The Crane Girl
Written & Illustrated by Veronika Martenova Charles

It was exciting when the new baby arrived. He was tiny and soft and smelled like morning after the rain. His name was Katsumi and everybody loved him. But now there were fewer walks with mother. And now father had less time to play. Yoshiko was afraid she wasn't special any more. She was sure her parents wouldn't even notice if she went away.

After she feels rejected by her parents, Yoshiko begs the cranes to transform her into one of them so she can fly away.

• Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrators Award, Finalist, 1993
• Children's Books of the Year, Bank Street College, New York City, 1994

Vancouver Sun
"One of the most haunting storybooks I've seen ... This is a beautiful book."

Calgary Herald
"Elegant and evocative... unusual picture book ... An original and thoughtful treatment of a universal theme."

The Toronto Star
" ... a striking picture book ... poignant and lovingly illustrated story ... "

Canadian Materials
"A sensitively written and beautifully illustrated book... Both the diction and the style make this an appealing and understandable book ... The story is told from a young child's perspective without any condescension ... highly recommended ... An excellent choice on the topic of sibling rivalry."

Observer (Sarnia)
"In lovely illustrations depicting family life in Japan, every boy and girl will recognize the feelings of jealousy and the need to be special in this story."

Thompson News Service
"'The Crane Girl'... is simply perfect..."

Publishers Weekly
"In an often poetic reworking of a familiar theme, Charles invests her tale with poignance and a timeless universality... meticulous brush strokes suggesting woven textures, aptly convey both a sprawling Oriental landscape and the closeness of family... a handsomely produced version of a durable tale."

Booklist
"... a 'new baby' story with a difference...this tale takes a step beyond the familiar, into the realm of fantasy..."