A young Japanese boy, having disobeyed his mother and visited a nearby carp pond, gotten wet and then taken a chill, is given a steaming bath and put into his pajamas by that disapproving parent in this lovely picture book from author/illustrator Allen Say. The boy's mother seems oddly distant, and at first he thinks it must be because of his behavior, but in truth she is consumed with memories of her childhood in a far-off land called California, where, on this day, she recalls seeing the most beautiful decorated trees. Digging up the boy's pine tree, she decorates it with origami cranes and candles, and shares some of her memories of this special day with her son...

As with all Allen Say titles, Tree of Cranes is a lovely book, one which pairs a gentle but deeply moving narrative with beautiful watercolor artwork. Although I first read it years ago, and many times since, it appears I never listed or reviewed it online, something I am rectifying this holiday season. The words and visuals here work seamlessly together, creating a warm, inviting feeling for the reader—an atmosphere of quiet joy and contemplation, and a sensation of sinking into someone else's memories. How appropriate, for as the boy shares his mother's memories, we share his! Highly recommended to any picture book readers looking for Christmastime stories with a somewhat different setting, or for stories about memory, cross-cultural experiences, and the bond between mothers and sons. ( )

A Japanese-American woman helps her son, in Japan, understand the joy of Christmas while he is home sick from school. ( )

Faraway in Japan, a little boy breaks the rules. He knows he will be in trouble. When he returns home, he expects his mother to be waiting for him. Instead she ignores him. Is she really so angry she won't even talk to him? After a hot bath and a hot lunch, the little boy is sent to bed. Confused and hurt, he worries about his mother who seems so distant. Why is she acting so strangely?

Soon his mom returns with silver paper cranes, a little tree, and candles. Today is a very special day in the land where his mother grew up. It is Christmas. In the soft glow of candlelight, the little boy shares this special day of peace and love with his mother as she remembers her faraway home.

The Bottom Line: This sentimental tale celebrates the merging of two cultures. Say's gentle words combined with beautiful, soft watercolors highlights a time of peace, love, and hope as a mother shares a treasured tradition with her child. Highly recommended holiday reading for kids ages 4 - 8.

This review also appears at the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog. ( )

A beautiful watercolor book about a young Japanese boy who learns about Christmas from his mother, who was born and raised as a small child in California before moving to Japan. In addition to learning about Christmas, the boy has also been in trouble for breaking a promise to his mother about staying safe while playing alone outdoors. In what I believe to be the bigger part of the story, he is forced to acknowledge that his behavior has been reckless and angering his mom. ( )

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. ( )