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_askthebookbug 's review for:
Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window
by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, Chihiro Iwasaki
// Totto-Chan by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi
More often than not this book felt like a work of fiction but Totto-Chan is as real as it gets. Set during the World War II, this book speaks of a wonderful school in Japan which broke all the rules that's usually associated with a conventional education system. I can't begin to describe the joy and astonishment I felt while reading about the lovely little Totto-Chan's experience of studying in abandoned train bogies. But more importantly it was the principal, Sosaku Kobayashi; the man with the warmest smile and kindest words who stole my heart. I finished this in a single day, all the while enjoying the characters, teachings and especially Totto-Chan's quirky personality.
When Totto-Chan is expelled from her school for disturbing others and for asking too many eccentric questions, her mother somewhat uncertainly gets her admitted to Tomoe, the school run by Sosaku Kobayashi. For an inquisitive child like Totto-Chan, this school proved to be a blessing. The kind principal Kobayashi instantly becomes the child's favourite what with his compassionate manner of treating everyone. Questions were welcomed and lessons were taught in a rather unique manner. The children weren't forced to learn subjects but were inspired and motivated to do as they pleased, eventually leading them to co-operate with the teachers. In this non-judgmental and safe space, the children bloomed into wonderful humans which as assured by Totto-Chan in her later years played a significant role in her life. This book was such a respite from all the mundane and monotonous take on how the educational system must be. There's no other book I'd recommend for both the parents as well as other readers to understand how having one unconventional and encouraging teacher can forever alter your life for good.
If there's one book you're planning to cross off in your TBR list, let it be this beauty.
More often than not this book felt like a work of fiction but Totto-Chan is as real as it gets. Set during the World War II, this book speaks of a wonderful school in Japan which broke all the rules that's usually associated with a conventional education system. I can't begin to describe the joy and astonishment I felt while reading about the lovely little Totto-Chan's experience of studying in abandoned train bogies. But more importantly it was the principal, Sosaku Kobayashi; the man with the warmest smile and kindest words who stole my heart. I finished this in a single day, all the while enjoying the characters, teachings and especially Totto-Chan's quirky personality.
When Totto-Chan is expelled from her school for disturbing others and for asking too many eccentric questions, her mother somewhat uncertainly gets her admitted to Tomoe, the school run by Sosaku Kobayashi. For an inquisitive child like Totto-Chan, this school proved to be a blessing. The kind principal Kobayashi instantly becomes the child's favourite what with his compassionate manner of treating everyone. Questions were welcomed and lessons were taught in a rather unique manner. The children weren't forced to learn subjects but were inspired and motivated to do as they pleased, eventually leading them to co-operate with the teachers. In this non-judgmental and safe space, the children bloomed into wonderful humans which as assured by Totto-Chan in her later years played a significant role in her life. This book was such a respite from all the mundane and monotonous take on how the educational system must be. There's no other book I'd recommend for both the parents as well as other readers to understand how having one unconventional and encouraging teacher can forever alter your life for good.
If there's one book you're planning to cross off in your TBR list, let it be this beauty.