Tree of Cranes by Allen Say

Genre: Children’s Lit

Medium: Hardcover

Synopsis: A young boy recovers from sickness while his mother decorates the Christmas tree.

Review: Allen Say is the master at telling Asian-American stories.  A young Japanese boy, who’s always lived in Japan, discovers what his mother is doing: decorating a Christmas tree.  His mother moved to Japan to be with his father, and in doing so, left behind some traditions that she must now recreate to enjoy.  This cross between cultures produces a new perspective for the young boy–a perspective where sharing cultures is exciting and celebrated.

And, of course, Allen Say’s illustrations are just downright gorgeous, effectively capturing the beauty of the story.

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