The Magic Fan [Hardcover]

Keith Baker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1989 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

When Yoshi, a remarkable young Japanese builder, runs out of ideas, a magic fan inspires him with new projects. It is only after losing the fan that Yoshi discovers he can depend on his own imagination after all. "Fan-shaped cutout pages are splendid enhancements to this well-designed, stylish tale."--Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Yoshi, an imaginative young Japanese carpenter, builds and builds--everything he can think of, everything the townspeople need--until one day he runs out of ideas. The boy finds a magic fan floating in the sea that guides his creative impulses; it inspires him to build first a boat, then a giant kite and, finally, a bridge from one side of the village to the other. Everyone scoffs at Yoshi and his crazy ideas, until a tidal wave forces them onto the boy's bridge and they are saved from destruction. As the fan disappears in the storm Yoshi thinks he is lost, until he realizes the fan merely enabled him to have confidence in the talents he already possessed. Fan-shaped cut-out pages are splendid enhancements to this well-designed, stylish tale, though the theme is a familiar one. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- In this contemporary folktale set in ancient Japan, Baker tells the story of young Yoshi, a master builder who makes things for his village. Looking for a new challenge, he finds a fan which provides him with his inspiration by way of a new illustration whenever he opens it--a sailboat, a giant kite, and an enormous bridge. The villagers are confused and displeased with his new creations until the bridge saves the community during a devastating earthquake resulting in a tsunami or tidal wave. The magic fan is lost, but Yoshi realizes that the magic was his own and convinces the people to rebuild their village. The story is enchanting, but it is the illustrations that are sheer magic. Rich acrylic golds, greens, and reds predominate--all with a chalklike softness to them. The illustrations are executed in a semicircle, forming a scene on the fan with half-pages opening to reveal new ones. The paintings are deceptively simple, revealing complicated perspective and depth on closer inspection. Story, illustration, and format are marvelously united to give maximum enjoyment to readers and listeners. --Regina Pauly, Free Library of Philadelphia
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; First Edition edition (October 15, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152507507
• ISBN-13: 978-0152507503
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 11.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #706,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

KEITH BAKER is the author-illustrator of many beloved picture books, including Little Green, Hide and Snake, and Quack and Count. He lives in Seattle, Washington.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My first grader checked it out from the library six times!, October 26, 1999

By 

Margaret Schneider "Pro Web Head" (South Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Magic Fan (Paperback)

This is a wonderful and captivating book that my first grade son loves so much. After he checked it out from his school library for the sixth time (and I read it to him countless nights) we have bought it as a Christmas gift for him.

He loves the way the message from the fan is revealed. He also appreciates learning about another culture and a boy who does so much.

It is one of the most beautifully illustrated children's books I have ever seen.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Magic Fan, May 18, 2002

By 

lynne Cox (Belhaven, nc United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magic Fan (School & Library Binding)

This beautifully illustrated Japanese fable by Keith Baker has long been one of my favorite children's books. I am a music teacher of young children and at the end of their first grade classes with me, we turn "The Magic Fan" into a musical movie, complete with costumes, children playing instruments copying Japanese instruments, dancing girls, script, Yoshi, singing of "Sakura" (a Japanese folksong) and even the great tsunami. I have written to Keith Baker many times telling him how great this book is and how much not only my students love it, but how much they learn from it. I believe they could help Mr. Baker write a sequel to this.
Lynne Cox

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Second Generation, December 11, 2000

By 

Lauren A Goddard (Pompton Lakes, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magic Fan (Hardcover)

When my youngest child, now 15, was in kindergarten, I read him this wonderful book. Each year after that he took this book out of the school library the as soon as he could. He enjoyed the story, pictures and learning about another culture. Now I am buying this book for my grandson so he can enjoy this book also. My son can't wait to read it to his nephew.