Tree of Cranes by Allen Say

Bibliography
Say, Allen. 1991. Tree of Cranes. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

ISBN: 0-395-52024-x

Summary
A young boy in Japan learns about customs of Christmas when his mother, who was raised in America, teaches him about decorating a tree for Christmas.

Critical Analysis
Caldecott Award Medalist, Allen Say has written a tender story about a Japanese boy's first Christmas. Say does an excellent job developing the main character and setting the tone of the story through the little boy actions and sayings. For example, the little boy hung his head when he realized mother knew he had been playing near the pond (8). He also wonders if mother is angry with him when he opens the window (16). Through these events a reader can begin to feel a somber, but curious mood. Say does an excellent job at changing the boy's expression so the reader can really interpret what the boy is feeling. For example, when the boy realizes Mother is not happy because he played in the pond, he appears to be sad (13). On page 22 and 23, the boy is lighting the candles. He appears to be concentrating and serious about the importance of his actions.

Say's cultural markers are predominantly portrayed through his illustrations. There are also a few found in the text. One of the first cultural markers is noticed in a scene at the beginning of the story. After taking his bath the boy dresses in traditional Japanese clothing. His mother is dressed similarly also.

Another cultural marker is seen in the skin tone, hair color, and facial features of his characters. The skin tone is fair, but not yellow. The characters' hair is black and straight. Their eyes are drawn to be narrow, rather than round.

The architecture and style of the home are appropriate Japanese cultural markers, too. Say draws the home with rice paper windows, sliding doors and windows. The floor in the bathroom is made of wooden planks and the tub is a wooden box. The little boy's mattress is on the floor rather than elevated in a bed frame.

Additionally the chopsticks and food are Japanese cultural markers. The boy eats using chopsticks. Mother serves him rice gruel, sour plum, yellow radishes, and hot tea to eat for lunch.

Through out much of the story Mother is preoccupied with folding paper cranes. Folding paper into shapes is called origami, which is a traditional art form in Japan. Also, the boy receives a samuari kite as his gift under the tree. A samuari is a Japanse warrior.

Say's story presents us with a refreshing twist on a common tradition in Christian parts of the United States-the Christmas tree. Say's well-written text and beautiful illustrations provide an interesting glance at a Christian custom in Japan. Tree of Cranes is a perfect story to share with children.

Review Excerpts
Publisher's Weekly states, "The story is a poignant one, illuminated with finely drawn illustrations reflecting the serenity of a Japanese home and the quiet love between mother and son. Say ( The Bicycle Man ; El Chino ), who came to this country from Japan when he was a teenager, again exhibits a laudable sensitivity to Eastern and Western cultures--and to both the differences and the similarities between them" (1991).

Booklist reports, "Infused with gentle nostalgia, the quiet, graciously told picture book is a perfect blend of text and art. Fine-lined and handsome, Say's watercolors not only capture fascinating details of the boy's far away home--his tall, wooden tub, his futon, his mother's tiny tree--but also depict, with simple grace, the rich and complex bond between mother and child that underlies the story (1991).

Reviews accessed from http://www.titlewave.com/

Connections
Other stories by Allen Say:
Grandfather's Journey
Tea with Milk
Stranger in the Mirror
The Sign Painter
A River Dream
Music for Alice
The Lost Lake
Kamishibai Man
The Inn-Keeper's Apprentice
Home of the Brave
Emma's Rug
El Chino
Bicycle Man
Allison