Lotus and Feather

Description

From School Library Journal K-Gr 2—Lotus lives near a lake with her grandfather, a basket maker. While the setting is unspecified, the students' red scarves suggest China during the Cultural Revolution. The protagonist has been ignored by her classmates since a "winter illness" rendered her speechless. Her grandfather mourns another kind of solitude: the absence of animals in their wetlands habitat, which has been "ruined by greedy fishermen and hunters." A single crane, and the offstage hunter who wounds it, transforms everything. The girl's ability to communicate in other ways reveals her resourcefulness, as when she pounds on a pail to scare the gunman away. Downing's watercolors are atmospheric: muted blue-grays, greens, and purples blend, creating a foggy, mystical backdrop. Varying page designs manipulate focus or indicate passing time. The color red (in the child's clothing and the bird's crown) visually connects the girl and the animal. Lotus carries the wounded crane home, where he is tenderly nursed back to health. Feather becomes a beloved companion, following her to school and dancing to her reed whistle in the falling snow—to the delight of the students. His crowing warns the sleeping family and then the villagers, saving everyone from rising floodwaters caused by a distant earthquake. Because a wild creature must heed the call of migration, there is an inevitable parting, but a stunning finale shows the crane's return, his family and flock descending upon the water. According to the jacket flap, this book is based on actual events. VERDICT Elegant storytelling and arresting compositions combine for a deeply satisfying emotional and aesthetic experience. Best shared one-on-one or in a small group so that children can pore over the lively and engaging artwork.—Wendy Lukehart, District of Columbia Public Library Read more Review PRAISE FOR RED KITE, BLUE KITE"Though this is told against the backdrop of a dark part of Chinese history, any child coping with separation from a loved one may find comfort in this story."―KirkusPRAISE FOR RED KITE, BLUE KITE"The detailed and colorful watercolor paintings paired with the deep emotions in the text make this an excellent read for young children, one that will spark curiosity and questions."―Library Media ConnectionPRAISE FOR RED KITE, BLUE KITE"A reassuring tale of a father-son bond strong enough to withstand a trying period of separation."―Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Read more About the Author Ji-li Jiang (www.jilijiang.com) was born in Shanghai, China. She brought her memories of the Cultural Revolution in China to life in her first book, Red Scarf Girl, which has become required reading in many schools. Following the success of Red Scarf Girl, she published her adaptation of Chinese classic folklore, Magical Monkey King: Mischief in Heaven. Her picture book Red Kite, Blue Kite, illustrated by Greg Ruth, won an Asian/Pacific-American Award for Literature from the ALA. When she isn't writing or speaking, Ji-li devotes time to various cultural exchange programs, including leading group trips to China. She believes that a better understanding among people around the world is the only route to global peace. Ji-li lives in San Francisco, California. Julie Downing (www.juliedowning.com) is an internationally published author and illustrator with over forty children's books to her credit. She is known for her innovative approach to illustrating traditional stories and has won many awards, including a Parent's Choice Award and the New York Public Library's Best Books Award. Julie lives in San Francisco, California. Read more