Little Oh by Laura Krauss Melmed

Little Oh Reviews

• 
  Abigail

  Author Laura Krauss Melmed and illustrator Jim LaMarche, who previously collaborated on that marvelous original fairy-tale,
  The Rainbabies, return to the form in this lovely volume. When a lonely woman creates an origami girl, she finds that her creation has come to life, and that Little Oh, as she is called, has soon become a real child to her. But although the woman attempts to keep her fragile daughter safe, Little Oh becomes lost during a trip to the market, and must make her way in a wide and dangerous world. Surviving a trip downriver in a teacup, and a ride on a white crane, Little Oh eventually comes to rest in the garden of a father and son who very much need a wife and mother, not to mention a daughter and sister...
  
  The story in Little Oh put me in mind of any number of folk and fairy-tales featuring miniature people, particularly Hans Christian Andersen's
  Thumbelina, and the English story of
  Tom Thumb. The cultural setting here is Japanese, and the author and illustrator thank one Junko Yokota for her consultation, at the back of the book. I found Melmed's story itself quite entertaining, and think that children who enjoy stories of adventure and magic will be likewise engrossed. The accompanying artwork from LaMarche is just gorgeous, as always, capturing the beauty of the world around Little Oh, and the changing emotional state of the humans she encounters. Recommended to fairy-tale lovers, and to fellow Jim LaMarche fans.
• 
  Amy Layton

  What a beautiful story!  Told as a story within a story, Little Oh follows the miraculous creation of an origami girl who comes to life.  Its emotional and enchanting narrative goes hand in hand with those realistic and detailed illustrations--and such realistic illustrations begs the question: could this have really happened?  It's a nice, calm story, perfect for the child who loves fairy tales and magical realism.  Great for grades 2-4.
  
  Review cross-listed
  here!
• 
  Colin

  A delightful story set in Japan of a little origami doll who somehow comes to life ("Little Oh") and has adventures.
• 
  Anthony

  The touching fairy-tale of a little origami girl, who gets lost, and goes on a fantastic adventure and when she returns home links two families to become one.
• 
  Nancy

  Published: 1997, HarperCollins
  Age: 5-9
  This is a fantasy story about an origami girl who comes to life. She wants to experience the world but her "mother" does not want her to go out because it would be dangerous for such a small paper doll. Her "mother" finally agrees to take her out and hides her in a basket but she gets lost and must find her way home. She has many adventures while finding her way home and there is a happily ever after magical surprise in the end. The beautiful painted illustrations show characters in action or in detailed close ups that reveal a very familiar face. The kimono clothing and background such as cranes and gardens show authentic Japanese details that add to the text. The story would be a fun introduction to an origami project.
• 
  Elnara Browers

  Summary:
  A woman creates an origami girl who gets lots but in the end finds her way back home.
  Genre: Fiction
  mentor writing trait(s):
  Sentence fluency (patterns to the sentence, alternating between narrator and characters), organization (tuning point, culmination, high point at the very end of the story), voice (narrator, main character).
  Identify specific concepts that could be integrated into the classroom.
  Topic on multicultural families, blended families, Japanese culture, adoption, step-siblings, single parenthood.
  Provide any other suggestions that would be useful regarding literary content, reading level, and other ways in which the book might be integrated:
  Lower grades, level 4.3
• 
  Kewpie

  The story is similar to Tom Thumb, Thumbelina and Pinochio. A woman creates and paints a handmade paper doll. She stares at it, wishing she had a daughter of her own. Suddenly the little doll comes to life. She is named Oh because that is what the woman exclaimed when she realized the doll was alive. Because she is made of paper, she gets blown away by the wind and has a terrifying (for her) adventure.
• 
  Cali

  Another "O" book for Collin's learning time, and we loved it. It is a story of a little paper doll who comes to life. She becomes separated from her mother at the market and has a wonderful adventure. In the end she is reunited with her mother and becomes a real girl. Beautifully written, you could imagine the book without the illustrations--but the illustrations are beautiful. I would buy this book.
• 
  Stephanie H

  Checked this out from the library but will have to get for youngest daughter's collection. Similarly themed to Rainbabies. Runs along the lines of Thumbelina and The Paper Princess. Illustrations are beautiful and we enjoyed this "new" fairy take with a Japanese setting. This book will be at home on our shelves. I checked it out for a unit on Japan but it would work well in a unit on fairy tales and a more specific unit on Origami. (read along side The Paper Crane)
• 
  Marsha

  With delicate and colorful illustrations, this story is like an Asian version of
  Pinocchio. It’s a darling short story about an bold and unafraid piece of paper and the loving woman whom she calls “mother”. The good deed Little Oh performs is unexpected and has startling results. This is a very fetching picture book, perfect for reading aloud to children.
• 
  Isabel

  This is a very sweet story with lovely illustrations. It's a strange mix of the gingerbread man, Thumbelina and something new I've never seen in a children's book. I guess I'd call it magical realism for children. I also enjoyed the bits of Japanese culture that come through in the story.
• 
  Sydneia

  I absolutely loved this story about a little origami doll who becomes a daughter to her lonely creator. It is beautifully written and illustrated and filled with love. I would recommend this book for children 8-10.
• 
  Ray

  An Asian twist on Pinocchio. It's about a little paper origami girl that gets swept away into an adventure as she tries to find her way back home. Pictures are beautiful life-like paintings. A heart touching story that unites a family together.
• 
  Catherine

  I think it's important to have books on culture in your book collection. This is a great creative story on a little Japanese paper doll.
• 
  M

  Cute story.
• 
  Christy

  Mackenzie loved this book.
• 
  Teri

  This is such a GREAT story with beautiful illustrations! Really nice supplement to Japanese culture with origami. We LOVED this book!
• 
  Denicemarcell

  very sweet
• 
  Mckinley

  Creative tale. Possibly use as adoption/addition to family.
• 
  Kevin

  This story is awesome. Cannot wait to read it to the kids. This would be great to add a lesson on origami.
• 
  Kami

  I liked the story, and the pictures were good. Definitely worth checking out from your local library, but not purchase worthy.
• 
  Kendra

  An origami girl becomes real. (Similar to Tsubu the Little Snail but more heartwarming and MUCH better.)
• 
  Jenny Forgay

  A good book to add to your collection. This would work great when working on different cultures.