Helpful Score: 4
Hachiko is a wonderful young puppy who lives with his master, Professor Ueno. Each morning the Professor tells Hachiko these same words, as he boards the train: "What a good dog you are. What a fine dog you are. Hachi you are the best dog in all of Japan." And every afternoon, at 3 o'clock on the dot, Hachiko arives back at the train station to greet his owner once again. However, one day, the Professor doesn't step off the train. So Hachiko waits. He waits for ten years. Not even the kind young boy known as Yasuo can persuade Hachiko to leave his post, and take shelter in a warm home. Soon Hachiko is known around the country, and the world, as the dog who never gave up on his owner's return.
I love animal stories, and I've always been interested in the Japanese culture, so I adored HACHIKO WAITS. Leslea Newman has done a marvelous job of capturing the love an animal - whether a dog, cat, etc. - holds for his or her owner, as long as they treat him/her well. The prose is wonderful, and will hold young readers enamored for hours, while the gorgeous black and white illustrations by Machiyo Kodaira bring the story even more to life. This is an absolute must read for all animal lovers.
Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper
I love animal stories, and I've always been interested in the Japanese culture, so I adored HACHIKO WAITS. Leslea Newman has done a marvelous job of capturing the love an animal - whether a dog, cat, etc. - holds for his or her owner, as long as they treat him/her well. The prose is wonderful, and will hold young readers enamored for hours, while the gorgeous black and white illustrations by Machiyo Kodaira bring the story even more to life. This is an absolute must read for all animal lovers.
Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper
Helpful Score: 2
I found this book incredibly heartbreaking and it stayed with me for a very long time. I found it sad that the fictional aspects of the story - that of the child who grew to a man who cared for this dog - gave the book more hope and positivity. All in all, I was deeply, deeply moved by this story, and of the Japanese, who collectively, have lovingly honored this dog for generations. It is a testament to their collective caring as a society, as well as the faithfulness of the breed and of this particular dog himself.
Helpful Score: 1
"...shows us the very best in life: loyalty, devotion, our ability to love, to nurture, to care for someone other than ourselves - all taught by a beloved, intelligent, and heroic dog. The voice and the art are authentically Japanese, though the heart of the book and its meanings cross all cultures..."
A touching story of a dog's love for his master.
A sweet story with such heartwarming content. The loyalty of Hachi breaks your heart, but also inspires.
Hachiko, a beautiful golden brown Akita pup is the loved and revered pet of his owner, Professor Ueno. The curly tailed dog was named Hachi because Professor Ueno considered the Japanese character for the number of 8 fortunate. This is his 8th Akita and he feels the dog has very special qualities. Professor Ueno and his dog walked to the commuter station each morning. Hachiko would trot back to the Shibuya station every afternoon at 3:00. The station master said that one could set their clock by Hachiko.
In May of 1925, some 15 months after buying Hachiko, Professor Ueno died suddenly at work. His loyal dog continued to wait at the train station for him, even though others made overtures to him. The fictional subplot of Yasuo, a young boy who first sees the dog and meets Professor Ueno at age 5 and his partial ownership of the dog when his owner dies is moving and lovely. So are the beautiful illustrations that grace this book.
This is a wonderful book about cultural sharing; I like the way Japanese words are included along with a glossary and a thumbnail history of Japanese foods and traditions.
This is a beautiful book that might make you cry, but it is well worth the read. People of all ages will love the gentle Professor and his loyal Akita who never gave up waiting for his owner to return.
In 1935 Hachiko was immemorialized in statue form as the symbol of unflagging devotion. Hachiko, like another curly tailed dog, the malamute Balto, who in 1925 braved an Alaskan blizzard to bring in a shipment of medicine share a history of being immemorialized in statue form and were recognized for their unflagging spirits.
In May of 1925, some 15 months after buying Hachiko, Professor Ueno died suddenly at work. His loyal dog continued to wait at the train station for him, even though others made overtures to him. The fictional subplot of Yasuo, a young boy who first sees the dog and meets Professor Ueno at age 5 and his partial ownership of the dog when his owner dies is moving and lovely. So are the beautiful illustrations that grace this book.
This is a wonderful book about cultural sharing; I like the way Japanese words are included along with a glossary and a thumbnail history of Japanese foods and traditions.
This is a beautiful book that might make you cry, but it is well worth the read. People of all ages will love the gentle Professor and his loyal Akita who never gave up waiting for his owner to return.
In 1935 Hachiko was immemorialized in statue form as the symbol of unflagging devotion. Hachiko, like another curly tailed dog, the malamute Balto, who in 1925 braved an Alaskan blizzard to bring in a shipment of medicine share a history of being immemorialized in statue form and were recognized for their unflagging spirits.
