Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
32(32%)
4 stars
26(26%)
3 stars
42(42%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
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Personal Reaction

I truly had a great liking for this book. The reason is that after reading the title, the story took an unexpected turn, which really intrigued me. Moreover, I firmly believe that it conveys a remarkable message that should be imparted to students at a young age. The message is to disregard what others think of you. I think this is a lesson that is most effectively learned during childhood.

Purposes:

This book can be read aloud to 1st grade students for several purposes. Firstly, for the enrichment and enjoyment of the story itself. Suki is confident and excited to share something really cool that happened to her over the summer. The illustrations are also extremely bright and happy, adding a great deal to the story. For example, the pictures of her kimono vividly展示 the bright colors and intricate designs on it. Secondly, for the discussion of different cultures and styles. Thirdly, regarding the narrative structure as it tells a story of young girls and shares their experience on the first day of school. Fourthly, for the introduction of different ways of dress that are specific to certain groups of people. Finally, for the introduction of morals through a story.
July 15,2025
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What a truly celebratory book this is!! It is not just a book, but a magnificent celebration of being your unique self. It encourages us to embrace our individuality and all the wonderful qualities that make us who we are.

Moreover, it is also a glorious celebration of different cultures. It takes us on a journey through various cultures, allowing us to discover and appreciate the beauty and diversity that exists in the world.

This book has had an incredibly uplifting effect on me. It has filled my heart with joy and inspiration, making me feel more confident and proud of who I am and where I come from. It is a book that I will cherish and recommend to others without hesitation.

Overall, this celebratory book is a true gem that brings light and happiness into our lives. It reminds us to celebrate ourselves and the world around us, and to always be open to new experiences and cultures.
July 15,2025
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This book is a charming tale about a girl named Suki.

Suki has a strong desire to wear her kimono to school, even though her classmates try to convince her otherwise, saying that "people will think it's weird." However, Suki is resolute.

Her kimono holds a special place in her heart as it reminds her of her beloved grandma and all the wonderful things they did together while wearing their kimonos.

This is a very sweet book that showcases a proud girl who has the courage to be different. It aligns with my topic as it vividly depicts how students with diverse cultural backgrounds may feel alienated from the norm. Their cultural attire is often dismissed as "not cool" and considered "weird" by others.

I particularly liked how in this book, the main character, Suki, is unapologetically proud of her culture and refuses to conform just to please her peers.

Moreover, this book stands out for its outstanding illustrations. The watercolors used to描绘 the kimonos make them look not only more beautiful but also incredibly realistic.

This book is accessible to any child as there is something unique in everyone. "Suki's Kimono" can teach them the importance of individuality.

The story is very interesting, and reading about Suki's experience in Japan is truly captivating. With its genres encompassing culture, family, and fiction, this book offers a rich and engaging reading experience.

It definitely earns its place at the top of my list for the best illustrations.
July 15,2025
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Summary:


It's Suki's first day back to school and she desires to wear the kimono her grandmother gave her. Her sisters caution her not to as people might think it's strange. But Suki doesn't mind and wears it to school regardless. Once at school, many kids make fun of her for the kimono. When her new teacher asks her in front of the class about what she did over the summer, Suki enacts the dance she and her grandmother did during their adventures. After the teacher and the whole class applaud her performance, Suki becomes even more confident in herself and her individuality.


Themes:


Stay true to oneself no matter what others think or say. Appreciate the differences of others. It's okay not to look like everyone else.


Personal response:


I really like this book as it reminds me that our quirks are what make us interesting and special. We all tend to hide certain aspects of ourselves out of fear of rejection. However, Suki serves as a great reminder that we don't have to act this way. This book also emphasizes the importance of self-expression. The illustrations in this book are truly excellent and enhance the context.


Recommendation:


This book offers an interesting perspective on not allowing others' opinions to determine how we present ourselves. It can also spark discussions about having pride in one's culture. After reading this book to a class, the teacher could ask students how they can make everyone feel good about their differences, similar to what the teacher did in the story. The teacher could also ask students to think about what makes them different and how they can become more confident in that regard. An activity that could be paired with this story is for students to bring an important object to school and share its significance with the class. This book acknowledges that differences come in various forms and that we should embrace them all. I would highly recommend this book.

July 15,2025
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Suki’s Kimono is a captivating picture book that explores a different culture, suitable for grades K-4.

Stéphanie Jorisch's abstract, sketched illustrating style is truly remarkable. She effectively captures the emotional expressions on the characters' faces, making the story come alive. The use of soft colors in faded watercolor adds a touch of elegance, while the brighter repetition of blue and yellow symbolizing Suki’s kimono draws the reader's attention.

Chieri Uegaki tells the story in short paragraphs, written in a simple yet descriptive way. The story juxtaposes scenes from Suki’s happy memories of going to a Japanese festival with her grandmother, who gave her the kimono, against the day she is teased for wearing it at school. Suki’s kimono represents not only her Japanese heritage but also a precious gift from someone she loves and a happy memory of that special day with her grandmother.

The book also includes a short glossary of six Japanese words used in the story, which is a great addition for young readers to learn new vocabulary.

This book can be used in both language arts and social studies. In language arts, it can be part of a theme about multiculturalism. Students can write about their own heritage or explore a different culture they are interested in, focusing on the foods or traditional dress. In social studies, it can be used in a unit about geography, Japan, and traditional clothes or foods from around the world.

Overall, Suki’s Kimono is a wonderful book that combines beautiful illustrations and a touching story to introduce young readers to a different culture.
July 15,2025
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When Suki begins school, she firmly insists on donning the kimono that her grandmother presented to her during the summer.

Her sisters caution her that everyone will ridicule her, but Suki couldn't care less. The kimono is her most cherished item of clothing as it reminds her of all the traditional Japanese activities she and her grandmother engaged in over the summer.

They ate in the market, danced in a circle dance, and watched the taiko drummers perform. As expected, the children at school make fun of Suki's attire.

However, when she remains true to herself, she discovers that everyone eventually becomes more accepting.

This picture book is a charming story about being an individual and following your own path, even when others are not very receptive.

The illustrations are composed of magnificent watercolors that are brimming with life and precisely convey Suki's spirit. Suki's Kimono would be an outstanding mentor text for a unit on family and culture/family roots, or individuality.

It is recommended for grades preK-3.
July 15,2025
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This is an amazing story.

There is a young girl who has a strong desire to wear the clothing and shoes that she received from her grandparents.

However, her sisters hold a different opinion. They believe that if she wears those things, she will surely be made fun of by others.

Despite the concerns and warnings from her sisters, the young girl dares to be herself.

She firmly decides to wear what makes her feel good, not caring about the opinions of those around her.

This shows her great courage and self-confidence.

She is not afraid of being judged or criticized. Instead, she chooses to follow her own heart and express herself in the way she wants.

Her actions are truly inspiring and teach us an important lesson.

We should all have the courage to be ourselves and not let the opinions of others stop us from doing what we love.

July 15,2025
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I firmly believe that this book holds great significance for young audiences due to the valuable lesson it imparts.

This lesson serves as a powerful conviction for children, instilling in them the understanding that it is perfectly acceptable to approach certain things in a slightly different manner.

It encourages them to embrace their individuality and not to ridicule others for their differences.

By reading this book, children can learn to respect and appreciate the diversity that exists among people.

This, in turn, helps to foster a more inclusive and harmonious society.

The book's engaging storyline and relatable characters make it an effective tool for teaching this important lesson.

It captures the attention of young readers and allows them to easily understand and internalize the message.

Overall, this book is a wonderful resource for parents, teachers, and anyone who wishes to help children develop a positive attitude towards differences.
July 15,2025
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This book presents wonderful illustrations that truly assist in conveying the charm and grace of Japanese culture and festivals.

We resided in Japan for four years and had the opportunity to engage in a club that played taiko drums, which was an amazing experience. Our girls were born there, but we left when they were very young, and as a result, they have no memories of that period, which makes me somewhat sad. I hope to bring them back for a visit someday.

However, the narrative didn't quite resonate with me. Suki's sisters were rather snide and mean to their little sister on her first day of school. Although I understand the author's intention, it still seemed a bit excessive. Additionally, Suki's classmates appeared a bit too mean and outspoken for first graders on the first day of school. Our youngest just completed first grade, and the children in her class were much more shy and would have been in awe of something new like that. The snickers and mean teasing usually occur a bit later. Finally, the fact that Suki's mom allowed her to wear her Kimono and obi to school seemed a bit far-fetched to me. The outfit is extremely fancy and not suitable for the school playground. I visited elementary schools numerous times in Japan, and the young kids wore regular clothes to school, not formal wear. I understand that her outfit was special for the first day, but it would have been more appropriate for a presentation or an event. I know I wouldn't permit our girls to wear something so nice and fancy throughout the entire school day!

Overall, I considered this to be a good story about being proud of one's cultural background. It was good, but not outstanding. We enjoyed reading it together, and mainly, I had a great time reminiscing about some of the Japanese festivals we participated in during our time in Japan.
July 15,2025
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If you are seeking a book to educate young children about confidence and culture, then this is the very book for you!

"Suki's Kimono" is a gorgeously watercolored book that narrates the tale of a little girl named Suki who decides to wear her kimono on her first day of school. Even though her sisters try to convince her that it wouldn't be fashionable, Suki is determined to don the kimono to school.

At the start of the book, Suki reminisces about the time when her grandmother presented her with the kimono and they went to a street festival together. At the festival, Suki observes women gracefully dancing in their kimonos, and readers get to learn a little about the culture that lies behind the kimono.

This would be an excellent book to read aloud to young students. It can serve as a springboard for a discussion about culture and how our differences make us unique and special.

By reading this book, children can not only be entertained by the charming story but also gain valuable insights into different cultures and develop a sense of confidence in embracing their own identities.
July 15,2025
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My overall impression was that this book is extremely fun.

Suki is such a delightful and free-spirited girl who truly enjoys life and isn't afraid to express herself fully.

She has an incredibly positive attitude that is contagious.

My initial impact was the interesting nature of the illustrations.

This book is an ideal read for children of any age.

They can gain more information about another culture, but it is also simply a fun and engaging read.

Suki's Kimono did not have a border around the images or text.

The images were full-page, which added to their impact.

The text was placed in various locations on top of the images in the white space.

This artistic style is folk art.

In this book, the text and images are not as closely intertwined.

Suki basically shows her expressions on her face in each image.

The text does support the images, but it is not essential.

Overall, this book is a wonderful combination of a great story, beautiful illustrations, and an interesting artistic style that will surely delight readers of all ages.
July 15,2025
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On her very first day of grade one, a cute little girl embarked on a journey that would showcase her unique spirit.

She was determined to do things her own way, not caring about what others might think. With a heart full of conviction, she walked into the classroom with confidence.

But what made her even more special was her deep love for her grandmother. She carried a small token from her grandmother with her, a reminder of the love and support that awaited her at home.

The story is brought to life with lovely illustrations that capture every moment of the girl's adventure. The colors are bright and cheerful, adding to the charm of the narrative.

It's a heartwarming tale that shows the importance of being true to oneself and the power of love and family.

Readers of all ages will be charmed by this cute story and its delightful illustrations.
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