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4.43 AVERAGE
4.43 AVERAGE
funny
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Through the eye of a child
This book is the only book that I will recommend for anyone to read and re-read all over again. From time to time, perception towards something changes us. Whenever that happened and I will re-read it again, I find myself understand the child's mind even better.
It is astonishing to realize such unique child education structure exists in Japan back in World War II. It is an impressive system to allow the child to grow without constraining their development and over conditions them.
This book allow you to walk through a journey from the eye of a child. The overview concept of education system and why each child is unique of their own.
Anyone should read this regardless if you're a new parent, an early childhood educator or someone who just enjoy having new perspective.
This book is the only book that I will recommend for anyone to read and re-read all over again. From time to time, perception towards something changes us. Whenever that happened and I will re-read it again, I find myself understand the child's mind even better.
It is astonishing to realize such unique child education structure exists in Japan back in World War II. It is an impressive system to allow the child to grow without constraining their development and over conditions them.
This book allow you to walk through a journey from the eye of a child. The overview concept of education system and why each child is unique of their own.
Anyone should read this regardless if you're a new parent, an early childhood educator or someone who just enjoy having new perspective.
What a beautiful book. As I read the story of Totto-Chan (the little girl at the window), I couldn’t help but see my daughter in this whimsical, mischievous, full-of-life and always well-intentioned girl whose passion and curiosity always seemed to get her in trouble. This book made me reflect on the role that I play as a parent in cultivating a spirit of play and adventure and the harmful ways in which I may unintentionally squelch this spirit by ruthlessly enforcing rules, norms and silly social conventions. It challenged me to think deeply about my desires for my daughter’s rearing and the role that I and educators play in her development. I want my daughter to be like Totto-Chan - full of life and curiosity, kind and considerate - and I want to be the type of influence for my daughter that the headmaster was for Totto-Chan.
This book ends on a rather sobering note as Totto-Chan’s childhood plays out in front of the background of WW2. It is a hard thing to read about a beautiful little girl, seeing your daughter in her and then realizing that you are a citizen of a country that was dropping bombs over this little girl’s head. I am not attempting to make commentary on the necessity of war or the USA’s role in WW2. I am only making an observation of the sadness of its reality and presence in highlighting the division that exists between countries when there is so much we have in common as human beings. War is a devastating part of life.
2020 Reading Challenge 2/40: “A book written by an author with an ethnicity different than your own”
This book ends on a rather sobering note as Totto-Chan’s childhood plays out in front of the background of WW2. It is a hard thing to read about a beautiful little girl, seeing your daughter in her and then realizing that you are a citizen of a country that was dropping bombs over this little girl’s head. I am not attempting to make commentary on the necessity of war or the USA’s role in WW2. I am only making an observation of the sadness of its reality and presence in highlighting the division that exists between countries when there is so much we have in common as human beings. War is a devastating part of life.
2020 Reading Challenge 2/40: “A book written by an author with an ethnicity different than your own”
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
I read this book first when I was 17 on a plane from Japan to the US. I fell in love with this easy to read book! it describes how a forward thinking and accepting teacher in an alternative school in Japan allows Totto-chan to thrive and grow. Beautiful story. It is probably the most influential book in terms of my choice to become a science educator. I read it once a year, at least.
So much love and affection for this book. :)
So much love and affection for this book. :)
When I am in the mood for a light read (especially as a palate reliever after an intense one), I tend to choose either romcoms or children's books. These aren't taxing on the brain and can be completed quickly. I expected my latest pick in this department to be exactly as such: complete quickly and forget quickly. What I never expected was this beautiful hearttouching tale!
Totto-chan is an old & supposedly popular children's book. However, to my utter embarrassment, I hadn't even heard of it till last year when someone here had posted about it. Now I regret not having read it earlier.
Totto-chan is an interesting compilation of a little girl's adventures and experiences during pre-war and wartime Japan. The short chapters cover in detail Totto-chan's years at the radical Tomoe Gakuen school in grades 1 & 2 and her personal life at the same time. (BTW, this book would make a great bedtime read-aloud companion for children: short chapters with lots of possible topics for discussion.)
Totto-chan shows how an acceptance of a little child's natural naughtiness can go on to create a positive change in the child. It also demonstrates the importance of having the right teachers and the right attitude towards children. Most importantly, it teaches the importance of listening attentively and of not labelling your children.
Some of the situations in the book made me instinctively feel that people would never behave like that in real life. So I was quite stunned to read in the epilogue that these were actual events that occurred in the author's childhood: that she was Totto-chan!
Though it is a children's story, I feel parents and teachers also have much to learn from this book. If all schools were like Tomoe Gakuen and all teachers like Mr. Kobayashi, the world would have much better and well-rounded citizens in its future. A must-read book, I say!
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Join me on the Facebook group, "Readers Forever!", for more reviews and other book-related discussions and fun.
Totto-chan is an old & supposedly popular children's book. However, to my utter embarrassment, I hadn't even heard of it till last year when someone here had posted about it. Now I regret not having read it earlier.
Totto-chan is an interesting compilation of a little girl's adventures and experiences during pre-war and wartime Japan. The short chapters cover in detail Totto-chan's years at the radical Tomoe Gakuen school in grades 1 & 2 and her personal life at the same time. (BTW, this book would make a great bedtime read-aloud companion for children: short chapters with lots of possible topics for discussion.)
Totto-chan shows how an acceptance of a little child's natural naughtiness can go on to create a positive change in the child. It also demonstrates the importance of having the right teachers and the right attitude towards children. Most importantly, it teaches the importance of listening attentively and of not labelling your children.
Some of the situations in the book made me instinctively feel that people would never behave like that in real life. So I was quite stunned to read in the epilogue that these were actual events that occurred in the author's childhood: that she was Totto-chan!
Though it is a children's story, I feel parents and teachers also have much to learn from this book. If all schools were like Tomoe Gakuen and all teachers like Mr. Kobayashi, the world would have much better and well-rounded citizens in its future. A must-read book, I say!
*********************************************
Join me on the Facebook group, "Readers Forever!", for more reviews and other book-related discussions and fun.
For an indictment of modern/traditional education methods, this is certainly the most entertaining and heartwarming. All the more so because it's biographical. As a parent, I have to admit, some of Totto-Chan's antics made me cringe (see jumping into a cesspool), but I also have to admit, her mother's rational, sensitive and calm approach is way better than freaking out or even a mild admonishment. It not only reminds you to allow children more freedom in their education and to take a more flexible approach to teaching, but it reminds me as a mum to try and see things the child's way and not heap my own prejudices and way of thinking on her.
3rd Reread: 16 June 2020 - 21 June 2020
One of my most beloved books of all time.
One of my most beloved books of all time.
Totto-Chan is a good breather after reading a handful of finance and self-help books.
It's a memoir of a little girl's childhood and her unique school just when World War II was about to begin. Every chapter is a short delightful snippet of her life.
I'd recommend it to anyone who works with kids, has kids, or just wants to remember what it's like to be a child.
It's a memoir of a little girl's childhood and her unique school just when World War II was about to begin. Every chapter is a short delightful snippet of her life.
I'd recommend it to anyone who works with kids, has kids, or just wants to remember what it's like to be a child.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced