A children's picture book
by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer
how to turn the origami bird project
from The Origami Master into a bird
that actually flies!
NathanielLachenmeyer.com.
from Albert Whitman. You can find it at your favorite bookstore or online.
The Origami Master was chosen by the American Library Association as a Book
Links Lasting Connection of 2008. The Origami Master is a Junior Library Guild
Selection and was picked by the American Booksellers Association for the
Children's Indie Next List. Here is the bookseller review:
The Origami Master by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer, Aki Sogabe (illus.)
(Albert Whitman, $16.99, 9780807561348 / 0807561347)
"This is a beautiful story about the true meaning of friendship. Aki Sogabe's
illustrations are strikingly beautiful and truly enhance the simple yet poignant text.
Another plus is that the book contains directions for creating the origami bird
featured in the story!" --Carmen Slaughter, Yawn's Books & More, Canton, GA
Here is the Junior Library Guild review:
"With The Origami Master, Nathaniel Lachenmeyer and Aki Sogabe bring readers
a tale as simple and elegant as origami itself. Sogabe’s art pairs bold outlines with
minimal backgrounds, keeping the reader’s attention fixed on the story’s
characters and their artwork. Lachenmeyer’s text is similarly sparse, with no
extraneous dialogue or gimmickry to distract from the book’s plotline.
Such restraint adds to the impression that The Origami Master could be mistaken
for a long-forgotten gem of ancient folklore. Like those classic tales, it boasts a
small cast of archetypal characters—in this case, and artist whose pride too
quickly turns to jealousy and a bird whose innocent nature requires freedom. And
like many of the most beloved folktales, The Origami Master brings home its moral
lesson with a succession of clever plot twists.
Children will particularly love The Origami Master for its bright depictions of folded-
paper animals—including spiders, elephants, and dragons. Anticipating young
readers’ interest in the art form, the book also provides easy-to-follow instructions
for making their own origami."
--Junior Library Guild Monthly
The St. Louis Dispatch picked The Origami Master as one of the best children's
books of 2008.
The Origami Master was chosen by the South Carolina Department of Education
for South Carolina Reads 2009.
"Nathaniel Lachenmeyer has created an extraordinary story layered with subtle
lessons about life, and Aki Sogabe has artfully created a beautiful story of her own
with stunning paper-cut art. The two combine to tell a truly beautiful tale."
--Children's Literature
"The colorful shapes and bold, black lines of the cut paper and watercolor
illustrations has the feel of woodcuts and carry well for group presentations, but
lap sitters will like looking, too. Following the familiar pattern of a folktale, the
restrained original story will enrich multicultural studies, encourage origami
activities, and make children think."
--Booklist
"A solid choice for discussing the importance of respecting each living creature's
own space."
--School Library Journal
“A wonderful read and a wonderful find. A must for any collection.”
--Elizabeth Bird, Children's librarian and blogger (A Fuse #8 Production).
"Aki Sogabe combines cut paper with water color to create illustrations that
perfectly complement the simplicity and straightforward beauty of this story for
ages 4 to 8."
--St. Louis Dispatch
Be Creative @ Your Library
Roundtable Reviews for Kids
North Brunswick Library Summer Reading List
Kern County Library
Kids Summer Reading Program 2009 - Great Summer Reads
Library Talk
DaddyRead
Interview with me on Dulemba.com
Library Collections
The Big Read - Booklist
A Fuse #8 Production
Bookshelf: What We're Reading
Chicken Spaghetti
Batesburg-Leesville Primary School (SC)
Reading, Writing, Ruminating
2008 Best Books blog