Actor/filmmaker Hanami—whose mixed-race Japanese/white ancestry reflects Noguchi’s own heritage—provides an unhurried, crisp narration perfect for a read-along. “Alone time can be the most special time of all,” Yang reminds, and Hanami underscores—a valuable antidote, indeed, to the constant overstimulation too many children face today.
The attempt to put complex topics into simple text sometimes results in confusing organization and stilted rhymes, while charming illustrations greatly enhance the appeal for children.
Listen while you can: a new Netflix series just grabbed Chien as Michelle Yeoh’s costar, surely curtailing Chien’s short-but-impressive audiobook career.
All kids should be challenged to think about the message of standing up and fighting for what is right. Here is a worthy discussion-starter on an important topic for all collections.
A pandemic book that is also a story of the importance of family, friendship, and standing up for what is right; another knockout from Yang, highly recommended for all collections.