Kaito's Cloth (Hardcover)

by Glenda Millard (Author), Gaye Chapman (Illustrator) "For Shannon..." (more)
Key Phrases: Mountain of Dreams, Lord of Flight

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3—An enigmatic offering. The Lord of Flight, a sort-of hummingbird/human/insect hybrid, plays God when he blows the gift of flight into the wings of the dormant butterflies that line the walls of the mountain hall in which he lives. Kaito, a poppetlike child whose dearest wish is to see her own butterflies aloft again, carries them on the three-day journey up the Mountain of Dreams to see if the Lord of Flight will grant her desire. But when she reaches her destination, she finds that she is too late—her insects have died. The Lord of Flight comforts her by saying that, while even he cannot revive them, they have "danced upon the breath of heaven and have gladdened the hearts of all who saw them." He explains that though their wings are stilled when they die, "Flight is eternal." His words inspire Kaito and she crafts a gossamer kite that will continually provide her the gift of flight, even during winter. Chapman uses pens, pigment, and stamps to create illustrations with repeated elements and rendered in pleasing complementary shades of crimson, cerulean, and yellow. Featuring the foreshadowing of Kaito's own someday-death and her perilous perching on stalagmite-like crags, they are charming and disturbing at once. Combined with the heavily symbolic text, they make for a message that flies above the heads of its audience.—Kathy Krasniewicz, Perrot Library, Old Greenwich, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description
With the winter days approaching, young Kaito journeys to the Mountain of Dreams to watch her butterflies soar one last time. However, when she reaches her destination after an arduous three-day trek, she is too late. Her butterflies have died. “Weep no more,” says the Lord of Flight, creator of all butterflies. “Only the wings are stilled. Flight is eternal.” Inspired, Kaito has an idea: She takes a silver needle and soft spider’s silk, and sews a pair of wings that take breath in the wind. With her kite, now everyone can enjoy the beauty of a butterfly’s flight all winter long.

In Kaito’s Cloth, Glenda Millard and Gaye Chapman offer an emotionally resonant and visually arresting story about the beauty of butterflies, and the resilience of the human spirit.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Philomel (March 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399247971
• ISBN-13: 978-0399247972
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #926,552 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Beautiful Picture Book, June 18, 2008

By	V. Brown (NY, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The illustrations in Kaito's Cloth are gorgeous. The story is lovely and has a subtle message. It tells of a little girl Kaito and her love for butterflies and how with some imagination and effort she can enjoy their beauty all year long - even when the winter comes and they fade away. My children (3 yo boy and 6 yo girl) love this book and will happily sit and look at the illustrations by themselves. This is a lovely gift. It is also a beautiful story for children learning about butterflies.