes a person's wish come true. This makes them popular gifts for special friends and family..." www.wikipedia.org

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Paper Crane by Molly Bang is story about the good luck a magical crane brings a struggling restaurant. According to the author, it's a retelling of the "Dancing Yellow Crane" fable from China.

A struggling restaurant gives a free meal to a weary traveler. To repay them for their generosity, he folds his napkin into a paper crane. Upon leaving, the paper crane comes to life. The heart and soul of the book is the power of thoughtful gifts to enrich life.

The illustrations are done in a multimedia, collage that highlights the cut paper crane. The style selected was one of trial and error. Molly Bang describes the many different methods she tried: pencil drawings, Chinese ink drawings, and two different collage styles.

[Sophie Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was about a man who owned a restaurant that was once popular. Once a highway was built though, the business slowed down and hardly anyone came in. One night an old man came in and ate the food there. Since he had no money, he made a paper crane for the man and his child, and said that you only have to clap your hands for the crane to come to life and dance. This was true and business started to pick up once people had learned of the dancing paper crane. The old man then visited again and played the flute for the bird, and then rode the bird out of the window and was never seen again. This is a great story for kids to learn about other cultures and the things they believe in. It was interesting and a very cute story to introduce to a K-3 class learning about other cultures.

[Itzia]

This story was a fun book to read. It was about a family that own their own restaurant but they are not getting enough business and they wish they could somehow bring in customers. One day, a old man comes in and they decide to give him a free meal and in return the man gives them a paper crane and tells the family that it will help them bring customers. So the next day the crane comes alive and starts dancing and everyone in town comes to see the crane and the family starts getting a lot of business and it makes them very happy. They never saw the old man again. I think this is a cute children book.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Text to Text Connection
This book reminded me of the Little House. In this book a popular restaurant loses customers when a new highway is built and no one drives by the restaurant anymore. A mysterious man pays for his meal with a magical origami crane that comes to life and dances in the restaurant.

Many people come to the restaurant to see the crane and it becomes a popular place to eat again.
In the Little House, a city grows up around a cute little cottage. One day the house is moved to a new place in the country and the house comes back to life with a new family living inside.

These books show the reader that life can change and with hope, we can go on.

[Andria Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a man that owned a restaurant that stopped being busy when a highway was being built going past it until one day, an older gentlemen came in and ordered food while having no money. To pay, he folded a napkin into a paper crane. He told the owner that all he had to do was clap and the bird would come to life. The owner tried it and it came to life like the man said. The bird helped bring life back to the restaurant as people started visiting the restaurant again to see the bird.

I enjoyed this book a lot. I thought it was a very heart warming story and the pictures were nice too.

(Traditional Lit)

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of a man who owns a busy restaurant until a new road is built and business goes down. Then a stranger came into the restaurant. He cannot pay the meal but the man serves him anyways. The stranger makes him a paper crane that will dance when the man claps his hands. This brought people into his restaurant and they were busy again. The stranger returned. He plays the flute and the crane dances beautifully. The stranger and the magic crane flew off and was never seen again.

Teaches students to help one another because we never know what could happen in return.

[Sheniece · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book can be used for so many purposes. Here are a few good uses for this story.
1. Introducing origami
2. Discuss how the things people do can affect others
3. Introducing a different culture (Asian culture in particular)
4. Discussing the importance of sharing and helping others in need
I particularly like the illustrations Bang provides in the book. Some pictures look three deminsional; one looks like it was hand drawn. The simplicity of some of the pictures looks easy enough for children to draw. People who are into art will enjoy the illustrations.

[qrace ") Natua · Rating 3 out of 5]

A business finally becomes very successful the business is a small family restaurant after a mysterious stranger paying for his meal with a magical paper crane that comes alive and dances.I chose this book because I read the back and I thought it was interesting. This book comes under the category of reading a book with a main male character.I lernt that there is always hope. My favourite character is the old man who was poor and was fed by the owner of the restaurant in return this old man man a paper crane and gave it to the owner.

[Rima Aroutiounian · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Paper Crane" is a ancient Japanese fairy tail. It is a pourqui story. Its is about a man who has a restaurant that no one visits. One day a stranger comes in. The owner gives him a king's meal. The stranger pays him with a paper crane made from napkin. He tells the owner if you clap the paper crane will turn into a real bird, which he does. Then the restaurant blooms as people start to hear about the dancing crane. The story goes in a repetitive manner which is good to build vocabulary and narrative skills.

[alicebme · Rating 3 out of 5]

6. Personal Response: This is my first real attempt at reading online books, and I’m thrilled with the results. I”ll have my son check out this site for sure. I’m especially glad that the words are included in the storytelling, and that they are highlighted by phrasing as they are read by the narrator.[return]7. Connections: I will definitely be using this site with my low readers and ELLs, and probably even with my middle readers as well.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful folktale about a restaurant, a special visitor and a dancing paper crane.

I love the illustrations, done in photograhed paper cutours. I was interested to learn that Molly Bang, the author and illustrator, has lived in Europe, Japan and India, and spent a year in Mali working with a rural health project.

[Mhm Storytelling]

I used this book with my students when we were studying origami. I read the story to them prior to teaching them how fold a paper crane. This would also be great with any lesson on Asian culture or history. Children could interact with this book by dancing as that's what the paper crane does when it comes to life.

[Clairissa D]

This text is about a father's who owns a restaurant and is losing business because of near by construction.One day a man comes in and is unable to pay for his food as collateral the old man gives the father a paper crane that turns into a real bird. The bird begins to attract business. I would use this text to teach character traits as well as sequencing.

[Yasmin Gomez Geng]

Changes in the community are part of life, things like new roads, can lead to undesirable changes.

In this story, a father and his son lose customers until a sweet old man stops by their restaurant and leaves them a thank-you present.

Grade: 1st Grade to 2nd Grade
Topic: Origami, Character Development

[Asho · Rating 3 out of 5]

The kids each got a copy of this book at the National Book Festival this year and listened to it read aloud at one of the booths. Apparently this is a well-known Japanese folktale, although I don't recall ever having heard it before. It's a nice story, but better to read in an intimate setting because the illustrations are textured and interesting.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man owns a restaurant that is bypassed by a new highway. His once booming busines comes to a standstill. A strange but kind man gifts the restaurant a paper crane that comes to life and dances. Many come to the restaurant to see this sight and stay to enjoy the food. Scrapbook like page layout.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old man receives a feast from the once successful restaurant owner. He pays with a napkin folded as a crane. He shares that with one clap, the crane will come to life and dance. Now guests come and business is up. Later man comes back and plays the flute and they ride off together.