Suki's Kimono is an excellent book that is highly recommended for elementary students to read.

It effectively conveys the important message that it is perfectly okay to be different and not be overly concerned about the opinions of others.

If a child desires to wear or engage in something that is not considered the "norm," it should be embraced.

Suki experiences this very situation when she decides to wear her kimono to school on the first day of first grade.

The kimono was a gift from her grandmother, and Suki had previously worn it at an Asian festival she attended with her grandma.

However, her siblings have a different perspective and attempt to persuade her not to wear it to school, fearing that she might get bullied.

Despite their warnings, Suki defiantly chooses to wear her kimono anyways.

While at school, another student named Penny asks Suki what she is wearing and remarks that it looks funny.

Suki bravely stands up for herself and tells Penny that she is not dressed funny and that her grandma gave her the shoes and kimono.

Surprisingly, Penny and Suki quickly become friends, as Penny is the only one who understands Suki.

Everyone else in the school thought it was silly for Suki to be wearing the kimono.

The moral of this story is clear: we should always stand up for ourselves, our culture, and our own beliefs.

It teaches children the importance of self-acceptance and the courage to be true to oneself, regardless of what others may think.

This is an extremely wonderful story featuring a character that you simply can't help but adore.

Suki desires to don the new kimono, which is a present from her obachan (grandmother), on the very first day of school. Her elder sisters caution her that the other children will ridicule her. As they select some "cool" new outfits to wear and keep their distance from this embarrassing younger sister during the walk to school.

Some of the other first-graders indeed make fun of her kimono. However, when everyone in the class is requested to share what they did over the summer, Suki relates the festival she attended with her obachan and performs some of the dances she did there. She is evidently a little girl who knows her own mind and won't allow the opinions of others to hold her back.

The illustrations blend in flawlessly with the text - soft watercolors that capture the emotions of the characters. At the beginning of the book, there is a short glossary defining the Japanese terms, such as obachan and kimono, utilized in the book. It is an excellent multicultural book and a great way to show a child that it doesn't always matter what others think when you follow your heart.

This narrative offers a unique perspective on Japanese culture as seen through the eyes of a child. Suki experiences a sense of self-satisfaction after she bravely decides to share her heritage with her classmates. The author, Chieri Uegaki, a second-generation Japanese-Canadian, clearly has a deep connection with the Japanese culture. She vividly describes the clothing and celebrations as seen by the little girl, Suki, who ignores the criticism from her classmates regarding what she wears. The story is set in a classroom, which provides a familiar and relatable backdrop for many readers.

As a future educator, I find this text to be a valuable resource. It can be used to teach important lessons about the importance of respecting others and embracing one's own heritage with pride. Additionally, since Uegaki includes Japanese words in the story, it provides an opportunity to teach these terms in an authentic context. I also appreciate the fact that Uegaki is a Japanese woman, which adds an element of authenticity to the cultural perspectives presented in the story. The illustrations by Stephane Jorish are engaging and can inspire children to illustrate their own cultural group and create their own stories, incorporating the words and traditions of their culture.

Overall, this narrative is a wonderful example of how literature can be used to promote cultural understanding and acceptance.

A Lovely Story Normalizing Japanese Culture

In a world where different cultures are constantly colliding and evolving, there is a lovely story that is quietly normalizing Japanese culture.

This story takes us on a journey through the unique traditions, beautiful art, and delicious cuisine of Japan. It shows us the elegance of茶道 (tea ceremony), the precision of武士道 (bushido), and the charm of和服 (kimono).

We are introduced to the vibrant cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, where modern skyscrapers coexist with ancient temples and shrines. The story also delves into the rich history of Japan, from the feudal era to the present day.

By sharing this story, we are able to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture. It helps to break down the barriers of误解 (misunderstanding) and偏见 (prejudice) that may exist, and allows us to see the beauty and value in this wonderful culture.

Whether you are a lover of Japanese culture or simply curious to learn more, this lovely story is sure to capture your heart and open your eyes to the many wonders of Japan.

Wow! I truly adored the story of this particular book.

Even without a strong emphasis on cultural representation, it presents an array of wonderful and highly relevant themes that are perfect for children.

Surprisingly, even young adult (YA) readers would find great value in the powerful message and vivid depictions within its pages.

The illustrations are outstanding, and the storyline is engaging without being overly mature, overly detailed, or distracting.

This book has truly left a lasting impression on me, and it will most definitely be one that I keep firmly in mind.

I can't wait to share it with others and see how they respond to its charm and wisdom.

It's a gem that combines entertainment and education in the most delightful way.

The book is centered around Japanese culture and diversity.

A girl named Suki had a strong desire to wear her kimono on the first day of school. However, her sister cautioned her that she might be laughed at by her classmates. Her favorite attire was indeed the kimono, which she had worn at a street festival. There, she joyously danced, savored traditional Japanese food, and purchased a handkerchief as a keepsake.

When she arrived at school, some students stared at her and pointed at her dress. But then, a girl named Penny greeted her, and they soon became good friends. The teacher, Ms. Paggio, asked all the students to introduce themselves. When it was Suki's turn, some students laughed. Nevertheless, she didn't let that bother her and instead danced in front of the class. Her wonderful performance earned her applause from the teacher and all the students.

I would utilize this book to educate students about culture as it effectively introduces Japanese culture. By reading this book, students can learn how to respect their classmates with diverse cultures. Moreover, the author inspires children to be true to themselves even when faced with ridicule.

This book appealed to me on an emotional level. At the start of the story, Suki's sisters pretended not to know her when they went to school. This made me feel both angry and sad because I firmly believe that Suki's sisters should have encouraged her to be herself rather than looking down on her.

Little Suki is given a beautiful kimono by her dear grandmother.

She is overjoyed and makes a bold decision to wear it on the very first day of school.

Hurray for Suki! She is so brave to be different and to proudly celebrate her unique culture.

This is a sweet and simple story that is brought to life by the knockout watercolor illustrations.

The illustrations add an extra layer of charm and beauty, raising the story to the next level.

Readers will be captivated by Suki's adventure and will be inspired by her courage to embrace her heritage.

It's a wonderful story that teaches us the importance of being true to ourselves and celebrating our differences.

I was browsing the shelves of the children's books at my local library when I came across this one.

Although I don't have any children to take these short books home to or read to at night, I still found this particular book quite interesting.

I am all in favor of an author, book, or character that introduces the concept of expressing individuality, other cultures, or diversity to children.

This book presented a very simple and effective way of teaching children that it is okay to want to展示 a different culture to their fellow peers.

Suki was very determined about wearing her kimono, and her efforts definitely paid off.

I'm sure she will have another wonderful memory when it comes to how she introduced her kimono, the festival, and her obachan to her classmates.

This kind of story can have a positive impact on children, helping them to be more open-minded and accepting of different cultures and ways of life.

It is important to expose children to diversity from an early age so that they can grow up to be more understanding and inclusive individuals.

Overall, I think this book is a great addition to any children's library.

I read this book and listened to it on Tumblebooks.

Summary: It is about a young girl who decides to wear her kimono on her first day of first grade. Her sisters make fun of her and tell her not to, but she insists. The story details how she obtained the kimono. We learn that her grandmother spent the day with her at a festival. She danced, ate delicious food, and then her grandmother bought her a pink handkerchief. She wanted to wear the kimono because it was her favorite day of the summer and it reminded her of her grandmother. In the end, although the kids initially made fun of her, they are impressed by her story and admire her.

The book is written in English but incorporates some basic Japanese vocabulary like obachan, geta, and obi. One advantage of Tumblebooks is the accurate pronunciation. It pronounced the words correctly. I had to check online, which is what I would have done if reading this book in class. I liked that they preserved the cultural aspect of the vocabulary.

Opinion: I enjoyed this book. It was a charming story. It had cultural elements but didn't fully explain the cultural concepts. You don't learn about the symbolism or reasons behind the clothing, just what they are. The book does a great job of presenting a girl who is not afraid to展示 her culture regardless of what others think.

Grade Level: k+

School Ideas:

- Study the Kimono and other Japanese vocabulary words.

- Compare different clothing styles from other cultures.

- Infer the meanings of words with the pictures.

Captivating illustrations bring to life a heartwarming story. There is a girl who has a strong desire for self-expression. She bravely stands up for what she believes in and shows her unique creativity and individuality to her classmates.

At first, some of her classmates may not understand or accept her way of expressing. But the girl doesn't give up. She continues to share her ideas and works with confidence.

Gradually, her classmates start to see the beauty and value in her self-expression. They are won over by her courage and authenticity. In the end, the girl not only gains the respect and admiration of her classmates but also discovers the power of being true to herself. This story is an inspiration for students in grades 3/4, teaching them the importance of self-expression and believing in oneself.

Suki's Kimono by Chieri Uegaki and illustrated by Stephane Jorisch is a wonderful piece of realistic fiction.

The story follows a girl named Suki who, on the first day of school, decides to wear her kimono and geta despite the advice of her sisters. They tell her to wear something cooler, and even walk ahead of her to pretend they don't know her. At school, the kids make fun of her, but Suki doesn't care. She got her kimono and geta from her grandmother during a summer street festival, and when the teacher asks what they did over the summer, Suki shares this. In the end, everyone claps and cheers for her. On the way home, the sisters complain about not being noticed, but Suki just smiles and dances.

The illustrations in the book are good, although a bit stereotypical with the Asian eyes. However, it's hard to be sure as most of the characters have small eyes. The illustrator does a great job of including the background, which helps the reader understand that the story takes place in a city-like area, even though it's never explicitly mentioned. While the students are in class, there are buildings in the background and what seem to be townhouse-like homes.

This book is a great choice for children in grades K-1st, as it's a bit of a harder read. Each page has a paragraph, making it suitable for students to read alone in grade 2 and up. I really enjoyed this book because of Suki's determination to wear her kimono and her positive attitude in the face of teasing. It's a great example for children to follow.

Spunky little Suki is filled with excitement as she wears her favorite kimono on her first day back to school. The kimono is a precious gift from her grandma, and it holds special memories of her grandmother's visit last summer. When Suki walks into the classroom, initially her classmates laugh at her. However, Suki is not one to be easily deterred. She decides to share her wonderful experiences with them. She tells them all about the lively street festival she attended with her grandmother. The colorful decorations, the delicious food, and the joyous atmosphere come alive as she describes it. Then, to their surprise, Suki does a beautiful dance for them all. Her graceful movements and confident expression win over her classmates' hearts. They are now amazed and inspired by Suki and her unique culture.