Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Greenwillow Books (1987), Edition: Reprint, 32 pages
Description
A mysterious man enters a restaurant and pays for his dinner with a paper crane that magically comes alive and dances.
User reviews
LibraryThing member cpage_07
This book has a wonderful meaning. It is about a man who owns a restaurant but then a road is built so people do not come there as often anymore. However, one day an old man walks in who is very poor and the owner cooks him dinner. Before the old man leaves, he gives the owner's son a paper crane &
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tells him to close it in his hands and it will become real. When people started hearing about the bird, they came from all over to eat there again. The man comes back later on and takes the bird away but the story of the paper crane lives on. Show Less
LibraryThing member MelanieRoss
This book is about a man who owns a restaurant that does great business until a new highway is built and business slows down to almost none at all. One day, an unknown and hungry man walked into the restaurant and explained that he would not be able to pay for the food; however, the owner fed him
I would read this book to students in second grade through fourth grade. A good time to read this is when students are learning about the Japanese culture because that is the culture of the main characters in the story. This would also be good to read when teaching students the importance of being generous to others because the owner of the restaurant willingly gives the hungry man free food.
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anyway. Once the unknown man finished eating, he payed the owner in his own way; using a napkin, he made a crane. He explained that all it would take to bring this crane to life and dancing was the clap of his hands. Once the unknown man left, the owner of the restaurant clapped his hands, and sure enough, the crane came to life and danced all around. Before long, business picked up because everyone wanted to see this popular crane. After a few months, business slowed back down, which is when the same unknown man appeared again. This time, he did not say one word, but he began playing a flute and the crane flew to him. The unknown man climed on the crane's back and they flew away and have never been seen again. Ever since, the business, now called The Paper Crane, has done well because people come from all over to eat food while listening to the story of the unknown man and the dancing crane. I would read this book to students in second grade through fourth grade. A good time to read this is when students are learning about the Japanese culture because that is the culture of the main characters in the story. This would also be good to read when teaching students the importance of being generous to others because the owner of the restaurant willingly gives the hungry man free food.
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LibraryThing member ecrobinson
There once was a restaurant that sat on the side of the road which was owned by a nice man. People loved to come into the restaurant and eat. However, when a highway was built nearby, the restaurant rarely saw customers. One afternoon a stranger walked in and with him he brought his flute and the
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magic of the "paper crane". Customers began to pour in to see the dancing crane, business had never been better. The stranger returned one day, played his flute, grabbed the bird and left. However, the paper crane became a legend and the restaurant was never empty again. Show Less
LibraryThing member sbhoward321
This story is about a man who owned a restaurant on the side of a road. A highway was built and he started losing business. One night, a poor man came in and the owner served him. After he ate, he said he didn't have any money but he could pay him with a magic paper crane. He said all you had to do
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was clap your hands and he would dance. This brought a ton of customers in because they wanted to see the magic crane. Soon, the poor man came back in and flew away with the magic crane. People still come to the man's restaurant for the good food and to hear the story of the magic crane. Show Less
LibraryThing member jacox2
This book is about a restaurant owner who had a good business at first because he was near a busy road. A new highway was built close by so his business became really slow. One day he had this random man come to eat but he had no money. He said he would pay him by making a paper crane. He made it
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and it helped his business alot. Then the random man came back, this time with a flute, and as he played the crane flew down from the shelf and began to dance. When he quit playing the flute the random man got on his back and flew away. They were never to be seen again. Show Less
LibraryThing member kelasater
A popular restaurant soon becomes a deserted one after new roads were built. Business was poor, but one day a stranger came in and ate but could not afford his meal, so he paid the owner with a paper crane that would dance if he clapped his hands. Soon the restaurant became very popular bringing
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more business. Another day, the stranger returned to let the crane dance one more time, then it flew away. The restaurant was still popular because of the folklore of the paper crane. Show Less
LibraryThing member esharden
This book turned out differently than I expected. It was very magical and interesting to read. It is about a man who has a restaurant that use to be very popular until a highway was built nearby and people just drove on by and never stopped in. He became very poor because nobody was coming by to
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eat. One day, a random stranger came into the restaurant and the owner cooked him a huge meal and fed him like a king. The stranger didn't have any money but he said he would pay in another way. He made him a paper crane out of a napkin and told him that to clap his hands and it would come to life. The crane started to dance. Everyone heard about the dancing crane and came to visit and this helped the business. The man left and came back again later and played a flute while the crane came from the shelf and danced. Afterwards, he quit playing the flute and they left and were never seen again. Show Less
LibraryThing member victoriawatson
A mysterious man enters a restaurant and pays for hid dinner with a paper crane that magically comes alive and dances.
LibraryThing member kagetzfred
This is a story that can be shared with students about helping another and sharing. A man owns a popular restaurant with business that slowly begins to dwindle due to a large highway built right next to it. A man comes in and makes some magic though by giving the owner a paper crane made out a
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napkin that comes to life and dances. Customers soon return to the restaurant and business is back on track as the man never returns. This book has beautiful, simple illustrations. It can also be used as a cultural reference within the classroom as it incorporates Asian aspects in different ways. Show Less
LibraryThing member bad019
This book teaches about the power of giving. You should give but not expecting to recieve. The man is given a gift in return for his generosity that changes his fortunes. Good book if wanting to teach a certain lesson to kids about kindness.
LibraryThing member JHamm
Great book for teachers to integrate into lessons for teaching folding. An old man makes a crane that turns into a real big crane and shows great imagination. Great for children to see different ways to imagine things.
LibraryThing member ShondaNewsome
Summary:
A man owned a popular restaurant on a busy road, until a new road was built and he began to lose his customers. One day a poor man came to and asks for food and was feed very well by the owner. The poor man didn’t have any money so he created a paper crane from a napkin. With a hand clap,
Personal Relations:
I can relate to this story because it shows me to be thankful for the things that I have and how important it is to help someone who is unfortunate and in need.
Classroom Extension:
1. Have all students create and design a paper crane.
2. Have all students donate any can goods or hygiene items that will be sent to an organization to help others in need.
A man owned a popular restaurant on a busy road, until a new road was built and he began to lose his customers. One day a poor man came to and asks for food and was feed very well by the owner. The poor man didn’t have any money so he created a paper crane from a napkin. With a hand clap,
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the paper crane came to life and began to dance. The dancing brought business back to the restaurant. Later, the poor man returned and disappeared with the paper crane. Personal Relations:
I can relate to this story because it shows me to be thankful for the things that I have and how important it is to help someone who is unfortunate and in need.
Classroom Extension:
1. Have all students create and design a paper crane.
2. Have all students donate any can goods or hygiene items that will be sent to an organization to help others in need.
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LibraryThing member ktb004
A man owned a restaurant that went down hill and a stranger comes in and eats the food, but the stranger pays the man a paper crane (bird) for his meal instead of money. The bird came alive and started to dance. Everyone came to eat at his store to watch the dancing bird. One day the stranger came
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in, played the flute, took the bird and left. Now the restaurant is still in business and is known for the stores of the mysterious bird and stranger. Show Less
LibraryThing member brandonachey
I thought this book was written quite well. It has a solid story focusing on the theme of gaining wealth through generosity and kindness. I especially liked how the story illustrated that payment does not always have to be in the form of money. You can offer something of value to others without
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explicitly giving them money. The illustrations incorporated photographs of paper cranes being folded and the story greatly benefited from it. Show Less
LibraryThing member ogechukwu
This is a good book I would recommend. It'll teach the children that kindness does pay and it doesnt always have to be in the form of money. The pictures told more stories than the text and so many age groups will still find the book interesting. I liked the end where the only thing on that page
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was the hanging sign that read THE PAPER CRANE, and so the reader is able to tell that the restaurant was then named the paper crane. Show Less
LibraryThing member rfary1
The story is about a man who owns a restaurant that struggles to stay open after a highway is built and causes potential customers to drive right past the restaurant. One day an old man comes in and even though he can't pay, the restaurant owner treats the man "like a king". To repay the owners
The main point of the story is that it is important to show kindness to others, and often your kindness will be repaid. This is important for children to learn. Because it is a Japanese folktale it is also a good book to talk about different folktales from around the world. Students could learn more about origami and try making paper cranes in class (this would be a better project for grades one and up, from my experience many kindergarteners have trouble with more complicated origami like cranes).
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kindness the old man makes him an origami crane which comes to life and dances when you clap. The paper crane brings many customers who want to see it and the restaurant is profitable again. A while later the old man comes back and plays the flute, the crane dance incredibly, and the old man climbs on an flies away. I enjoyed this Asian folktale a lot. I loved that the pictures in the book which appeared to be made from paper art, which was a nice compliment to the storyline and gave the pictures a 3D effect. The main point of the story is that it is important to show kindness to others, and often your kindness will be repaid. This is important for children to learn. Because it is a Japanese folktale it is also a good book to talk about different folktales from around the world. Students could learn more about origami and try making paper cranes in class (this would be a better project for grades one and up, from my experience many kindergarteners have trouble with more complicated origami like cranes).
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LibraryThing member Laceyjo10
Review: This is the story of a young boy who has grown up helping his father in their restaurant. Hard times have hit their restaurant with the creation of a new road, and yet the father and son are able to show kindness to even the poorest of visitors to their restaurant. In return, they are given
Genre: This book is an impeccable example of a modern day folk tale. The stranger who has a magical crane that can dance and fly is a characteristic often seen in folk tales where characters posses special qualities. Also, the paper crane has a fast pace and has many underlying themes and messages besides what is explicitly spelled out in the text of the story.
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a magical paper crane that can fly and dance. Their fortunes change with the presence of the bird in their restaurant. Stunning paper cut outs help this modern day folk-tale to really jump off the page and to help children to explore the magic that can be experienced through reading. Genre: This book is an impeccable example of a modern day folk tale. The stranger who has a magical crane that can dance and fly is a characteristic often seen in folk tales where characters posses special qualities. Also, the paper crane has a fast pace and has many underlying themes and messages besides what is explicitly spelled out in the text of the story.
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LibraryThing member j-plant
"The Paper Crane" was an enjoyable book that caught my attention with this message "good things can come if you accept and tolerate others". That message was supported with a strong story that walks the reader through the story, and shows them what happened when the owner of the restaurant agreed
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to let the old man pay with the crane. The magnificent illustrations act as a window into the story that can make the reader feel as though they are part of the story and seeing things as the characters see them. This story is a modern retelling of an ancient Japanese folktale. Show Less
LibraryThing member KellyAnnGraff
The story is mystical and mesmerizing on its own, albeit short, but the illustrations are what take this book to the next level. At first glance, I thought the paper collage was clever in relation to the title, but it turned from witty to incredible when I realized the complexity and depth of each
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individual image and the utilization of various materials. It’s a sweet and hopeful tale and indeed visually innovative. Show Less
LibraryThing member MrsLee
Lovely illustrations, sweet story of a kind but poor character who is saved by a poor looking stranger who received his kindness.
LibraryThing member mkaray1
Summary: An old man owns a popular restaurant, where he serves good food since he loves to cook. Once a highway is built by his restaurant, travelers no longer stopped to eat there, and the old man became very poor. One day while the old man was cleaning with his grandson, a stranger came through
I really enjoy this book and the storyline behind it. I like the multicultural aspect of it, since it takes place in Japan. The illustrations are very different since it appears that they are made out of paper. I really like how diverse the book is, which can be seen at the part where his restaurant was full of guests of different ages, who were White, African American, and Asian. This resembles a sense of unity as they all sit together and watch the paper crane dance. The central message of this book is kindness/generosity, because even if you cannot "afford" to pay for something, it is always nice to show your appreciation and to be generous.
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the door and had a gentleness about him. The old man offered the stranger food, and the stranger thanked him by making a crane out of a piece of paper. The stranger told the old man and his grandson that they need to clap their hands for the bird to come to life. When the bird came to life, word got around town and many people started coming to the restaurant to see the magical paper crane, and to eat food. Months later, the same stranger came back and took his crane back, although guests still go to the restaurant to hear the story about the "gentle stranger and the magic crane."I really enjoy this book and the storyline behind it. I like the multicultural aspect of it, since it takes place in Japan. The illustrations are very different since it appears that they are made out of paper. I really like how diverse the book is, which can be seen at the part where his restaurant was full of guests of different ages, who were White, African American, and Asian. This resembles a sense of unity as they all sit together and watch the paper crane dance. The central message of this book is kindness/generosity, because even if you cannot "afford" to pay for something, it is always nice to show your appreciation and to be generous.
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LibraryThing member BriannaLee
There are two reasons I like this book and they are the plot and the way it is written. There are really two big messages portrayed in this book. The first one is to never give up on something that makes you happy just as the owner never gave up on his restaurant even though it had become a place
The plot in this book is very well written and draws readers into the story of a restaurant owner just trying to survive and the saving grace he receives from a complete stranger. Each page of the book continues the plot and makes the reader feel all the emotions that the owner is experiencing throughout the story. For example, on the very first page of the book it shows how much love and joy the restaurant brought to its owner and how he as aged with the restaurant. In contrast on the next page it tells the story of a big highway being built and the owner losing all his customers because they didn’t need to use the road his restaurant sat on anymore. This makes the reader feel disheartened for the owner as he could possibly be losing his dream. This creates a very interesting conflict and makes the reader want to continue reading the story to see whether or not the owner finds a solution. As the story progresses and the stranger enters the restaurant and is promptly greeted, sat and fed by the owner even though the man has no money it makes the reader want even more for the owner to become successful again because he truly is a good charitable person. As the story concludes with the owner using the crane the stranger left him to get customers to return the reader gets to see the owner happy again with his son knowing that the restaurant will be alive and well for generations.
The other aspect of this book that I liked was its clear and concise writing style. From the very first page to the very last the writing engages the reader and draws them into this heart warming story of a restaurant owner and the stranger that saves his business with a paper crane. The writing also flows very well as each page feels connected to the last and never loses the rhythm of the story. For example, when the stranger gives the owner the crane and tells the story of how it will come to life and dance at the simple clap of the hand, it shows on the very next page the crane moving and dancing thus continuing the story and keeping it entertaining. The writing also helps to enhance the moderately simplistic illustrations and brings them to life for the reader by describing the scene perfectly before the reader looks at the illustration. As the book concludes and the reader gets to see the man happy again with his thriving restaurant they feel overjoyed for him as they followed him through this journey and the writing certainly makes those feelings possible by actively engaging the reader in the story.
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no one went too any longer. The other message of the book is to always help those in need and be charitable. The owner didn’t have to feed the stranger that walked into his restaurant without any money but did because it was the right thing to do. And while you may not always be rewarded monetarily for charitably actions the true reward is the pleasure and joy you feel after helping someone less fortunate then yourself. The plot in this book is very well written and draws readers into the story of a restaurant owner just trying to survive and the saving grace he receives from a complete stranger. Each page of the book continues the plot and makes the reader feel all the emotions that the owner is experiencing throughout the story. For example, on the very first page of the book it shows how much love and joy the restaurant brought to its owner and how he as aged with the restaurant. In contrast on the next page it tells the story of a big highway being built and the owner losing all his customers because they didn’t need to use the road his restaurant sat on anymore. This makes the reader feel disheartened for the owner as he could possibly be losing his dream. This creates a very interesting conflict and makes the reader want to continue reading the story to see whether or not the owner finds a solution. As the story progresses and the stranger enters the restaurant and is promptly greeted, sat and fed by the owner even though the man has no money it makes the reader want even more for the owner to become successful again because he truly is a good charitable person. As the story concludes with the owner using the crane the stranger left him to get customers to return the reader gets to see the owner happy again with his son knowing that the restaurant will be alive and well for generations.
The other aspect of this book that I liked was its clear and concise writing style. From the very first page to the very last the writing engages the reader and draws them into this heart warming story of a restaurant owner and the stranger that saves his business with a paper crane. The writing also flows very well as each page feels connected to the last and never loses the rhythm of the story. For example, when the stranger gives the owner the crane and tells the story of how it will come to life and dance at the simple clap of the hand, it shows on the very next page the crane moving and dancing thus continuing the story and keeping it entertaining. The writing also helps to enhance the moderately simplistic illustrations and brings them to life for the reader by describing the scene perfectly before the reader looks at the illustration. As the book concludes and the reader gets to see the man happy again with his thriving restaurant they feel overjoyed for him as they followed him through this journey and the writing certainly makes those feelings possible by actively engaging the reader in the story.
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LibraryThing member marmig2
I really liked this book because the main idea was to treat everyone with kindness and I think that this is an important message for young children. I really liked how the author chose to portray this message as well. This book told the story of a man that owned an unsuccessful restaurant but his
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fortune turned around when he was kind to a man that didn't have enough money to pay for his meal. The language and writing was clear and straight-forward. The language went hand-in-hand with the illustrations and the illustrations enhanced the story and gave the reader a terrific idea of the true setting. I really like how the plot was organized and how the success for the business-owner was depicted. The author made sure to show that his success didn't happen all at once. I also liked how a variety of ethnic groups were shown in this book. I think that is a component in children's literature that is oftentimes lacking. It is important to represent many different types of cultures so that all children are able to connect to the story. Show Less
LibraryThing member mpotts1
I liked this book for three reasons. First, I liked the main message of the story about kindness and generosity being rewarded in the long run. The main character of the story is a failing restaurant owner who offers a strange man, who comes in without money, a free meal. In return, the stranger
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makes the restaurant owner a dancing paper crane that draws customers to the main character's restaurant. The second thing I liked about this story is the illustrations that went along with the text. The style of the illustrations are very unique and fit the written folklore text very well. Finally, I enjoyed the language used throughout the book. It was very descriptive and clear. All in all, this book would be a great read aloud in the classroom to teach children about always respecting others and being generous. Show Less
LibraryThing member sumnergreen8
Genre or Type of Picture Book: Fiction, Fables, Folktales, Myths, Multicultural Recommended for: Primary
The Paper Crane by Molly Bang is a fun read for young children. The book is about a proud restaurant owner whose business declines when a highway is built in front of his restaurant stopping
The Paper Crane by Molly Bang is a fun read for young children. The book is about a proud restaurant owner whose business declines when a highway is built in front of his restaurant stopping
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people from coming in. This all changes when a poor, mysterious man pays for his dinner one night in a magical paper crane. The paper crane became the main attraction of the restaurant, people wanted to come to eat to see the crane dance. After the restaurant got back on its feet, the magical, poor man returned to take away the crane, to perhaps help out someone else. Bang's simple text, along with detailed illustrations is perfect for engaging younger readers. The characters illustrated are portrayed as Asian, which adds a multicultural element to this fiction fable. This book will enhance children's imaginations and a love for reading. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Nebraska Golden Sower Award (Nominee — 1988)
Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (Winner — Picture Book — 1986)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades K-3 — 1987)
IBBY Honour Book (Illustration — 1988)
Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award (Nominee — 1988)
Reading Rainbow Program Selection (Selection — 39 — 1987)
CCBC Choices (1985)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
8.7 x 7.7 inches
ISBN
9780688073336