What do you think?
Rate this book
Paper Lanterns
Little Mouse loves paper lanterns with their impossible delicate beauty, and the way Old Chen's hands seem to effortlessly cut, paste, and paint his masterful creations. Little Mouse watches and learns until, when Old Chen can no longer make the lanterns, he finds his inner strength and his hidden talent. But more important than Little Mouse's achievement is the bond of friendship between him and Old Chen. The traditions of a culture and the magic of an art form are carefully preserved as they are passed from one generation to the next.
Exquisite, bright illustrations, as delicately rendered as the Chinese paper lanterns themselves, draw readers of all ages into this simple story of the power of friendship, patience, and perseverance.
Exquisite, bright illustrations, as delicately rendered as the Chinese paper lanterns themselves, draw readers of all ages into this simple story of the power of friendship, patience, and perseverance.
- GenresChildrensPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2001
2 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 18, 2018
Reading Level= 4.8
Guided Reading Level= 4.2
This story is about a young boy who wants to craft paper lanterns as well as Old Chen. Little Mouse works hard to learn the skills necessary for crafting paper lanterns, and eventually takes over for Old Chen.
This is a multicultural book, as it shares a story of a boy who desires to become an expert paper lantern maker in China.
Writing Trait:
Organization- The author uses organization throughout the story in order to enhance the meaning of the story. The author uses a hook, the awe of a young boy who sees an expert lantern maker, in order to draw readers into a topic that is most likely foreign to them. The sequence of events is clear: Little Mouse sees Old Chen's talents in making paper lanterns, Little Mouse desires to learn the process of making paper lanterns so he begins menial tasks in the shop, Old Chen starts taking Little Mouse under his wing, Old Chen becomes unable to craft, and Little Mouse becomes the new master lantern maker. The story ends with a sense of resolution because all of Little Mouse's hard work paid off and he was able to carry on Old Chen's legacy.
Classroom Integration/Mentor Text:
This text would be a great fit for a 5th grade multicultural unit on China. As a class, this book should be read and analyzed. The class should take one day to focus on the message of the book and one day to focus on the pictures and how they represent Chinese culture. The students can end the unit by trying to craft their own paper lanterns as a representation of their new knowledge of China.
Guided Reading Level= 4.2
This story is about a young boy who wants to craft paper lanterns as well as Old Chen. Little Mouse works hard to learn the skills necessary for crafting paper lanterns, and eventually takes over for Old Chen.
This is a multicultural book, as it shares a story of a boy who desires to become an expert paper lantern maker in China.
Writing Trait:
Organization- The author uses organization throughout the story in order to enhance the meaning of the story. The author uses a hook, the awe of a young boy who sees an expert lantern maker, in order to draw readers into a topic that is most likely foreign to them. The sequence of events is clear: Little Mouse sees Old Chen's talents in making paper lanterns, Little Mouse desires to learn the process of making paper lanterns so he begins menial tasks in the shop, Old Chen starts taking Little Mouse under his wing, Old Chen becomes unable to craft, and Little Mouse becomes the new master lantern maker. The story ends with a sense of resolution because all of Little Mouse's hard work paid off and he was able to carry on Old Chen's legacy.
Classroom Integration/Mentor Text:
This text would be a great fit for a 5th grade multicultural unit on China. As a class, this book should be read and analyzed. The class should take one day to focus on the message of the book and one day to focus on the pictures and how they represent Chinese culture. The students can end the unit by trying to craft their own paper lanterns as a representation of their new knowledge of China.
November 9, 2009
K-4th Grade
Stephan Czernecki’s illustrations in this book about a Chinese lantern maker that finds a suitable apprentice in “Little Mouse”, the young man that is hired to clean up his shop, are bold and beautiful. He uses bright colors in gouache that incorporates Chinese characters and reproductions of authentic lanterns to tell this story. He also used text that gives the book an Asian look with many of the text pages bordered again giving the impression that the illustrator was Chinese. The story teaches that with patience, talent, and a lot of practice beautiful works of art can be created. The story also reflects that one should try to find their own calling in life, to do what they were meant to do. The color and shapes in this book allows it to keep the younger readers interested and the story will allow this book to be used with older students also.
Art/Social Studies
A lesson in origami can be developed for an art class. In social studies this book can be used when discussing Asian cultures and the importance that is placed on Art in societies.
Stephan Czernecki’s illustrations in this book about a Chinese lantern maker that finds a suitable apprentice in “Little Mouse”, the young man that is hired to clean up his shop, are bold and beautiful. He uses bright colors in gouache that incorporates Chinese characters and reproductions of authentic lanterns to tell this story. He also used text that gives the book an Asian look with many of the text pages bordered again giving the impression that the illustrator was Chinese. The story teaches that with patience, talent, and a lot of practice beautiful works of art can be created. The story also reflects that one should try to find their own calling in life, to do what they were meant to do. The color and shapes in this book allows it to keep the younger readers interested and the story will allow this book to be used with older students also.
Art/Social Studies
A lesson in origami can be developed for an art class. In social studies this book can be used when discussing Asian cultures and the importance that is placed on Art in societies.
January 7, 2012
Little Mouse is observant, patient, and hard-working. He is fascinated by Old Chen and his masterful way with lanterns. The other apprentices are only focused on their one job. But, when Old Chen's hands have lost their magic, Little Mouse must take over. His persistence and focus have paid off. And, he creates beautiful Paper Lanterns, beautiful to please Old Chen!
February 2, 2012
The students seemed engaged when I read this book - the pictures are very colorful.
July 3, 2013
You thought the dragon lantern was WAY cool.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews