The Old Man Who Made Cherry Trees Blossom
A Japanese folktale about kindness that comes back around
About this book
Long ago in a quiet village, a kind old man rescues a frightened puppy and names him Pochi. The two share a warm life together, and when Pochi leads the old man to a surprise in the mountains, kindness starts to work wonders. Even a jealous neighbor cannot stop good deeds from blossoming into something beautiful.
Book details
| Book type | Read Along Book – Narrated in a real human voice with word-by-word highlighting and static pictures. |
|---|---|
| Author | Smart Kidz Club |
| Ages | 7 to 9 years, also 5 to 7 years |
| Grade | Grade 3 |
| Reading level | Level 3, Intermediate Readers |
| Length | 13 pages, 575 words, 6 minutes |
| Categories | Folktales, Story Time, Character Education, Dialogic Reading |
| Interactive features | Image Sequencing activity |
| Language | English |
Where you can read this book
Reading and Math app: Read it here, plus Image Sequencing activity in the Reading and Math app.
Get the Reading and Math AppRead Along App: Read along narration with word by word highlighting.
Get the Read Along AppQuizzes and activities live in the Reading and Math app only. They are not part of the Read Along App.
Why read The Old Man Who Made Cherry Trees Blossom with your child
Read this folktale together and talk about what kindness looks like in action. The old man shares what he has, helps a frightened puppy, and stays kind even when his neighbor is greedy and unkind. Ask your child what they would do if someone needed help, and why being kind feels good even when nobody pays you back. The story gives families a gentle way to talk about generosity, patience, and how good deeds can travel further than we expect.
Talk about it together
- What does it mean to be kind to someone who needs help?
- Why do you think the old man stayed kind even when his neighbor was greedy?
- How can a small kind act grow into something bigger?
Inside the book
This classic Japanese folktale is about a kind old man, his wife, and the little dog they rescue and love. It is a story about generosity: the old man shares what he has and stays kind, even when his neighbor is greedy. Children gain a feel for why kindness matters, and how good deeds can grow into something bigger than anyone expects.
Read it together and watch for the moments when kindness is repaid in surprising ways. The story leaves families with a warm thought about how kindness grows.
From the book: “Oh, Pochi! What a wonderful dog you are!”
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Frequently asked questions
What ages is this book for?
This book suits ages 7 to 9 years, also 5 to 7 years.
Is this book narrated?
Yes. It is a read along book, so a real human voice reads the story while words are highlighted one by one on screen.
Which apps carry this book?
Both the Reading and Math app and the Read Along App. The Image Sequencing activity is a Reading and Math app feature. This book has no quiz.
How long is the book?
Thirteen pages, 575 words, about 6 minutes of reading time.
Is this a Japanese folktale?
Yes. It is a classic Japanese folktale about a kind old man and his dog, Pochi.
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