Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window

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 heart-touching 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 show more 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. show less

This book is a hilarious and poignant memoir of a little Japanese girl's experiences at an "alternative" school, where curiosity and individuality were encouraged, and respect for each other was fostered among the would-be outcasts of a strict Japanese culture. While idealistic in philosophy, all of the self contained chapter-stories are nonetheless true, and they are all woven beautifully together onto a background of the tumultuous culture and history of the second world war. Just right for a wonderful bedtime read with children, but holding a deeper, thought-provoking message for parents and educators.

I'm not sure why my dad bought me this book., but I'm glad he did. He proved that it is possible for school to be fun, and for students to be intrinsically motivated. Ironically, this book is from Japan, which along with almost all Asian countries, tend to go down the rote-learning route.

I wish I had a school like that. But since it doesn't exist anymore, I'm glad that I had, at least the chance to read about this magical, ideal, school

Wonderful memoir about a lucky little Japanese girl who got to attend an experimental & progressive primary school during WWII. Part historical fiction, part children's realistic fiction, part treatise on education... and even a little bit like [b:Mister God, This is Anna|50807|Mister God, This is Anna|Fynn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1403183760l/50807._SY75_.jpg|49605]; I think readers following this thread [Batchelder awards in Children's Books group] might enjoy it.

The illustrations were not drawn for the book but they suit it perfectly. Read the interesting preface for information. The translation is clear and seems clean. At a few points I briefly pondered the degree of remove from show more 'literal' to 'adapted' but I was never troubled and I do believe Britton to be trustworthy.

In the preface the author reports that "children from the age of seven are reading my book with the aid of a dictionary."

I just wish every child could attend a school like Tomoe....

Recommended to parents and other educators, to children, and to the young-at-heart. show less

Totto-chan is a first-grader in Tokyo during WWII Japan. Her mother was distraught because she's been expelled several times from her classes for asking silly questions. However, Mother soon found out that Tomoe Gakuen, headed by the wise Mr. Kobayashi, offered an alternative teaching suitable for children like her daughter. Thus started Totto-chan's adventure at her new school, Tomoe.

I found this wonderful book when I was 12, finishing my grade school. It's different than the adventure books such as Enid Blyton's, very popular on those days. When I finished reading it, I wished I've been sent to Tomoe.

It's a wonderful book for 10-12 y.o. willing to learn about other culture. Mothers would most likely love the book, and wish that show more someone like Mr. Kobayashi would exist today. show less

Interesting look at a Japanese school just before WWII. Lovely book. I was glad to find a book about Japan by a Japanese author after reading so many by ex pats.

I truly enjoyed her school, her way of education which makes more sense especially in the world we live in now. Humans would be more compassionate, coexisting without any prejudice and more humane with love. Make love, not war.

You can read my full review here:
http://www.sholee.net/2016/06/mpov-totto-chan-little-girl-at-window.html