Fold simple origami projects and learn about Asian culture with this step-by-step easy origami book.Origami, the Japanese art of folding paper, is not just a great craft activity-it’s an exciting way to expand your imagination. Children will have many hours of fun folding the simple origami projects in this book and learning about the surprising art of paper folding. This book has been revised and reformatted and is geared specifically to 8-12 year olds as an introduction to Japanese culture and crafts.What makes this book original is that each paper model explores a different aspect of Asian culture and includes an explanation of the cultural context for the project. The designs are all very straightforward and are great fun for beginning folders. Origami projects include: Lotus Flower Japanese Fan Chopstick Wrapper Dollar-Bill Dragon Chinese Zodiac Traditional Crane Japanese Daruma Doll And many more…Learning how to fold two-dimensional paper squares into three-dimensional objects is not only fun but helps develop hand-eye coordination and spatial skills by engaging a child’s whole brain. Each paper model explores an important aspects of Asian culture-creating an appreciation and awareness of cultural differences in children.

Review in School Library Journal:

Paper-folding artist LaFosse has over 40 years of origami experience and dozens of books to his credit. A two-page introduction, resources, tips on papers, common origami symbols (rotate, push), and notes on folding techniques set the stage. Beginning folders will be frustrated if they skip straight to the patterns. The symbol for repeat is not defined but can be intuited from the illustrations. Projects include traditional designs, and original designs by LaFosse and others. Difficulty ranges from relatively simple (chopsticks holder, fan) to challenging (frog, cardinal). The clear instructions require close attention, especially from novice folders. The book includes eight sheets of colorful origami paper and opens flat; ideal for following project notes without flipping pages. Each design includes notes about the cultural background and significance of the creation.VERDICT: True beginners will likely need help from adults or online videos. Consider as a bright addition to social studies or math classes or makerspaces if additional origami paper is available, and there is a foundation of interest in paper folding.
School Library Journal