As I read this story I could not help but compare this book's legendary hero, Ishikawa, to the European Robin Hood. A thief who steals to feed the poor, keeping for himself only enough to sustain his family, Ishikawa is a Japanese historical character that lived in the late 1600's or early 1700's (author's note). The Dragon Kite details his plan to steal the golden dolphin from the roof of the castle. Suspense builds as the thief spends a four-year apprenticeship with a wise kite maker before he is ready to build his dragon kite and execute his plan. This is Nancy Luenn's second book, the first being The Ugly Princess. (book jacket). The story itself is captivating as patient wisdom combines with cunning to form the perfect crime. "Luenn's version of a Japanese folktale hums with suspense...Hague's soaring, beautiful paintings animate the story..."(Publishers Weekly as quoted on Amazon.com). Both author and illustrator have formal art training and their combined sense of style creates a masterpiece the reader will not soon forget. Peppered with mysticism, and timeless wisdom, the pages of this book will force you to linger longer in attempts to absorb its intellectual jewels and visual splendor. As the kite maker Katsuda instructs on page 8, "The winds bring the kite alive and the reins keep it tied to the earth." You will be swept up in the mysticism of this tale and blessed by its accessible truths.

This coming together of a writer's story & the visions of an illustrator is perfect. A simple tale of sorrow, change, love & healing. There are skills & ideas tucked away inside this gift: of a child's grief over the death of her grandmother & of the everyday things they did together & how her people celebrate their loved ones memories with gifts & prayers.

A Gift for Abuelita/Un regalo para Abuelita is a treasure to be read again & again not just for the story. It is rich in detailed illustrations & the marriage of two languages telling the same story is a fine addition. For my full review do check out: [my website]

A Horse's Tale is a collection of ten short stories that have a number of common themes. It is about a wooden toy horse that gets passed around to a different child living in Washington State each decade. The horse is carved by a Native American Uncle who gives it to his niece as she is leaving her home to attend a mission boarding school in the late 1800's. In each subsequent chapter, ten years pass and the horse has found itself in the arms of a different child.

The children in each chapter are from diverse cultural backgrounds. The horse is passed to an African American boy living in Roslyn, a Japanese girl living in an internment camp in Puyallup, a Laotian girl living in Seattle and six others. Each decade illustrates the challenges that the minority culture is facing at that particular time in history.

100 years pass as the reader learns about the history and culture of Washington State through the experiences of the children living there.

I have used this book in my 4th grade classrooms as an overview of the different cultures, experiences, and history of our state. It is a wonderful introduction to the geography of our state, giving us something to which we refer back as we study maps of our area.

My six-year old daughter recently became very interested in Native American folklore in the past couple of months. We checked this book out at the library and are now buying it for our collection. Very well-written and illustrated. A must for anyone interested in Pacific Northwest lore....

Beautifully written and illustrated. I'd recommend it to ppl of all ages.

This book is beautiful and totally engaging. It's pure pleasure to read the economic and poetic prose. My 15 month child adores it, too. It's one of those books that does not become a drag to read for the umpteenth time. I highly, highly (!) recommend this book!