Shy Lissy feels alone with no friends at her new school. By herself at lunch, she transforms the red menu into an origami paper crane that, in her imagination, comes to life. Encouraged by her solution to her loneliness, Lissy continues to fold and bend paper each day, creating a menagerie of origami animals to keep her company. But her paper friends are too light for a strong wind at the playground, and in the blustery weather are carried away through the air. Only the crane remains, rescued by another little girl who returns it to Lissy and initiates a new friendship. Soon Lissy’s circle of friends expands as she provides origami instruction in exchange for camaraderie. Set against a background of origami design papers, Lin’s bright colorful paintings of an Asian girl amid a diverse group of children bring out the typical theme of friendship juxtaposed with the symbolism of the paper crane representing peace and happiness. A quiet, tender story of one child’s coping strategy with a successful and creative outcome. Instructions for origami paper crane appended. (Picture book. 4-6)
