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Here’s a thought. I haven’t read this one yet, but its possible from what I heard on the show that the authors were using hyperbole to show that people generally come to accept people who stick to who they are. It may have been illustrated in an exaggerated way, but its an important message, especially when the subject of the story has spent the entire story fending off nay-sayers.

I think its important that children learn that there are positive effects at the end. Yes, its important that they learn to stand up for who they are and what they believe, but its just as important to know that by doing so, you can affect change in the world around you. If Suki had come through the entire story without a positive ending, then it would have taught the readers about the importance of being who you are, but might also have left the impression that by doing so, you put yourself in a position outside of the ability to have friends and relationships.

My two cents. Talk to you soon!

Chris
http://www.answers-for-freelancers.com/

Chris,

Thanks for extending the conversation!! Woohoo! This is just what we’ve been hoping for!

I think I see what you mean about ending with Suki being happy but also outside the group. I just didn’t think that the class gathering around Suki and applauding was necessary. Quiet acceptance, appreciation would have worked well for me but perhaps it would have been more difficult to get across in a picture book and might have been too subtle for its young readers. 

Thanks for weighing in. I hope you’ll share your 2cents again soon.

Maybe your comments will even entice some others to offer their thoughts ($1 for each comment this month goes to Raise-a-Reader….)
Andrea

My 5yo daughter loved the book. Her grandma bought it for her birthday this fall because I had brought back a child’s kimono for her on my last trip to Tokyo. She had volunteered (from the audience) to participate in a Japanese circle dance this summer at the Chicago area Japanese Festival. It made it very easy for her to “put herself into the story”. She’s a bit of a ham, so the idea of everyone applauding is right up her alley.

Her first comment when we read the book? “Daddy, Suki forgot her umbrella at school!”

Donald,

That’s a great story. It’s as though Suki’s Kimono was written for your daughter.

Until you mentioned it, I’d never noticed that Suki didn’t have her umbrella on her way home. What attention to detail.

Thanks for listening and for adding to the conversation,
Andrea