Crane Boy

September 15, 2015
The black-necked cranes that return to Kinga's village in Bhutan each winter inspire the schoolboy to convince his classmates and the local monks to create a festival in their honor. This imagined re-creation of the origin of the annual Crane Festival in the Phobjika Valley, a modern celebration and occasion for environmental education, makes a nice connection to children anywhere who love the natural world. Kinga and his classmates are excited to see the cranes arriving outside their schoolroom window. Their teacher builds on their enthusiasm by taking them to a sanctuary to learn more about the birds, whose numbers are dwindling. This inspires Kinga to suggest the festival. They ask the monks, who sponsor the community's sacred dances, to help them compose and perform a dance of their own that emulates the movements of the elegant birds. Cohn weaves numerous details about Bhutanese life and culture into her smoothly told story; Youme adds even more with watercolor images in a naive style that nicely matches Kinga's present-tense narration. A three-generational family dinnertime scene is especially appealing. Interspersed are images of Bhutanese prayer flags and crane drawings made by schoolchildren during the author and illustrator's visit to that country. The story ends with further information, a map, and photographs. Gracefully celebrates both a little-known culture and its beloved birds. (Informational picture book. 6-9)

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November 1, 2015

K-Gr 4-Kinga is a young Bhutanese boy who eagerly anticipates the black-necked cranes' migration back to the Phobjika Valley-his home-each year. According to Kado, who is called the "Caretaker of the Cranes," fewer birds are migrating back each year. Kinga consults with his family and friends and decides to propose a festival to celebrate the birds' migration and draw attention to their need to be protected. Local monks partner with the schoolchildren to present a new crane dance to the King of Bhutan, as well as the townspeople, which attracts spectators from near and far. Cohn's straightforward text chronicles the fictionalized genesis of this very real festival held in the Kingdom of Bhutan each year, which has boosted awareness of ecologically sound farming practices to include wetlands habitat protection, as well as encouraged ecotourism in the area. Told from Kinga's perspective, the narrative serves as a very real answer to the question children often ask when they encounter an issue larger than themselves: "What can I do?" Landowne's brightly colored illustrations and soft-edged figures serve to reinforce the perspective of the child narrator while capturing the natural beauty of the Bhutanese culture and people. VERDICT Give this lovely picture book to any child who is looking to change the world for the better.-Colleen S. Banick, Westport Public Schools, CT

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