On the first day of school, Suki is extremely determined and unwavering in her decision to wear her beautiful kimono and traditional geta shoes.

She doesn't care if the other kids might laugh at her or give her strange looks. In fact, she stands tall and shines brightly with confidence.

The story arc of Suki's experience on the first day of school is truly captivating. It shows how she overcomes the potential ridicule and remains true to herself.

The message it conveys is powerful - that we should embrace our own cultures and identities, regardless of what others may think.

Moreover, the illustrations in the story are simply wonderful. They bring the characters and the scenes to life, adding an extra layer of charm and beauty to the narrative.

Overall, I absolutely loved this story for its engaging story arc, meaningful message, and stunning illustrations. It is a story that will surely touch the hearts of many readers.

This is a truly great story that is perfect for reading with ESL students.

It has the power to make them feel at ease with being different and to take great pride in their own unique cultures.

When students hear this story, they can relate to the characters and their experiences, which helps them to understand that being different is not something to be ashamed of, but rather something to be celebrated.

The story can also open up discussions about different cultures, traditions, and values, allowing students to learn from one another and to appreciate the diversity that exists in the world.

By reading this story with ESL students, we can help them to build confidence in themselves and in their abilities, and to embrace their cultural identities with pride.

It is a wonderful tool for promoting cultural awareness and understanding, and for creating a more inclusive and accepting classroom environment.

I have a strong-willed and self-possessed little girl of my own, and when I encounter a kindred spirit in a book, I can't help but admire. In "Suki’s Kimono" by Chieri Uegaki, Suki is faced with the decision of what to wear on the first day of first grade. Her sisters suggest something "cool," but Suki chooses to wear something meaningful - a kimono and geta shoes that she wore on a special occasion with her grandmother.

At school, Suki remains calm, confident, and dignified as she is questioned and mocked for her choice. However, when given the opportunity to explain that the kimono was a gift from her grandmother and that she wore it to a special festival, Suki begins to dance, reliving the joyful experiences of that day. Her exuberance impresses her classmates and earns their admiration.

Stephane Jorisch's bright and happy watercolors are a perfect match for Uegaki's text. Jorisch's simple yet animated style emphasizes Suki's confidence and joyfulness, especially in the illustration of Suki walking to school with her arms held high like bird wings and a wide smile on her face.

The themes of this book are also highly admirable - individual expression, the confidence to be true to oneself, admiration for a grandparent, pride in one's heritage, and dignity in the face of ridicule. "Suki’s Kimono" offers much to enjoy and learn from, and I look forward to sharing this book with my students.

Suki has a deep love for her heritage. It means the world to her. However, when she decides to wear her beautiful kimono on the very first day of school, her sisters consider her to be rather silly.

Despite the fact that some people might make fun of her for her choice, Suki remains unwavering in her pride for where she came from. She stands tall and confident, not allowing the negative remarks to dim her shine.

This wonderful book serves as a powerful reminder to readers that they too can take great pride in their own heritage. It shows that even if others may not initially understand or respect it, in the end, they will come to see the beauty and value in it. It encourages us all to embrace our roots and be proud of who we are.

Multicultural Realistic Fiction (2005)

Suki is a young and brave girl. She makes a decision that she wants to wear her kimono on the very first day of school. It's not just because she thinks the kimono looks beautiful. Instead, the memories it holds are extremely special to her and her family. The kimono is like a precious link that connects her to her cultural roots and the stories of her ancestors.

In the classroom, this wonderful book could be utilized to teach students the great importance of celebrating our own culture and remembering where we come from. Suki shows remarkable courage as she is not afraid to be true to herself, even though she is well aware that she might face some teasing or ridicule from her classmates. This is indeed a valuable lesson that can bring numerous benefits to all students. It encourages them to embrace their individuality, respect different cultures, and have the confidence to show the world who they really are.

Rewards of walking to the beat of one's own drum.
This phrase truly reminded me of my niece.

She is a remarkable young girl who has always had the courage to follow her own path.

While others may conform to the norms and expectations around them, she marches to the rhythm of her own heart.

This independence has led her to discover unique interests and talents that might have otherwise remained hidden.

She has pursued her passions with determination, regardless of the opinions or judgments of others.

As a result, she has achieved great things and found a sense of fulfillment that comes from being true to oneself.

Her story serves as an inspiration to all of us, showing that there are indeed rewards to be gained from walking to the beat of one's own drum.

It encourages us to embrace our individuality, take risks, and pursue our dreams without fear of failure or criticism.

For in doing so, we may just find that the path less traveled leads to the most beautiful destinations.

It's the first day of school.

Suki's sisters are very insistent. They warn her not to wear her kimono. Instead, they think she should wear normal clothes like everyone else.

However, Suki has a special attachment to her kimono. She wore it to a festival when her grandma visited. It holds many precious memories for her.

When Suki arrives at school, she indeed gets some wired looks. Some kids even point and laugh at her. But Suki is not easily defeated. She is confidant in herself and her choice.

Despite the initial reactions from her classmates, Suki has a great first day. She makes new friends and enjoys her classes. She shows that being true to oneself is more important than following the crowd.

At the end of the day, Suki walks home with a smile on her face, proud of herself for standing up for what she loves.

This is a truly charming story.

There is a little girl who has a very special kimono. It is filled with wonderful memories from her grandmother's visit.

On the first day of school, she decides that she wants to wear this kimono.

Her sisters, who are rather status-conscious, have their own thoughts about it.

However, the little girl doesn't care. She goes ahead and wears the kimono anyway.

Naturally, when they arrive at school, nobody pays much attention to the carefully-chosen outfits of her sisters.

But of course, everybody sees Suki's beautiful kimono.

And they are all eager to hear her story of how she got this precious kimono.

It turns out to be a wonderful and memorable start to her school year.

The little girl's decision to follow her heart and wear what she loves has brought her a lot of attention and joy.

It shows that sometimes, being true to ourselves is more important than trying to fit in with others.

I am upping this to four stars.

Recently, I reread it and shared it with my children. Suki desires to wear her kimono to school. Even though her older sisters caution her that she will be teased, Suki insists. Her grandmother gave her the kimono, and she adores it deeply. It reminds her of a magnificent festival they attended, filled with lots of dancing.

Sure enough, Suki is snubbed and ridiculed for her kimono. However, when she showcases her dance to the class, they all come to appreciate her.

It's still a bit too foreseeable and perhaps a touch implausible. How could everyone in the class suddenly go from teasing her to thinking she's amazing just like that? But I value the fact that Suki loves her grandmother so much. She wants to celebrate the memory of their special time together, and this is more crucial than impressing her peers.

This story teaches children the importance of being true to themselves and honoring their cultural heritage, regardless of what others may think. It also shows that kindness and understanding can overcome prejudice and ridicule.

Suki's Kimono takes us on a journey with Suki on her first day of school.

Her sisters are thrilled to flaunt their new clothes to their friends. However, Suki decides to wear the kimono she donned at an Asian festival with her grandmother. She finds it amazing and is proud of her heritage. But her sisters are worried she'll be made fun of and even pretend not to know her as they walk to school.

When Suki arrives at school, aside from her friend Penny, she is either teased or ridiculed for her outfit. But during show and tell, she bravely shows off the kimono and even does some dancing in it. The teacher compliments her garb, and soon all the kids start to love it and compliment her too.

On the way home from school, while her sisters are disappointed that nobody commented on their new clothes, Suki walks behind them smugly, proud of her kimono.

This story is likely part of a long line of children's picture books with the theme of being proud of one's culture, regardless of what others think. It's heartwarming and would be great for young readers, probably in 3rd grade and below. The illustrations are spaced in a way that builds suspense and excitement, not simply randomly placed. It has a multicultural theme set in modern-day issues, forming a worthy commentary on how students should be proud of their diverse backgrounds without fear of being teased. It aims to deliver a simple message, and with the help of its vivid illustrations, the message definitely comes across.

This is a very nicely written and child-centered story. It focuses on one family and their different views regarding their country of origin. The story begins with Suki, who wants to wear a kimono to school in America. Her older sisters, however, are embarrassed by this idea. They may be worried about how others will perceive them or think that it is not appropriate for the American school environment. But Suki, on the other hand, has a different perspective. She sees wearing the kimono as a way to express her cultural identity and have fun. She doesn't seem to be bothered by the potential judgment of others. In the end, Suki's decision to wear the kimono and have fun with it shows that she is proud of her heritage and is not afraid to be herself.

Suki had an amazing time with her obachan (grandmother) at a Japanese festival. There, she received her very own kimono and learned various dances and other festive aspects of Japan.

She truly APPRECIATES the experience she had with her obachan. So much so that on the first day of school, she wears her kimono with complete CONFIDENCE! At first, others aren't sure what to think about her. However, when her teacher shows what it means to be OPEN MINDED, she allows Suki to teach the class about her clothing and展示 the beauty of her Japanese culture.

I may be partial since it is Japan, but I really loved how Suki was so confident in her heritage and was willing to share it with others. It's wonderful to see her embrace and celebrate her culture in such a proud way.

This story not only showcases the importance of cultural appreciation but also the power of being open-minded and sharing one's traditions with the world.