Totto-chan, The Little Girl at the Window

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UT9fUjbSNbfdxnKlZ6HmuWueHEXkef8gPCwBNqfF2fBg1R_ToOAw4GJK8jFQlf11Y_LQ1DQE1uo5k7hC6nJTPpc-42ynocb2abAbIvDaRUYn7tUhKbRSR12ETh_oZUkiNgLMkLwQMfs/s1600/totto-chan-100058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UT9fUjbSNbfdxnKlZ6HmuWueHEXkef8gPCwBNqfF2fBg1R_ToOAw4GJK8jFQlf11Y_LQ1DQE1uo5k7hC6nJTPpc-42ynocb2abAbIvDaRUYn7tUhKbRSR12ETh_oZUkiNgLMkLwQMfs/s1600/totto-chan-100058.jpg" width="190" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Totto-chan, The Little Girl at the Window is a celebration of childhood, learning and caring. Each story is only a page or two, each a delightful narrative of how Totto-chan views the world, and how Mr. Kuroyanagi inspires the children to explore, learn, feel and have joy. There are several charcoal drawings that capture the tenderness of the stories, making us feel a part of Totto-chan's world. </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> One of our favorite vignettes is the story of her losing her hat in the septic tank at the school, and proceeds to dig it out. The headmaster walks by, and after a few questions to satisfy his curiosity, and hearing her earnest explanations, he lets her continue with the simple instruction, "make sure you put it all back!" </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> We've enjoyed reading one or two stories for bedtime off-and-on for a couple of years, and almost don't want to finish the book because it will mean there are no more stories. Totto-chan seems so real and loveable, and her headmaster is a role model for parents and teachers. </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> It is probably one of the most important books I've ever read. Not for its heady philosophy, practical instructions, or memorable quotes; but for its simple message of how wonderful life can be when viewed through the eyes of an innocent child.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun;"><a href="http://www.learningfamily.com/library/700/711-4770020678.htm">http://www.learningfamily.com/library/700/711-4770020678.htm</a></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> Totto-chan The Little Girl at the Window by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, Translated by Dorothy Britton</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> illustrated by Chihiro Iwasaki Kodansha, 208 pgs.</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> ISBN 4770020678 </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> Reviewed by Robert Reiser </div> </div>

Totto-chan, The Little Girl at the Window

Totto-chan, The Little Girl at the Window is a celebration of childhood, learning and caring. Each story is only a page or two, each a d...

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