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swtmarie's review against another edition
3.0
This story seemed to be an anecdote taken from Say's life when he was a young boy. It ended kind of abruptly like it was more of a memory rather than a story. It was interesting having the Americans join the group of kids on their "sportsday" celebration after the war recently ended. The descriptions of the soldiers really separated them as foreigners to their country but they welcomed them to their special event and it turned into a great day for all of the participants.
iggnaseous's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feeling about the book. In part it's a story about authentic cultural exchange. It also portrays post WWII Japan as a dreary place, in need of the color and entertainment only the US can provide. The titular bicycle man is an African American soldier. The author attributes the characteristic exoticism of the East to the soldier. Is that a positive change, or just an expression of U.S.-style racism with the trappings of a Japanese tale? The story has the structure of another white-savior narrative, except that it's the black man whose doing the "saving"--from rigid structures and into fun.
bookdingo's review against another edition
4.0
Another title I remember back from the Reading Rainbow days. Say gives a nice glimpse of a Japanese village school's sports day shortly after the end of WWII and a couple of American soldiers show up to try out the principal's bicycle. There's no overt commentary, just a brief glimpse of recreation between cultures and then the soldiers leave and go back to their base.
kerameia's review against another edition
5.0
Simple yet beautiful (and in my opinion, haunting) story, empowered by beautifully detailed illustrations. Leaves one wondering about the crowds, and the two soldiers, after the fact.
lara_lleverino's review against another edition
4.0
This book is an opportunity to talk with young kids about how things we might take for granted, tall men, people with black skin, American soldiers in uniform might seem strange or scary in the eyes of someone not used to seeing them, a young boy living in occupied Japan after WW2. It gives an opportunity to discuss with a child that some things that seem odd to them do not necessarily mean a threat to their safety.
florapants84's review against another edition
4.0
This is the third Allen Say book I've read this year, and being the huge Japanophile that I am, it's safe to say that I am officially a fan. I found this book today misshelved in the Education and Reference book section of a dusty old charity shop.
Set on a mountainside village near Yokohama not long after World War II, this autobiographical story takes place on sportsday–an event where all the school children and their families gather at the village school for a day of games and prizes.
On this particular spring day, two American soldiers from a nearby base show up and give everyone the biggest surprise of all. What a great little book, and a steal for only a quarter. I hope to eventually read all of Say's children's books. His illustrations are wonderful, and there's so much substance to his stories.
Set on a mountainside village near Yokohama not long after World War II, this autobiographical story takes place on sportsday–an event where all the school children and their families gather at the village school for a day of games and prizes.
On this particular spring day, two American soldiers from a nearby base show up and give everyone the biggest surprise of all. What a great little book, and a steal for only a quarter. I hope to eventually read all of Say's children's books. His illustrations are wonderful, and there's so much substance to his stories.
engpunk77's review against another edition
3.0
Compare Japanese children's "Sportsday" to our kids' "field day."
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