Spread Your Wings and Fly: An Origami Fold-And-Tell

The art of Japanese paper folding is called Origami. It is an ancient art, a discipline that has entertained and amazed both children and adults alike.I learned to fold the Origami paper crane when I was a teenager. It is something I have remembered all my life, and I have always enjoyed showing someone how to make one, or taken delight in seeing the happiness in a child's eyes as the piece of paper turned into a graceful bird.Spread Your Wings and Fly is a positive affirmation book that you read as you learn to fold your paper crane. The beginning of the book discusses how the author learned to fold the crane and there is even a little history of the art of origami. She also discusses how to use the book and achieving the end result, a flapping version of the paper crane.But it was getting into the story, into the folding of the crane that really grabbed me. The crane can be a difficult feat if not shown by someone who can patiently teach the art. Ms. Saunders has the pictures of folding the crane broken down into the easiest and most basic way of folding. I followed through, page by page, fold by fold, and while it is a little different than the way I was taught, I had no problem following and achieving a proper and working crane.Then I went back and read the story. Each fold has a purpose in making the final product. Each time you fold, you are presented with a fold that life can offer you. Sometimes the fold can resemble the shape the paper has taken, sometimes there is a ripple in the fold. While a fold can remind you of a mountain, the mountain can be a big dream or it can be a small one. As you flatten the mountain out, you are reminded that dreams can be squashed also. Wonderful visuals to accompany the process of making the crane, to discovering the folds in your own life, and finally flying free with the finished crane, no matter how life folds for you. This is beautifully written, well explained, and to top it all off, there are the excellent illustrations, quality print on glossy paper, all of which only compliments the entire work. Together, Ms. Saunders and Ms. Mihelich have given us a book that will provide parents and children with some quality time and some insightful mini-meditations for both of them. Or, if used by a child alone, it is time this child will spend exploring him/her self.

Spread Your Wings and Fly is a wise and enchanting book, using the ancient art of origami to teach us about ourselves. By following the simple instructions for folding a flapping bird, children are gratified and delighted to learn that they have the ability to create such a wonderful creature and are wonderful themselves.Mary Saunders uses the process of folding a flapping bird as a metaphor for the unfolding of life's journey and as a symbol of the unlimited possibilities in each of us. She continues the metaphor poetically in the directions for creating the flapping bird. "Think of two of your good points and bring them together" is the eloquent instruction to fold the paper in half. The book is beautifully illustrated by Carla Mihelich. The diagrams clearly explain each step of the folding process. In the vibrant illustrations the bird emerges into magical, mythical landscapes and creatures guide and accompany it on its journey of becoming. As the author writes in the preface: "May you and the children in your world experience enduring moments of possibility as you fold the flapping bird and set it flying..."

Spread Your Wings and Fly integrates beautifully the story of life unfolding as well as the construction of the flapping bird. Ms. Saunder's inspiring words and the beautiful illustrations by Ms. Mihelich encourage even young listeners to keep turning the pages. The origami diagrams are easy enough to follow that my 10 year old found success immediately. Remembering the story helps keep the folding steps in order as well as giving encouragement for life through the building of this origami model. Even if you only purchase it as a beautiful book you will find it draws you in,holds your thoughts, and compels you to try the folds. Build the bird, spread your own wings, and fly!