About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is facing a season of loss or when the family is experiencing a difficult financial transition. It is a soul-soothing choice for children who need to understand that kindness is a currency of its own and that hope often arrives in unexpected, quiet ways. This modern folktale follows a restaurant owner who loses his livelihood when a new highway diverts his customers. After he kindly serves a penniless stranger, he is gifted a paper crane that comes to life and dances, restoring joy and prosperity to his business. Molly Bang's unique cut-paper illustrations create a tactile, three-dimensional world that mirrors the story's themes of transformation. The narrative is gentle and profound, making it ideal for children ages 4 to 8. It moves beyond a simple lesson on manners to explore deeper concepts of gratitude, the cyclical nature of fortune, and the magical spark that human connection can ignite during hard times.
