Illustrated by Genevieve Simms
Published by Kids Can Press
When Mayumi was born, her grandfather created a garden for her. It was unlike any other garden she knew. It had no flowers or vegetables. Instead, Ojiichan made it out of stones: “big ones, little ones and ones in-between.” Every summer, Mayumi visits her grandfather in Japan, and they tend the garden together. Raking the gravel is her favorite part. Afterward, the two of them sit on a bench and enjoy the results of their efforts in happy silence. But then one summer, everything changes. Ojiichan has grown too old to care for his home and the garden. He has to move. Will Mayumi find a way to keep the memory of the garden alive for both of them?
This gentle picture book story will warm children’s hearts as it explores a deep intergenerational bond and the passing of knowledge from grandparent to grandchild over time. The lyrical text by Chieri Uegaki and luminous watercolor illustrations by Genevieve Simms beautifully capture the emotional arc of the story, from Mayumi’s contentment through her anger and disappointment to, finally, her acceptance. The story focuses on an important connection to nature, particularly as a place for quiet reflection. It contains character education lessons on caring, responsibility, perseverance and initiative. It’s also a wonderful way to introduce social studies conversations about family, aging and multiculturalism. Mayumi lives in North America with her Japanese mother and Dutch father, and visits her grandfather in Japan. Some Japanese words are included.
REVIEWS
"Like a garden, this meticulously composed work will bring readers serenity and joy."
- Kirkus Reviews, starred review, 28 January, 2019
"... a solid purchase for picture book collections, especially where stories about processing emotions are needed."
- School Library Journal, 01 April, 2019
"A rewarding Canadian picture book."
- Booklist, 10 April, 2019
"... lovely ..."
- The Globe and Mail, 08 May, 2019
"... a warm and satisfying story ..."
- CM Magazine, 24 May, 2019
"... a quiet look at traditions, change, and the special relationships between grandparents and children."
- Horn Book, 19 July, 2019
"... Uegaki gingerly explores the strong emotions that accompany a loss and the mementos that can soften grief."
- Publishers Weekly, 19 July, 2019
"... vibrant and quietly strong."
- Canadian Children's Book News, 04 October, 2019
"Young readers will relate to the vivid, bodily ways that the book explores Mayumi's feelings through action."
- ABQLA, 01 December, 2019
AWARDS
2021 - Chocolate Lily Book Award - Picture Book Category, Skipping Stones Magazine, Commended
2020 - Skipping Stones Honor List, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Winner
2019 - Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection, Kirkus Reviews, Winner
2019 - Best Picture Books of 2019 List, Spirituality and Practice, Winner
2019 - Best Spiritual Children's Books of the Year list, Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, Winner
2019 - Ezra Jack Keats Award, , Nominee
Illustrated by Qin Leng
Published by Kids Can Press
In this beautifully written picture book, Hana Hashimoto has signed up to play her violin at her school’s talent show. The trouble is, she’s only a beginner, and she’s had only three lessons. Her brothers insist she isn’t good enough. “It’s a talent show, Hana,” they tell her. “You’ll be a disaster!” Hana remembers how wonderfully her talented grandfather, or Ojiichan, played his violin when she was visiting him in Japan. So, just like Ojiichan, Hana practices every day. She is determined to play her best. When Hana’s confidence wavers on the night of the show, however, she begins to wonder if her brothers were right. But then Hana surprises everyone once it’s her turn to perform — even herself!
The Asian American female protagonist in this story offers a unique perspective, and bestselling author Chieri Uegaki has woven in lyrical scenes from Japan that add depth and resonance. The details in the artwork by Qin Leng connect the two places and contain a feeling of melody throughout. In the classroom, this book could serve as a celebration of music and performing arts, multicultural studies or the importance of intergenerational relationships. It is also a fabulous character education tie-in for discussing courage and perseverance. This terrifically inspiring book offers hope and confidence to all children who are yearning to master something difficult. Perhaps even more important, it allows children to see that there is more than one way to be successful at a task.
REVIEWS
"This sweet multicultural story will resonate with anyone who has experienced stage fright."
- Kirkus Reviews, 18 June, 2014
"Hana’s clever triumph is testament to her inventiveness, perceptiveness, and dedication."
- Publishers Weekly, 23 June, 2014
"And that, folks, is how you tell a completely charming yet refreshingly unsentimental tale of an intergenerational bond of love."
- The Horn Book Magazine, 01 September, 2014
"The quiet story would make a fine addition to most libraries."
- School Library Journal, 01 September, 2014
"Uegaki’s book is winning in every possible way ... Hana displays courage, creative problem-solving and lots of spunk."
- Kirkus Reviews, 12 September, 2014
"Combining a love for music, artful storytelling, and beautifully evocative visuals, this will likely inspire young musicians to discover how to use their nascent skills creatively."
- Booklist, 01 November, 2014
"Learning to do something new and how to apply yourself and perseverance are applications that can be drawn from this book."
- Resource Links, 01 February, 2015
AWARDS
2015 - CCBC Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center, Winner
2015 - Chocolate Lily Book Award, Picture Book Category, West Coast Book Prize Society, Short-listed
2015 - Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize, The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, Short-listed
2015 - Ezra Jack Keats Book Award for New Writer, Maine Association of School Libraries (MASL), Winner
2015 - Maine State Chickadee Award, Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group, Short-listed
2015 - Notable Books for a Global Society (NBGS) List, International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), Winner
2015 - USBBY Outstanding International Books, honor list, OLA’s Canadian Materials Committee, Winner
2014 - Asian Pacific American Librarians Association, Winner
2014 - 2014 OLA Best Bet List for Children, Toronto Public Library, Winner
2014 - Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, Picture Book Category, Canada Council, Short-listed
2014 - First & Best List, A Mighty Girl, Short-listed
2014 - Governor General's Literary Award, Children's Literature Illustration, Metro News, Winner
2014 - Top 2014 Mighty Girl Books For Younger Readers, Winner
Illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch
Published by Kids Can Press
"I don't want a baby sister." Does Rosie really mean it? Her baby sister, Buttercup, has been a bit of a handful lately. She won't leave Rosie alone, she cries at opera-singer level and whistles when she sleeps. Before Buttercup came along, Rosie's life was blessed. Her schedule was filled with dance and voice lessons. Best of all, she didn't have to share her pet crickets, Eenie and Meenie, with anybody. Things get so bad that Rosie decides to give her little sister away -- to a good home, of course. But as she says good-bye to Buttercup forever, Rosie can't ignore a squeezy feeling in her chest. From the perfectly paired creative team who brought you the bestselling Suki's Kimono comes a touching picture book about two sisters.
REVIEWS
Uegaki and Jorisch (previously paired for Suki’s Kimono ) bring poise and polish to a well-worn subject… Uegaki’s assured text assumes an intelligent reader: “One morning, Rosie woke up feeling peevish... a tiny idea that had been smoldering in her head burst into flame”; and offers offbeat images (“Rosie’s heart jumped like a poked frog”), which, like her well-chosen details, provoke giggles. Jorisch’s watercolor illustrations, uncluttered but dense with patterns, are crisp against generous fields of white space…. Ages 3-7.
- Publishers Weekly 2008-03-08
…Uegaki’s tale travels the familiar ground of older-sibling angst. While the resolution—a remorseful Rosie trades her favorite snack to get Buttercup back—is no surprise, Uegaki’s saucy protagonist and her wry observations will garner fans among young readers. Jorisch’s watercolor illustrations have a quaint feel to them that suits the easygoing tenor of the tale. This understanding offering is bound to reassure young readers also struggling to adjust to a new sibling. (Picture Book. 3-7)
- Kirkus Reviews, 2008-03-15
PreS-Gr 1-With typical sibling rivalry, Rosie…first plays with her baby sister and then gets tired of her and tries to give her away. Luckily, she takes the child to her sitter, a gentle adult male….and is later willing to trade her back for snack food-sun-dried dandelion puffs. Rosie's emotions are expressed…in a thoughtful and gentle way. No reprimands are given, and the sisters are happily reunited in a resolved relationship. The pretty watercolors are delicately displayed…The white backgrounds make the colors and characters stand out. Children will want to hear this story more than once; it is a good choice for those who are faced with accepting a newcomer in the family.
- School Library Journal, 2008
Erlene Bishop Killeen, Stroughton Area School District, WI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
.…the author, Chieri Uegaki, has done a fine job in capturing the tensions that can exist between two sisters.
Stéphane Jorisch's delightful watercolour paintings are a great strength…illustrations that are appealing and easy on the eye.
Rosie and Buttercup is a simple, yet entirely effective portrayal of sibling relationships…Uegaki and Jorisch's collaboration captures this mix of emotions in a realistic, engaging manner…Rosie and Buttercup is a terrific book to have in the family library. For families that contain sisters, I highly recommended this book as a worthwhile purchase that readers will return to repeatedly.
Highly Recommended.
- CM Magazine Vol XIV, Number 21, 2008-06-13
AWARDS
2009 - Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize, Finalist
2009 - Shining Willow Award, Finalist
Illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch
Published by Kids Can Press
Suki’s favorite possession is her blue cotton kimono. A gift from her obachan, it holds special memories of her grandmother’s visit last summer. And Suki is going to wear it on her first day back to school — no matter what anyone says.
When it’s Suki’s turn to share with her classmates what she did during the summer, she tells them about the street festival she attended with her obāchan and the circle dance that they took part in. In fact, she gets so carried away reminiscing that she’s soon humming the music and dancing away, much to the delight of her entire class!
Filled with gentle enthusiasm and a touch of whimsy, Suki’s Kimono is the joyful story of a little girl whose spirit leads her to march — and dance — to her own drumbeat
REVIEWS
"A wonderful story about being yourself, with the added bonus of teaching readers a little about Japanese culture."
- Kirkus Reviews, 01 October, 2003
"Uegaki’s first picture book is a joyful tribute to a little girl’s inner and outer sense of style. Uegaki conveys Suki’s determination to honour her grandmother and remember a favourite day with language as colourful as the all-important kimono."
- Quill & Quire, Starred Review, 01 October, 2003
"Suki’s Kimono successfully achieves that delicate balance between plot, language, illustration, and design that is so critical when creating memorable picture books."
- The New York Times, 01 November, 2003
"The title character in the appealing story is a free spirit who wavers only briefly in her dedication to her own feelings.”
- ForeWord Magazine, 01 January, 2004
"The story, written for ages four through eight, rings true on many levels."
- Booklist, 01 November, 2003
"A fine choice for multicultural units as well as youngsters dealing with differences. Suki’s story will appeal to other independent-thinking girls as well."
- Asian Week, 01 November, 2003
"An absolutely delightful tale ..."
- School Library Journal, 01 December, 2003
"Overall, this is an appealing story of courage and independence."
- Montreal Review of Books, 01 November, 2003
AWARDS
2005 - Blue Spruce Award, Ontario Library Association, Short-listed
2005 - Chocolate Lily Award, ForeWord Magazine, Short-listed
2004 - Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award, International Reading Association, Runner-up
2004 - Book of the Year – Bronze Medal, Winner
2004 - Children's Book Award Notable Book, Winner
2004 - Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize, Short-listed
2004 - Mr. Christie Book Award, Runner-up
2004 - Ruth Schwartz Children’s Book Award, Short-listed
