Under the Cherry Blossom Tree: An Old Japanese Tale [Hardcover]

Allen Say (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 4, 1997 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Spring had finally come and everyone in the village was happy, despite being poor - everyone except the miserly landlord. Mumbling and grumbling, he sat all alone eating a bowl of cherries and glaring as the villagers sang and danced in the meadow. Then, quite by accident, he swallowed a cherry pit. The pit began to sprout. Soon the landlord was the wonder of the village - a cherry tree was growing on top of his head! What happened to the cherry tree and to the wicked landlord is a favorite joke in Japan. Allen Say tells the story with wit and vitality, and his beautiful drawings complement this classic Japanese tale.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Allen Say retells a classic makura -- a short story told in Japanese joke houses to warm up the audience -- with the sharpness, vigor and timing of a stand-up comic." Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1937. He dreamed of becoming a cartoonist from the age of six, and, at age twelve, apprenticed himself to his favorite cartoonist, Noro Shinpei. For the next four years, Say learned to draw and paint under the direction of Noro, who has remained Say's mentor. Say illustrated his first children's book -- published in 1972 -- in a photo studio between shooting assignments. For years, Say continued writing and illustrating children's books on a part-time basis. But in 1987, while illustrating THE BOY OF THE THREE-YEAR NAP (Caldecott Honor Medal), he recaptured the joy he had known as a boy working in his master's studio. It was then that Say decided to make a full commitment to doing what he loves best: writing and illustrating children's books. Since then, he has written and illustrated many books, including TREE OF CRANES and GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY, winner of the 1994 Caldecott Medal. He is a full-time writer and illustrator living in Portland,

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (April 4, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395845467
• ISBN-13: 978-0395845462
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #817,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Asian

More About the Author

Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1937. He dreamed of becoming a cartoonist from the age of six, and, at age twelve, apprenticed himself to his favorite cartoonist, Noro Shinpei. For the next four years, Say learned to draw and paint under the direction of Noro, who has remained Say's mentor. Say illustrated his first children's book -- published in 1972 -- in a photo studio between shooting assignments. For years, Say continued writing and illustrating children's books on a part-time basis. But in 1987, while illustrating THE BOY OF THE THREE-YEAR NAP (Caldecott Honor Medal), he recaptured the joy he had known as a boy working in his master's studio. It was then that Say decided to make a full commitment to doing what he loves best: writing and illustrating children's books. Since then, he has written and illustrated many books, including TREE OF CRANES and GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY, winner of the 1994 Caldecott Medal. He is a full-time writer and illustrator living in Portland, Oregon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My daughter and I love this book., August 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Under the Cherry Blossom Tree: An Old Japanese Tale (Hardcover)

My three-year-old daughter and I happened across Under the Cherry Blossom Tree by Allen Say at our local library. It was different from any other kids' book we had read--strange, funny, and maybe a little disturbing. (Face it. We're talking about an old man with a tree growing out of his head.) But because of the humor, the beautiful illustration, and the poetically just ending, it soon became our favorite.

One problem was that the library wanted it back. The other problem was that it was out of print.

You won't know just how happy I was to find that Under the Cherry Blossom Tree had been re-printed until you read this book for yourself.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for children, February 14, 2008

By 

Janet Means "Storyteller" (Phoenix AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under the Cherry Blossom Tree: An Old Japanese Tale (Paperback)

I stumbled across this book because I have fallen in love with Allen Say's illustrations. It is a wonderful, funny, old Japanese story retold by Say. The illustrations are as funny as the story and really add to the experience. This is a delightful story to tell or to read aloud for listeners of any age. I bought a copy for myself, one for my cousin and next time I buy some books for my grandchildren I'll buy one for them too.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT BOOK, January 30, 2010

By 

Arlene J. Hadley (New Port Richey, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Under the Cherry Blossom Tree: An Old Japanese Tale (Paperback)

Charming story, suitable for all ages and short enough to maintain full attention of all readers