Pistes d'exploration

Before reading, talk about World War II, Hiroshima and the atomic bomb.

Discuss how making the origami cranes helped Sadako. What were Kenji’s beliefs about dying? What are some of the customs about death that were observed? Why was Sadako seen as a heroine in Japan?

Research the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony in Japan. How is it celebrated? Share your findings with the class.

Before reading, talk about World War II, Hiroshima and the atomic bomb.

Discuss what happened to many children in Hiroshima after the atomic bomb was dropped. What are some Japanese customs about death and dying? Why is Sadako a heroine? Where are there wars in the world today? How do civilians suffer when their country is at war?

Create a peace display for your classroom or school. Include origami figures and peace slogans. 

Before reading, talk about World War II, Hiroshima and the atomic bomb.

What are some of the customs associated with death that are presented in this book?

Why is Sadako a heroine? Do you know of any other war heroes?

How important is it to remember the stories of war heroes? Answer in your response journal.

Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People, and War

Mots-clés

Picture book , cancer , goals , hope , origami , peace , Sadako Sasaki , war , World War II

Commentaire descriptif

Told from a Japanese perspective, this book is based on the true story of a brave 12-year-old girl from post-war Hiroshima who becomes seriously ill with leukemia, the “atom bomb disease.” Sadako is a star athlete on the school running team until dizzy spells plunge her into a fight for her life and she courageously embarks on a project to fold a thousand paper cranes which, legend maintains, will cure her. When she dies, 356 cranes short of her target, Sadako’s classmates and friends work together to make up the difference so she can be buried with a full one thousand origami birds. Impressionistic pastel illustrations depict the wide-ranging emotions of Sadako and her family as they come to grips with the tragedy of her illness, and delicately bring to life some of the cultural details mentioned in the text—a silk kimono, origami cranes, Peace Day ceremonies—in this sensitive account that puts a human face on a dark moment in history. It could readily be tied to a social studies lesson on Japan or the aftermath of war, or perhaps launch an origami art project.