| Suki's Kimono |
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| Title: Suki's Kimono Author: Chieri Uegaki Illustrator: Stephane Jorisch Publisher: Kids CAN Press Publication Date: 2003 Summary: It is Suki's first day of school and she wants to wear her kimono. Her grandmother had given it to her and the first day she wore i,t her grandmother took her to a street festival where Suki had a lot of fun eathing good food, dancing under the paper lanterns and lights, listening to the taiko drummers adn picking out a very beautiful handkerchief. Suki had had so much fun she wanted to prolong the magic of that day and wear her kimono to school. Her sisters gave her a hard time, telling her, every one would laugh at her. They walked ahead of Suki pretending not to know her when they set out for school. Suki did not care she walked proudly behind them in her kimono. Many of the children at school did giggle and point at her kimono. Suki ignored them and when it was her turn to introduce herself to the class and talk about what she did that summer, Suki spoke about her day with her grandmother. She showed everyone her kimono and wooden clogs. She talked about the festival and showed everyone the dance she learned that day. When she was done, her teacher and the other sudents clapped for her. Her kimono was a success! Recommendation for Parents: Suki's Kimono is a wonderful story about being yourself. It will inspire your children to ignore the giggles of others and take delight in the things that bring them joy. Your culture is an important part of who your child is and this book can inspire them to take that culture out of the home and share it with their peers. Recommentdation for Teachers: Reading Suki's Kimono to your class is a wonderful way to establish a safe environment for your students to share their different cultures. Your students will be inspired to share thigns that they have that hold special importance to them. They could draw a picture and write about something very special to them. Overall, Suki's Kimono shows our students the a cultrue is not something reserved for home. Personal Note: I enjoyed Suki's Kimono very much because I can relate to little Suki. My Sicilian grandmother is very special to me and as a child I often felt that my culture had to be very separate from school and society. I was not as brave as little Suki, I did not want to be laughed at. Our culture is a part of who we are and Suki's Kimono gives us the permission to be ourselves. Chieri Uegaki's story is heart warming and Stephane Jorisch's illustrations are pleasant.
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