Reviews (16)

Internment from a child's point of view
This was interesting to me since my mother was about Yuki's age when she went to "camp".My mother doesn't talk much about that time, maybe because some things you just want to forget.It helped me understand some of the fear and prejudice towards Japanese Americans during the war.I have mixed feelings about the internment.It was horrible how so many people lost their livelihoods, but on the other hand, in camp, they were sheltered from the hatred and hostility they may have experienced at home.This was wartime, so everyone was feeling some kind of unhappiness.I give this book 4 stars and 5 stars to Uchida's "Journey Home", the story which follows Yuki's family out of camp.

My Review
Yuki Sakane is a Japanese-American girl, who lives a normal life in Berkeley, California. In her school, kids make fun of her for being Japanese. They also call her "Jap" which is insulting for Japanese.
Yuki's Adventure
Yuki and all the other Japanese living in California have to evacuate after the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. Yuki and her family have to leave their pets, friends, and furniture behind and head to a camp in Topaz, Utah. People have to live in horse stalls and share bathrooms with people, but Yuki manages to be optimistic about it. Yuki gets a new friend named Emi and they always pal around together until Emi has an unfortunate illness. It is sad at parts when Yuki loses a loved one, but it has a happy ending. I liked this book because it taught me a lot about Japanese concentration camps in the 1940's and I thought the characters were very likeable and unique. This is a good book and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about the Japanese concentration camps. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Evacuation and relocation, 194    5. Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Historical - Military & Wars    9. Historical - United States - 20th Century    10. Japanese Americans    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. People & Places - United States - Asian American    13. Social Issues - Prejudice & Racism    14. United States    15. World War, 1939-1945   

Reviews (14)

Life of a Japanese American during Relocation
I found this book intriguing. Uchida vividly explains her childhood as a Japanese American and illustrates the need to conform, like any other young child. As she ages, she realizes that her heritage can never be erased, and she is soon penalized for this, a thing she cannot help.
Not so invisible any more, thank goodness
In addition to her writings about the Japanese and Japanese-American culture, Yoshiko Uchida wrote several fiction books that drew from her experiences as a Japanese American during World War II. The Invisible Thread, written for young adults, is an autobiography that tells of her life before, during her family's internment in a camp in Utah.
Amazingly Addicting!
I'm only 12, so if you do not wish to read my review, I understand. However, I still wish to express my feelings of this book. I, normally, am not the type of person who reads autobiograpies or biographies, so I wasn't very excited when I discovered we would be starting a unit on them in school. However, the further I read in this book, the less "dull" it seemed. Though I didn't find the beginning very interesting, I quite enjoyed he book as I read on. I soon felt what I think the author did at that time. I was ashamed to discover what the United States Government did to the poor Japanese-Americans. I found that this book was hard to put down, even at 1:00 A.M. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Authors, American    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography - Literary    5. Biography & Autobiography - People of Color    6. Children's 9-12 - Biography / Autobiography    7. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    8. Japanese Americans    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. People & Places - United States - Asian American    12. Social life and customs    13. Uchida, Yoshiko   

Reviews (6)

Excellent introduction of a heavy topic
I used this book to introduce my 10-year-old twin daughters to this bad time in our usually-praiseworthy US history.They were very moved by the story, identifying with Emi and her sadness and fear.In the story, the bracelet assumes the importance of a link to Emi's past; its importance lessens as difficult losses are suffered by Emi and the rest of her family.If you need to begin to address the topic of prejudice with your children, this story might be a sad yet somehow gentle way to begin.

The Bracelet
This book was mistakenly placed in my preschool classroom and read to the children by another teacher.If you are planning to buy this book be aware that some of the themes in the book may not be appropriate for children under 6-7 years old.This book deals with a child being taken away from home, friends and family then losing a prized possesion.The book also includes talk about war and soldiers with guns.My class had difficulty understanding why Emi was being taken away.This book is more suited to children much older.

an importance lesson in memory
In the first illustration we see two typically Californian homes with cars in their driveways.One has a "For Sale" sign on its front steps.Emi, a second grader, sits and waits.Her father has been sent to a prison camp in Montana, and soon the FBI will take her, her sister, and her mother to a detention center and then to a detention camp in Utah.Emi and her family are Japanese Americans in California.It is 1942, and the United States is at war with Japan.Emi and 120,000 other Japanese Americans (80,000 of them citizens) were sent to detention centers due to their ethnic heritage by the U.S. government; their rights were abrogated.There is a knock at the door.Is it the FBI?No, it's her friend and neighbor Laurie.She gives Emi a gift, a bracelet, with which to remember her by.They hug.Emi and her family, allowed just a couple of suitcases, are sent with other from San Francisco to a racetrack which has been converted to a detention center.They see guards with guns and bayonets, and as they pass a boarded up grocery store, we see a sign in the drawing, saying that the store owners are "loyal Americans."When Emi loses the bracelet after arriving at the detention center, she learns that a person can remember people and families in the absence of physical items and personal effects.An afterword explains the historical events and the redress made by the US Federal government under Presidents Ford and Carter.Yoshiko is also the author of The Invisible Thread, her account of a childhood in detention. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945    4. Fiction    5. Japanese Americans    6. Juvenile fiction    7. People & Places - General    8. United States    9. World War, 1939-1945    10. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / African American   

Reviews (4)

One of my absolute favorite stories
I just can't say enough about Tomi Ungerer and his books.
The camel and the eye of the needle
Nope.I missed this one as a kid.It's funny, because though I clearly remember seeing images from this book on the walls of libraries, cut out in bookstores, and displayed proudly in textbooks, I never read it myself.And you know what?It's an absolutely wonderful book that I am repeatedly regretting and regretting not having read.This story is right up my alley, and it's an amazing tale.In effect, it is a book about the power of redemption and the simplicity of doing what is right, no matter how late in the game.Said author/illustrator Tomi Ungerer himself, "Whatever the color of money, it is never too late to make good use of it".For me, this book is the story of how to make the most of your goods while you've got `em. The Three Robbers
The Three Robbers is a cute book about three robbers who transform into semi-respectable people. These robbers (like all robbers) robbed people for a living. This particular set of robbers robbed carriages.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Fiction    4. General    5. Orphans    6. Robbers and outlaws   

Reviews (17)

A Must Read!
The book "Journey Home" by Yoshiko Uchida truly reflects the gowvernment and American society during World War 2.It shows that the American government wasn't as thoughtful or complex as it is today.They thought that since one group of Japenese was dangerous, then they all must be dangerous.They forced all of the Japenese out of their homes on the coast of the US and into internment camps.In these camps, their "apartments" were actually smelly, old horse stalls.In this book it shows the struggles of a poor Japenes-American girl and he family.Could you imagine being in this young girl's shoes?Not having hot water, having to wash your clothes in a barrel, not to mention the waiting in line just to wash your clothes.But this book woke me up and made me think abot being in her shoes, walking where she walked, and it was the greatest experience to read and imagine.This forshadowing and exilerating story will fly you to another place and show you what life was like for Japanese families during World War 2.It will take you on an adventure; without making you pay for an airplane ticket.:)

Interesting and realistic
Journey Home is an very interesting book. The story takes place in Salt Lake City, Utah where Yuki and her family strugle to live and be free, and happy.
an INTERNMENT camp is not a 'concentration' camp...
Everybody knows that a concentration camp is where they gas people, starve them, rape them and generally turn them into lamp shades and soap. The girl in the book was not sent to a concentration camp as mentioned in the book... she was sent to an INTERNMENT camp. This book is a fictional account, not a true story, of a fictional girl set in a historical setting during the Japanese interments. The internment camps did none of the aforementioned to the unfortunate Japanese and Japanese-americans in the american camps. (one third of them were not american citizens). Also this occurred only to the people from the west coastal states, where the US was most vulnerable to attacks from Japan, (a fact rarely mentioned in us history). most were given a choice to move to another state or to an internment camp. Most chose the camps, an obvious show of trust that they would be treated safely, (which they were).... Overall a good touching book, but was writtem 30 years after the war, with little regard to US war-time sentiments of the forties. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Family - General    4. Fiction    5. Historical - United States - General    6. Japanese Americans    7. Japanese-Americans    8. People & Places - United States - Asian American    9. Prejudices    10. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Asian American   

Reviews (3)

Childhood revisited
As a kindergarten teacher, I just love to read this book to my students.
Wonderful memories!
Oh, I LOVE this book!It is from the 50's, and SO well written!Instead of dumbing children down, it uses words that are more sophisticated.The story is hilarious!It uses pen and ink type drawings, which brought back so many pleasant memories!As a child, I didn't remember the story too well, but the pictures stayed in my mind, particularly the one of Crictor in what looks like a 10-foot long bed and wearing a 10-foot long armless sweater!! An old-fashioned, wonderfully charming children's book
This was one of my favorite books growing up--I must have checked it out of the school library a dozen times. It's the adorable story of an old French woman who relies on a friendly boa to see her around Paris. Not onlydoes it teach children not to judge other people -- or reptiles -- but thecharming illustrations offer fun glimpses into the city of Paris. If youloved Madeline, you'll love this book. Buy one copy for your kids and onefor yourself! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Pets    2. Animals - Reptiles & Amphibians    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Classics    6. Fiction    7. Snakes    8. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Reptiles & Amphibians   

Subjects:  1. Aunts    2. Children    3. Juvenile fiction    4. Uncles   

Reviews (3)

This Book Is A Wonderful Experience
Oh my, where to begin? Papa Snap. He is a saviour, my friends, a saviour for children. Never have I seen a book this clever, and silly, and never have I seen such witty characters or colourful, imaginative illustrations. Papa Snap has given me the power to live again. I ask you, where would you find the adventures of Mr Limpid and Mrs Lame? Where would you find little Arson Twitch, or keen fisherman Bunny Bunson Brittle? Nowhere, but in the creative mind of Tommy Ungerer which has been brought to life in "I Am Papa Snap, And These Are My Favorite No Such Stories". A wonderful experience for kids and adults alike, let Papa Snap run through your veins! Hail PSAS!

If i could give it more stars... I would.
As I child, I enjoyed the tales of Lido Rancid and Bunny Bunson Brittle. Now as an adult I've come to respect the creative genius that is Tomi Ungerer. Quirky warm tales with a secular non-didactic morality
As a child of five fed these tales in the 70s, I loved them for their shortness, their weirdness, the quirky drawings and unexpected outcomes.As an adult I see it as a collection of fairy tales for children who don't grow up but reach their 30s knowing what a critical perspective is.If anybody can come up with anything more delicately miniature and heartwarming than the story of the Limpids well I take my hat off to them.But I won't sit on that sofa. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's stories, American    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Humorous Stories    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Readers - Beginner    8. Short stories    9. Early learning / early learning concepts    10. English    11. English language early readers    12. Fiction    13. Humour & jokes   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Authors, American    3. Biography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Japanese Americans    6. Juvenile literature    7. Literature (Young Adult)    8. Social life and customs    9. Uchida, Yoshiko    10. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (9)

A Dreamlike Book (by Melissa J.)
If you are looking for a good book this is the one for you.This is a book about a girl that finds out that her aunt is going to visit her.Her aunt does many things with her that change her life.Here are some things you should know before you read this book.
A BOOK WITH MAJOR EXCITMENT!
If you like excitment this is a great story for you! It is about a little Japenesse girl. Her parents lived in japan but she was born in the U.S when they crossed over. Her Aunt is still in Japan. Many hard things happen. And I want you to read this book to find them out.

jar of dreams
Jar of Dreams is about Rinko a Japanese american girl.she lives in California and kids at school and just people in general say racial slurs to her, which makes her resent wish she didn't looks so Japanese.her family is barley making their payments.her dad is a barber but really wishes to be a mechanich and her mom cleans other peoples house.then Rinko's mom decides to start her own landry business, and the competing landrymat trys to get even.thinkgs start to change when Rinko's aunt Waka from japan comes for the summer and changes everyones attitudes.Everyone is Rinkos family begins to stand up for themselves and decides to go for their dreams.Rinko's dad decides to start a mechanic shop, Rinkos brother goes back to college to become a engineer and Rinko's mom keeps up her laundry service.i really recomend reading this book ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Family - General    4. Family life    5. Fiction    6. Historical - United States - General    7. Japanese Americans    8. People & Places - United States - Asian American    9. Prejudices    10. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Asian American   

Editorial Review

Poor Stanley. He's a perfectly normal boy until one morning he wakes up flat. After his parents peel the incriminating bulletin board off of him, Stanley must adjust to life as a pancake. He is a boy who takes this kind of thing in stride, though, and soon he's enjoying the advantages of squashedness.Sliding under closed doors is fun, and it's gratifying to be of use to his mother when she drops her ring through a narrow metal grating. Expensive plane fare to California? No problem. Svelte Stanley folds comfortably into a brown paper envelope. There's even room left over in there for an egg-salad sandwich. But Stanley's true moment of glory comes when a gang of thieves begins stealing paintings from the Famous Museum of Art. The case seems hopeless--until our two-dimensional hero saves the day. Here is one boy who doesn't let his profile-challenged body stop him from living life fully--that is, until his brother finds a way to help him become well rounded again. Jeff Brown's matter-of-fact tone and Tomi Ungerer's witty and engaging drawings tickle the funny bone, making this 1964 classic a perennial favorite. (Ages 4 to 8) Read more

Reviews (62)

A Well-Rounded Adventure
Stanley has been squashed flat by his bulletin board! Now that's he's only a half-inch thick, he can slide under doors, get mailed in extra large envelopes, and be flown like a kite. When The Famous Museum of Art needs a special favor, Stanley is ready to help.
Great!
I read this with my [...] sister and she loved it! It's a little too hard for her age because there are some vocabulary she didn't even understand but I helped her and she got along with the book very well. Very funny and humorous.

Classic Fun
A truly original premise requiring more than the usual suspension of disbelief, Flat Stanley delivers a light-hearted journey through the life of Stanley Lambchop.Stanley, a typical American boy, finds his life suddenly transformed when he is flattened by a bulletin board.His parents, in language and wit, sound like a television show family from the 50's, but with the off-beat humor and implausible story-line, it somehow all works wonderfully.Jeff Brown has created an interesting dynamic in describing the relationship between Stanley and his older brother, Arthur, who is intermittently inconsiderate and jealous of Stanley's new-found celebrity.Ultimately, however, it is Arthur who saves the day and returns Stanley to his proper size.It is a very engaging, upbeat story that is a fun read for the toddler set.I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fantasies    5. Humorous Stories    6. Juvenile Fiction / Family / General   

Reviews (11)

Japanese immigrants in America
It's a typical story about the Japanese immigration in the American Continent, in the first decades of 20th century. At that time, many Japanese dreamed to work in America, with intention to "make fortune" there and return to Japan. This didn't happen only in the United States or Canada. Many Japanese families had immigrated for other Latin-American countries, all with the same dream.
Great Story For Growing Up
I love a book that makes you think about "why" we should be righteous people.Rinko was just a typical American girl and to be ripped out of her daily life and get a taste of another culture is what every mother would love for her kids!As a mother of 4 sons, I can see my boys doing the things these boys did - and I can understand their adventureous souls!To see how Rinko changes from a self-centered girl to a caring girl is something that I would wish on all children. Fantastic Book
If you like realistic stories and something which you can compare to yourself, you would love the Best Bad Thing. Once you reada chapter you will not want to stop. Why I loved this book is because I could relate to it. This book has some very funny humor in it. Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Family - General    4. Family life    5. Fiction    6. Historical - United States - General    7. Japanese Americans    8. People & Places - United States - Asian American    9. Poverty    10. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Asian American   

Reviews (5)

Cats will be cats
This little gem of a children's book addresses the sometimes difficult relationships between parents and children with a dark humor that is hard to ignore.I have owned my copy of this book for years, and it has enough complexity to provide new meaning each time I read it.I have always found Piper Paw's world somewhat grim--perhaps the smudgey, black and white illustrations have something to do with this.His relationship with his parents, teachers and schoolmates is so antagonistic that I begin to wonder what made him so incapable of love--this of course is a conclusion I have reached recently, and not when I first read the book as a pre-teen.But Piper comes around at the end, if not completely, at least to a level of compromise that he can live with, which includes no kissing.Because of Piper's antics and some of the more bizarre illustrations, I would recommend this book for kids 9 years and older.

Simply the Best!
This is my absolute favorite Children's book! Growing up as a child, I would read this several times each summer and would laugh for hours at the expressions and the illustrations. The illustrations are brilliant. I thinkthat deep down, we all share the desire to be as mischievous as Piper.

A Lot of Fun
My mother used to love to read this to me when I was a kid; we still have one of the earlier issues.Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavior    2. Cats    3. Children's 9-12    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Fiction    6. General    7. Mothers and sons    8. Schools    9. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (2)

Robber barons writing children's books?
I found this book to be appallingly outdated.The Mellopsdrill for oil in the forest while the mom cheerfully "practicesout door cooking" and then all must flee when a passing motorist carelessly sets a forest fire. This book, written in 1958 when Standard Oil was king and women were third class citizens, is 1950s pulp and remains in the past--not on any child's bookshelf.Although it could serve as a good example of how far society has come in understanding and environmental awareness.

"Adorable!"
This book was one of my sisters' and my favorites when we were kids about 30 years ago.Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Animals - Pigs    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Fiction    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Oil well drilling    9. Pigs   

Reviews (4)

Absolute Favorite
The story of a little girl and how her skills in the kitchen win over the child eating grumpy ogre, is something that should be shared with everyone.
Scrumptious!
A grumpy pirate-like Ogre terrorizes a peasant village shutting down shops, markets and even schools because of his appetite for children.Zeralda, the daughter of a poor working man loves to cook.She cooks such great dishes that when her father falls ill and she is forced to go to market in his place she is able to save the day.Rescuing the hungry Ogre from his own clumsiness and his irrational appetite, Zeralda gives him tastes he never forgets.Soon all the Ogres want what's in Zeralda's kitchen.None want it as much as Zeralda's Ogre though.In a surprise and twisted ending, she marries him.If Disney can pull it off with Shrek, then author Tomi Ungerer shouldget accolades for her work too.I read this story to a large group of preschoolers and they really enjoyed it.

A good sitting on daddy's knee bed-time story
The subject is very Grimm's fairy tale, an ogre that eats children; the tone, and the illustrations, are not. The ogre is shown walking down the village street with a bag over his shoulder, a child's arm is sticking out!But the picture includes lots of other details - children being hidden incellars, and a depessed looking teacher in gown and mortarboard; the textwith this picture says that children went into hiding, schools shut andteachers were unemployed. The light tone fits the story-line, which is,that the ogreaccidentally comes to taste young Zeralda's wonderfulcooking, goes off eating children, and they have a long, happy, life, spentthrowing extravagent dinner parties (a lavish sample menu is illustrated). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Fairy tales    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Giants    7. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (1)

Charming and clever
A non-parent (so far), I was delighted with this book (a present from a colleague who is a cat-lover with a discerning eye for illustrated children's books). I look forward to reading it over and over again with my own child, if I'm so blessed. My only caveat concerns the author's reference to "the grueling torments of childbirth"-I'm not sure I'd want to undertake an explanation of this with a very young child! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Cats    2. Animals - Dogs    3. Cats    4. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    5. Children: Grades 3-4    6. Dogs    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Social Issues - Prejudice & Racism    10. Social Issues - Values   

Reviews (1)

Listen to the this book
The tales in this book are marvelous, rendered in a simple yet beautiful style. Expect the unexpected in this wonderful book. It is a keeper. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Anthologies    4. Folklore    5. Japan    6. Juvenile literature   

Reviews (3)

Strangest Beast
Read about the beast that couldn't be, then was, then wasn't any more.It was quite ugly--strange, Monsieur Racine would say;curious, his friends would agree.That was until something incredible happened.Something embarrassing, maddening, and rather unspeakable.The beast's head was finally cut off and mounted on a plaque.And it never bothered the beast one bit. Strange.

One of the All-Time Greats
As the other reviewer says this one has a great unexpected ending, one that I--the adult reader--didn't see coming myself! Upon re-reading, there are clues
Clever and surprising
My 3-year old son and daughter enjoy this book thoroughly as the pictures are delightful and the plot is simple and engaging.It ends rather unpredictably which makes it as much fun to read to them as it is for them to hear it.It also is sophisticated enough to keep an older child's interest. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. General   

Editorial Review

Tomi Ungerer, illustrator of Jeff Brown's original Read more

Reviews (2)

Childhood classic
Thank God I bought this book before it went out of print. This was without a doubt one of my favorite books as a child. Never since has a book's illustrations so deftly captured the feel and character of the story. It is a book every child should experience and every adult should appreciate.

MOON MAN - Great Story!
Moon Man is a great book! It was my "favorite" book as a child. I discovered this book in my elementary library. I must have checked it out consecutively for two years. I filled many library check out cards.Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fiction    5. Legends, Myths, & Fables - Other    6. Moon    7. Non-Classifiable   

Subjects:  1. Boys / Men    2. California    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    5. Farm life    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Gold Hill    9. Historical - United States - 19th Century    10. Immigrants    11. Japanese Americans    12. Juvenile Fiction    13. People & Places - United States - Asian American