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4.43 AVERAGE
4.43 AVERAGE
“Having eyes, but not seeing beauty; having ears, but not hearing music; having minds, but not perceiving truth; having hearts that are never moved and therefore never set on fire. These are the things to fear, said the headmaster.”
One of my professors mentioned this to be one his all time favorite books and I decided to pick this up. This book is so beautiful that it'll make you wonder whether this is actually non-fiction. Totto-chan was expelled from first grade because she was inquisitive and not like the other kids, put into a box defining how an ideal child should be. Her mother made the best decision by sending her to Tomoe, a highly unconventional school. This book is about her childhood. She learns a lot, the way she wants to without being forced to do anything. This is truly the idea behind making learning fun. The first part of this book describes all the ways she learnt new things and it gets sadder towards the end when they start feeling the effects of WW2. The book is a window into the way children feel emotions, be it happiness or grief and the way their mind works while learning. This book is way too underrated. Give this book more hype!
One of my professors mentioned this to be one his all time favorite books and I decided to pick this up. This book is so beautiful that it'll make you wonder whether this is actually non-fiction. Totto-chan was expelled from first grade because she was inquisitive and not like the other kids, put into a box defining how an ideal child should be. Her mother made the best decision by sending her to Tomoe, a highly unconventional school. This book is about her childhood. She learns a lot, the way she wants to without being forced to do anything. This is truly the idea behind making learning fun. The first part of this book describes all the ways she learnt new things and it gets sadder towards the end when they start feeling the effects of WW2. The book is a window into the way children feel emotions, be it happiness or grief and the way their mind works while learning. This book is way too underrated. Give this book more hype!
Gak bisa berkata-kata... Ini emg genre klasik yg wajib dibaca sekali seumur hidup.
Aku kira awalnya ini fiksi, ternyata bener bener dari memori penulisnya :') pas baca sampai akhir aku kayak ngeliat sendiri anak anak Tomoe tumbuh besar, mereka semua tumbuh jd orang sukses dan bahagia, berkat kepala sekolah Sosaku Kobayashi yg sangat mengerti dan mengabdikan hidupnya pada bidang pendidikan anak.
Kalo diliat liat lagi ini jg kyk takdir ya, semua orang orang berbibit baik dipertemukan di tempat dan waktu yg tepat, di Tomoe, mereka diberi dan memberi pengaruh positif satu sama lain, jd membangun fondasi kuat dari sekolah dasar yg nantinya membentuk diri mereka pas dewasa, mirip mimpi, dan seperti mimpi, harus berakhir dgn cepat...
Kalo diliat dr keluarganya totto chan jg kyknya termasuk kelas menegah ke atas ya, orang tuanya jg suportif bgt (aplg ibunya), bener2 definisi bibit yg tumbuh bagus berkat lingkungannya.
Cerita yg mengharukan dan membahagiakan, banyak yg bisa dikupas tp aku gak tau lagi mo ngetik apa, mungkin pelajaran terbesar adalah ttg bagaimana orang dewasa sebisa mungkin memberi contoh yg baik dan selalu memupuk kepercayaan diri pd anak anak, memberi anak anak kebebasan dalam menentukan apa yg mau mereka lakukan daripada mengekang mereka pada sistem kaku yg tidak menumbuhkan sepercik kreativitas, kemampuan ekspresi diri seperti itu jauh lebih penting dan menguntungkan anak-anak dimasa depan daripada mengajarkan untuk patuh pada aturan dan sistem.
Aku bakal baca ulang lagi suatu saat krn kali ini bacanya agak kilat untuk keperluan reading challenge hehe
Aku kira awalnya ini fiksi, ternyata bener bener dari memori penulisnya :') pas baca sampai akhir aku kayak ngeliat sendiri anak anak Tomoe tumbuh besar, mereka semua tumbuh jd orang sukses dan bahagia, berkat kepala sekolah Sosaku Kobayashi yg sangat mengerti dan mengabdikan hidupnya pada bidang pendidikan anak.
Kalo diliat liat lagi ini jg kyk takdir ya, semua orang orang berbibit baik dipertemukan di tempat dan waktu yg tepat, di Tomoe, mereka diberi dan memberi pengaruh positif satu sama lain, jd membangun fondasi kuat dari sekolah dasar yg nantinya membentuk diri mereka pas dewasa, mirip mimpi, dan seperti mimpi, harus berakhir dgn cepat...
Kalo diliat dr keluarganya totto chan jg kyknya termasuk kelas menegah ke atas ya, orang tuanya jg suportif bgt (aplg ibunya), bener2 definisi bibit yg tumbuh bagus berkat lingkungannya.
Cerita yg mengharukan dan membahagiakan, banyak yg bisa dikupas tp aku gak tau lagi mo ngetik apa, mungkin pelajaran terbesar adalah ttg bagaimana orang dewasa sebisa mungkin memberi contoh yg baik dan selalu memupuk kepercayaan diri pd anak anak, memberi anak anak kebebasan dalam menentukan apa yg mau mereka lakukan daripada mengekang mereka pada sistem kaku yg tidak menumbuhkan sepercik kreativitas, kemampuan ekspresi diri seperti itu jauh lebih penting dan menguntungkan anak-anak dimasa depan daripada mengajarkan untuk patuh pada aturan dan sistem.
Aku bakal baca ulang lagi suatu saat krn kali ini bacanya agak kilat untuk keperluan reading challenge hehe
In my Childhood, I was afraid of eating fish due to fishbone. My mother had much concern for me and always warned me about the health issues of not eating fish. It took me 17 years to normalize eating fish. The first idea of the book that amazed me was "something from the hill and something from the sea" it means you have to have variety in your lunch to fulfill your nutritional needs.
The story is based truly on real-life experience. The author of this book, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, a Japanese TV personality, wrote this memoir based on her personal experience at Tomoe Gakuen Primary School.
The innocence of a little girl, someday she wants to be a ticket seller, and then she wants to be a street musician or ballerina, but she changes his mind, and now she wants to be a detective.
Being accused of being a troublemaker in the class, Totto Chan gets expelled from her school, and her mother realizes that she needs an exceptional school where more freedom of expression is permitted. Anxious mother then took her to Tomoe Gakuen, a school run by the headmaster, Soshaku Kobayashi. Soshaku Kobayashi had a different view of schooling than other contemporary educators of his time.
I am fascinated by the idea of school walks to teach children the manner of street walking and how to behave with pedestrians as well as physical exercise, the school song to make everyone excited and united, the event of summer vacation to teach them camping, making a farmer as their farming teacher. Most importantly giving them space to explore things rather than be bombarded with tons of homework. Keeping some custom-designed sports for handicapped children to allow them to win. The favorable school period system so the kids don't get bored. These rules are just simply better.
The school "Tomoe Gakuen" is an ideal example of how a children's school should be. The reading of this book was like going back to childhood and enjoying all things by myself. The postscript and epilogue will give you some practical and noteworthy insight into how we should design childrens' schools for a bigger and broader impact. No matter what generation you belong to or whatever your age is, this book will make your time worthy of spending.
The story is based truly on real-life experience. The author of this book, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, a Japanese TV personality, wrote this memoir based on her personal experience at Tomoe Gakuen Primary School.
The innocence of a little girl, someday she wants to be a ticket seller, and then she wants to be a street musician or ballerina, but she changes his mind, and now she wants to be a detective.
Being accused of being a troublemaker in the class, Totto Chan gets expelled from her school, and her mother realizes that she needs an exceptional school where more freedom of expression is permitted. Anxious mother then took her to Tomoe Gakuen, a school run by the headmaster, Soshaku Kobayashi. Soshaku Kobayashi had a different view of schooling than other contemporary educators of his time.
I am fascinated by the idea of school walks to teach children the manner of street walking and how to behave with pedestrians as well as physical exercise, the school song to make everyone excited and united, the event of summer vacation to teach them camping, making a farmer as their farming teacher. Most importantly giving them space to explore things rather than be bombarded with tons of homework. Keeping some custom-designed sports for handicapped children to allow them to win. The favorable school period system so the kids don't get bored. These rules are just simply better.
The school "Tomoe Gakuen" is an ideal example of how a children's school should be. The reading of this book was like going back to childhood and enjoying all things by myself. The postscript and epilogue will give you some practical and noteworthy insight into how we should design childrens' schools for a bigger and broader impact. No matter what generation you belong to or whatever your age is, this book will make your time worthy of spending.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Having eyes, but not seeing beauty; having ears, but not hearing music;
having minds, but not perceiving truth; having hearts that are never moved and therefore never set on fire. These are the things to fear.
Emang ya, buku kalo dibaca ulang /re-read feelsnya beda.
Pertama kali aku baca buku ini, kurang lebih 1 dekade yg lalu(?). Lupa deh, antara masih SD atau SMP.
Waktu itu asal pinjam dan baca buku punya kakak sepupu, ternyata bagus.
Dan beberapa waktu lalu, ingin sekali baca ulang buku ini. Kebetulan juga dapet kabar kalo buku ini dijadikan "anime movie". And here I am...
Dari beberapa bab di buku ini, ada beberapa part yg berkesan, membuatku tersenyum bahkan tertawa, dan juga membuat mataku basah. Secara keseluruhan, aku sangat suka dengan buku ini.
Akupun juga suka dengan cara mama Totto-Chan menghadapi, bereaksi, mendengarkan cerita atau berbicara dengannya. Termasuk para guru dan juga kepala sekolah kepada murid-murid Tamoe, yang mengajarkan banyak hal.
Ada satu momen dimana kepala sekolah memarahi salah satu wali kelas. Beliau membawa si guru ke tempat yang sepi, dan tidak seorangpun tau (kecuali 2 bocah yang diam-diam menguping). Aku bingung menjelaskan perasaan yg aku rasakan saat membaca ini, tapi rasanya aku suka banget dengan tipe pemimpin /orang yg seperti ini. Memberikan kritik dan saran, tapi tidak di depan banyak orang. Sehingga tidak membuat orang bersangkutan malu.
Lalu ada beberapa kutipan yang sangat aku garis bawahi;
"
Pertama kali aku baca buku ini, kurang lebih 1 dekade yg lalu(?). Lupa deh, antara masih SD atau SMP.
Waktu itu asal pinjam dan baca buku punya kakak sepupu, ternyata bagus.
Dan beberapa waktu lalu, ingin sekali baca ulang buku ini. Kebetulan juga dapet kabar kalo buku ini dijadikan "anime movie". And here I am...
Dari beberapa bab di buku ini, ada beberapa part yg berkesan, membuatku tersenyum bahkan tertawa, dan juga membuat mataku basah. Secara keseluruhan, aku sangat suka dengan buku ini.
Akupun juga suka dengan cara mama Totto-Chan menghadapi, bereaksi, mendengarkan cerita atau berbicara dengannya. Termasuk para guru dan juga kepala sekolah kepada murid-murid Tamoe, yang mengajarkan banyak hal.
Ada satu momen dimana kepala sekolah memarahi salah satu wali kelas. Beliau membawa si guru ke tempat yang sepi, dan tidak seorangpun tau (kecuali 2 bocah yang diam-diam menguping). Aku bingung menjelaskan perasaan yg aku rasakan saat membaca ini, tapi rasanya aku suka banget dengan tipe pemimpin /orang yg seperti ini. Memberikan kritik dan saran, tapi tidak di depan banyak orang. Sehingga tidak membuat orang bersangkutan malu.
Lalu ada beberapa kutipan yang sangat aku garis bawahi;
"
Its a simple, feel-good book that will surely soothe anyone's heart. The story, though narrated by a third person narrator, evokes the world through the eyes of an elementary school child. Though I said that the book tells a simple story yet complex life lessons are intricated so beautifully in the web of story, that never for once does it becomes preachy or overbearing. Just like the headmaster of Tomoe Gakuen, Mr. Sosaku Kobayashi, the book teaches important lessons of love, empathy and tolerance to each of its reader without making them feel inferior to anyone.
I am amazed by the beauty and simplicity of the book and of the story which it tells. In my country, where every parent is so anxious about their children winning the rat race, the real meaning and purpose of education have faded into obscurity. It felt good to read about a unique school and the zeal of its founder/principal who saw education as a means to develop each child into a better human being. Education is not meant to be a 'one-size-fits-all' approach, each child is unique and hence the education they receive must be uniquely tailored to suit their needs. It felt so good to read about a man who understood the real essence of education and was so zealously committed to his purpose.
It was so disheartening to see such a wonderful enterprise being wasted by war. Ah! The folly of war. Had the school survived, it would have benefited numerous children, especially those who are ridiculed and humiliated by the society, such as the differently abled children.
How happy and fulfilling the lives of children would be if we allow them to grow at their own pace without thrusting the pressure of winning the rat race on their small, delicate shoulders. Hardly do we care to teach the children to be kind and loving, we make them feel that the marks on their grade card is more important than being a good person. If only we had more educators like Mr. Kobayashi, the education system wouldn't be in such a dire state.
I am so glad that I came across this gem of a book and decided to give it a try. It made me laugh and cry and at times filled my heart with overwhelming inexplicable emotions. I will recommend this book to anyone who cares about children and wants to see the world once again through their imaginative and inquisitive eyes. Read it, its worth your time.
I will end my review with one of my favourite quotes from the book-
"Having eyes, but not seeing beauty; having ears, but not hearing music; having minds, but not perceiving truth; having hearts that are never moved and therefore never set on fire. These are the things to fear, said the headmaster."
I am amazed by the beauty and simplicity of the book and of the story which it tells. In my country, where every parent is so anxious about their children winning the rat race, the real meaning and purpose of education have faded into obscurity. It felt good to read about a unique school and the zeal of its founder/principal who saw education as a means to develop each child into a better human being. Education is not meant to be a 'one-size-fits-all' approach, each child is unique and hence the education they receive must be uniquely tailored to suit their needs. It felt so good to read about a man who understood the real essence of education and was so zealously committed to his purpose.
It was so disheartening to see such a wonderful enterprise being wasted by war. Ah! The folly of war. Had the school survived, it would have benefited numerous children, especially those who are ridiculed and humiliated by the society, such as the differently abled children.
How happy and fulfilling the lives of children would be if we allow them to grow at their own pace without thrusting the pressure of winning the rat race on their small, delicate shoulders. Hardly do we care to teach the children to be kind and loving, we make them feel that the marks on their grade card is more important than being a good person. If only we had more educators like Mr. Kobayashi, the education system wouldn't be in such a dire state.
I am so glad that I came across this gem of a book and decided to give it a try. It made me laugh and cry and at times filled my heart with overwhelming inexplicable emotions. I will recommend this book to anyone who cares about children and wants to see the world once again through their imaginative and inquisitive eyes. Read it, its worth your time.
I will end my review with one of my favourite quotes from the book-
"Having eyes, but not seeing beauty; having ears, but not hearing music; having minds, but not perceiving truth; having hearts that are never moved and therefore never set on fire. These are the things to fear, said the headmaster."
ছোটোবেলা থেকে শুনে আসছি বাংলাদেশের শিক্ষাব্যবস্থা ভালো না/ শিক্ষার মান ভালো না/ এখানে ভালো শিক্ষক নেই। শুনে সবসময় ভেবেছি, তাহলে আদর্শ স্কুলগুলো কেমন হয়? ওখানে আলাদা কি থাকে? ওই স্কুলগুলো চালাতে কি খুব বেশী অর্থকড়ির দরকার? এরকম অনেক অনেক প্রশ্নের জবাব পেলাম এই বইতে। পড়েছি আর অবাক হয়েছি। এও সম্ভব???
মূল কথায় আসি... ঘটনার প্রেক্ষাপট জাপানের টোকিও শহরের তোত্তো চান নামের একমেয়েকে ঘিরে। মেয়েটার বয়স মাত্র ৭ বছর। কিন্তু দেখেন কি কান্ড: এই মেয়েকে তার স্কুল থেকে তাড়িয়ে দিয়েছে!!! কেন? - কারণ তার চঞ্চল স্বভাব আর মাত্রাতিরিক্ত দুষ্টুমি। তোত্তো-চানের মা নিরুপায় হয়ে অন্য স্কুল খোজতে লাগলেন। খবর পেলেন একটি স্কুলের। কিন্তু গিয়ে দেখলেন কিসের কি? স্কুলের জায়গায় গিয়ে দেখলেন কয়েকটা রেলগাড়ির বগি দাঁড়িয়ে আছে। এই নাকি স্কুল!!!
তারপর পরিচয় হলো স্কুলের 'হেডমাস্টার' সোসোকু কোবায়শির সাথে। সেই যে তাকে ভর্তি করানো হলো, তারপরটা কেবল ইতিহাস।
অদ্ভুত এক স্কুল - যেখানে শিক্ষকের চেয়ে শিক্ষার্থীরা বেশী ক্লাস নেয়, যেখানে ক্লাসের সময়ে হাটতে নিয়ে যাওয়া হয়, যেখানে মাঠের কৃষক শিক্ষক হিসেবে পড়ায়!!! এতো কেবল শুরু...
Inclusive education নিশ্চিত করার জন্য আমরা এখন জানপ্রাণ দিচ্ছি আর ১৯৪০ এর দিকে তখন স্কুলের specially abled শিক্ষার্থীদের জন্য কত কিছু করছেন শিক্ষকেরা- এমনকি স্পোর্টসের ডে তে এমন ইভেন্ট রাখা হয়েছে যাতে ওরাই বেশী পুরস্কার পায়। আবার পুরস্কার হিসেবে দেয়া হচ্ছে- মুলো, সবজি, শাক সহ বিচিত্র জিনিষ। শুনেছেন কখনো?
নেহাত বানানো গল্প লাগছে নাকি?
একটু জানিয়ে রাখি- পুরোপুরি সত্য ঘটনার আলোকে লেখা হয়েছে এই বইটি। লেখক নিজেই ছিলেন তোত্তো চান নামের মেয়েটি। এই বইটি এত বেশী জনপ্রিয় আর শিক্ষাবান্ধব হয়েছে যে, বর্তমানে জাপানে elementary student দেরকে তাদের তৃতীয় বছরে পাঠ্যপুস্তক হিসেবে পড়ানো হয়। এছাড়া ১৯৯৩ সাল থেকে আমেরিকার বেশ কিছু স্কুল এখানকার ধারণা ফলো করে কারিকুলাম সাজিয়েছে।
আমি আর কিছু বলবো না। অসাধারণের ও বেশী... এটা বই না- তারচেয়ে অনেক বড়ো কিছু। সম্ভবত একটা স্বপ্ন!
মূল কথায় আসি... ঘটনার প্রেক্ষাপট জাপানের টোকিও শহরের তোত্তো চান নামের একমেয়েকে ঘিরে। মেয়েটার বয়স মাত্র ৭ বছর। কিন্তু দেখেন কি কান্ড: এই মেয়েকে তার স্কুল থেকে তাড়িয়ে দিয়েছে!!! কেন? - কারণ তার চঞ্চল স্বভাব আর মাত্রাতিরিক্ত দুষ্টুমি। তোত্তো-চানের মা নিরুপায় হয়ে অন্য স্কুল খোজতে লাগলেন। খবর পেলেন একটি স্কুলের। কিন্তু গিয়ে দেখলেন কিসের কি? স্কুলের জায়গায় গিয়ে দেখলেন কয়েকটা রেলগাড়ির বগি দাঁড়িয়ে আছে। এই নাকি স্কুল!!!
তারপর পরিচয় হলো স্কুলের 'হেডমাস্টার' সোসোকু কোবায়শির সাথে। সেই যে তাকে ভর্তি করানো হলো, তারপরটা কেবল ইতিহাস।
অদ্ভুত এক স্কুল - যেখানে শিক্ষকের চেয়ে শিক্ষার্থীরা বেশী ক্লাস নেয়, যেখানে ক্লাসের সময়ে হাটতে নিয়ে যাওয়া হয়, যেখানে মাঠের কৃষক শিক্ষক হিসেবে পড়ায়!!! এতো কেবল শুরু...
Inclusive education নিশ্চিত করার জন্য আমরা এখন জানপ্রাণ দিচ্ছি আর ১৯৪০ এর দিকে তখন স্কুলের specially abled শিক্ষার্থীদের জন্য কত কিছু করছেন শিক্ষকেরা- এমনকি স্পোর্টসের ডে তে এমন ইভেন্ট রাখা হয়েছে যাতে ওরাই বেশী পুরস্কার পায়। আবার পুরস্কার হিসেবে দেয়া হচ্ছে- মুলো, সবজি, শাক সহ বিচিত্র জিনিষ। শুনেছেন কখনো?
নেহাত বানানো গল্প লাগছে নাকি?
একটু জানিয়ে রাখি- পুরোপুরি সত্য ঘটনার আলোকে লেখা হয়েছে এই বইটি। লেখক নিজেই ছিলেন তোত্তো চান নামের মেয়েটি। এই বইটি এত বেশী জনপ্রিয় আর শিক্ষাবান্ধব হয়েছে যে, বর্তমানে জাপানে elementary student দেরকে তাদের তৃতীয় বছরে পাঠ্যপুস্তক হিসেবে পড়ানো হয়। এছাড়া ১৯৯৩ সাল থেকে আমেরিকার বেশ কিছু স্কুল এখানকার ধারণা ফলো করে কারিকুলাম সাজিয়েছে।
আমি আর কিছু বলবো না। অসাধারণের ও বেশী... এটা বই না- তারচেয়ে অনেক বড়ো কিছু। সম্ভবত একটা স্বপ্ন!
Miss Tetsuko Kuroyanagi wrote this semi-autobiographical book about her childhood in WWII Japan. At the first chapter, we met Totto-chan, a mischievous but well-meaning little girl. Her mischievousness came from her innocence. She didn't understand how a conventional school works. She'd sit by the window, waiting for the traveling musicians to come. Her mother knew her daughter won't be accepted at an ordinary school, so she took her to an extra-ordinary one.
On the first day in school, Totto-chan met Mr. Kobayashi, the kindhearted principal of Tomoe Gakuen, her new school. Mr. Kobayashi is unlike any other adults. He dutifully listened when Totto-chan ramble on and on for three hours about her life. At the end of her story, he smiled to her and said that she is accepted at Tomoe Gakuen.
Life in Tomoe Gakuen cannot be anymore sweeter. The classrooms are old refurbished trains. Every day, the children brought boxed lunch that contains "something from the sea and something from the mountains". Mr. Kobayashi and his wife patrolled the cafeteria and makes sure that the students have a complete meal. If the child missed something (e.g not bringing something from the sea or mountains) he'd give a signal to his wife and then his wife would give the child the food he missed.
When I was a child (I read this when I was 9 years old) I wanted to be like Totto-chan. I want to bring boxed lunch to school, I want to participate in a sports festival where people wouldn't judge or laugh at me (I sucks at sports). Totto-chan gave a whimsical image of WWII-era Japan. The children in the school didn't even realize until it was too late. Tomoe Gakuen was bombed and never rebuilt.
What I like about Totto-chan is that it managed to give a innocent, almost-childlike version of the war era. We weren't even told there's a war until halfway through the book. When I first read the book, I thought it was set in post-war Japan. Totto-chan described the horrific things war caused in terms children would understand. Totto-chan made me understand that war is indeed horrible and that it's not things that the grown-ups made. When countless other books told us war in an adult, European perspective, Totto-chan told us war from the perspective of a little Japanese girl.
I believe that a good book is something that you will remember for ages and ages to come and managed to make a "splash" in your life. I read this book when I was 9. I lost my copy when we moved. But, I still remembered Totto-chan's boxed lunch, Mr. Kobayashi's warm smile, and the Athletic Day. I also remembered the lesson Totto-chan gives; that war, no matter which side are you on, is a terrible horrible thing.
On the first day in school, Totto-chan met Mr. Kobayashi, the kindhearted principal of Tomoe Gakuen, her new school. Mr. Kobayashi is unlike any other adults. He dutifully listened when Totto-chan ramble on and on for three hours about her life. At the end of her story, he smiled to her and said that she is accepted at Tomoe Gakuen.
Life in Tomoe Gakuen cannot be anymore sweeter. The classrooms are old refurbished trains. Every day, the children brought boxed lunch that contains "something from the sea and something from the mountains". Mr. Kobayashi and his wife patrolled the cafeteria and makes sure that the students have a complete meal. If the child missed something (e.g not bringing something from the sea or mountains) he'd give a signal to his wife and then his wife would give the child the food he missed.
When I was a child (I read this when I was 9 years old) I wanted to be like Totto-chan. I want to bring boxed lunch to school, I want to participate in a sports festival where people wouldn't judge or laugh at me (I sucks at sports). Totto-chan gave a whimsical image of WWII-era Japan. The children in the school didn't even realize until it was too late. Tomoe Gakuen was bombed and never rebuilt.
What I like about Totto-chan is that it managed to give a innocent, almost-childlike version of the war era. We weren't even told there's a war until halfway through the book. When I first read the book, I thought it was set in post-war Japan. Totto-chan described the horrific things war caused in terms children would understand. Totto-chan made me understand that war is indeed horrible and that it's not things that the grown-ups made. When countless other books told us war in an adult, European perspective, Totto-chan told us war from the perspective of a little Japanese girl.
I believe that a good book is something that you will remember for ages and ages to come and managed to make a "splash" in your life. I read this book when I was 9. I lost my copy when we moved. But, I still remembered Totto-chan's boxed lunch, Mr. Kobayashi's warm smile, and the Athletic Day. I also remembered the lesson Totto-chan gives; that war, no matter which side are you on, is a terrible horrible thing.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
I stumbled upon an important book the other day.
I probably found it because K is next to J and when I’m in a used bookstore, I always look for Tove Jansson books.
On this day at Retold Tales I noticed a little book called Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. The brief dust jacket description told me it was a person’s true recollections about a school of “fun, freedom, and love” that met in old train cars.
I started reading it there on the floor and knew I’d buy it. I finished it in just a couple days. Tetsuko Kuroyanagi writes her memories of this unusual and special school in Japan during the time of World War II. It’s a beautiful and inspiring little book.
The school, Tomoe, was created by someone named Sosaku Kobayashi who believed children should learn in freedom with much self-expression. He told his teachers “Leave them to nature. Don’t cramp their ambitions. Their dreams are bigger than yours.”
The author writes many beautiful stories of the small and large ways Sosaku Kobayashi crafted a loving space for children of different abilities, interests, and backgrounds. He and his wife made sure each child had enough food to eat, could find and pursue what intrigued them, and felt valued and good. Tetsuko writes about Sosaku’s habit of telling her many, many times “You’re really a good girl, you know.” and how she kept that message in her heart throughout life.
She first came to Tomoe after being expelled from First Grade at another school. At that school, she endlessly opened and closed her desk, ran to the window during class, and other things her teacher just couldn’t tolerate. At Tomoe, her life changed.
The school was not fancy. Instead, it was full of enthusiasm, creativity, and trust that children will follow their interests and learn well if given the right support and freedom. As John Holt much later wrote “All I am saying… can be summed up in two words: Trust Children.”
Totto-chan is a beautiful book showing one model of a school that doesn’t require students to conform, but instead nurtures and celebrates them.
I think you should know going in that things end very sadly. No one is injured in the event, but Tomoe is destroyed by an American bomber and the children must move on to other schools. I appreciated knowing this before reaching that point in the story. Without time to prepare myself, I think it would have been too devastating. The book ends with more information on what each person went on to do in life.
Totto-chan is a book I missed until now and I’m so glad I stumbled upon it. (Aren’t quirky bookstores great?) Let’s take the inspiration of Tomoe and create more and more opportunities for children to grown up in nature, in love, and with the reminder, over and over, that they are good.
I probably found it because K is next to J and when I’m in a used bookstore, I always look for Tove Jansson books.
On this day at Retold Tales I noticed a little book called Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. The brief dust jacket description told me it was a person’s true recollections about a school of “fun, freedom, and love” that met in old train cars.
I started reading it there on the floor and knew I’d buy it. I finished it in just a couple days. Tetsuko Kuroyanagi writes her memories of this unusual and special school in Japan during the time of World War II. It’s a beautiful and inspiring little book.
The school, Tomoe, was created by someone named Sosaku Kobayashi who believed children should learn in freedom with much self-expression. He told his teachers “Leave them to nature. Don’t cramp their ambitions. Their dreams are bigger than yours.”
The author writes many beautiful stories of the small and large ways Sosaku Kobayashi crafted a loving space for children of different abilities, interests, and backgrounds. He and his wife made sure each child had enough food to eat, could find and pursue what intrigued them, and felt valued and good. Tetsuko writes about Sosaku’s habit of telling her many, many times “You’re really a good girl, you know.” and how she kept that message in her heart throughout life.
She first came to Tomoe after being expelled from First Grade at another school. At that school, she endlessly opened and closed her desk, ran to the window during class, and other things her teacher just couldn’t tolerate. At Tomoe, her life changed.
The school was not fancy. Instead, it was full of enthusiasm, creativity, and trust that children will follow their interests and learn well if given the right support and freedom. As John Holt much later wrote “All I am saying… can be summed up in two words: Trust Children.”
Totto-chan is a beautiful book showing one model of a school that doesn’t require students to conform, but instead nurtures and celebrates them.
I think you should know going in that things end very sadly. No one is injured in the event, but Tomoe is destroyed by an American bomber and the children must move on to other schools. I appreciated knowing this before reaching that point in the story. Without time to prepare myself, I think it would have been too devastating. The book ends with more information on what each person went on to do in life.
Totto-chan is a book I missed until now and I’m so glad I stumbled upon it. (Aren’t quirky bookstores great?) Let’s take the inspiration of Tomoe and create more and more opportunities for children to grown up in nature, in love, and with the reminder, over and over, that they are good.