Summary - Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window

 

Book Title: Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window

Author: Tetsuko Kuroyanagi

Publisher: Kodansha Publishers Ltd.

Date published: 1981

The number of pages: 232 Pages

Genre (Type of book): Children's Literature

 

Why did you decide to read this book? 

Because I’m interested in the story of Toto-Chan while I was a child

Were you glad that you decided to read it? Explain!

Yes, I really enjoyed reading it because the story has a background in Japan and that's a real story of the writer 

What did you like best about this book?

This book is so interesting about the character of Toto-chan that's different from another child

What did you like least?

So far there is no part that I didn't like about this book.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Explain!

this is recommended for the people that like an autobiography children's book

On a scale of 1-10, how difficult was this book for you? (1 easy, 10 difficult) Why?

9. I really like the content of this book, because it is the language is so clear that I can understand the story

Totto-Chan is childishly notorious and excited about everything around her. The story begins with the description of events on her way to a new school. The reason for that is she had been expelled from her previous school. Her activities in the previous school were really funny but they created complexities for her teacher and she became fed up with Totto-Chan. She couldn’t take classes as no one could concentrate. So, she was kind of forced to expel Totto-Chan.

After arriving at the new school Totto-Chan became astonished. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Train compartments as classrooms! She became excited to study in that school. Her tense mother told her that if she has a proper word with the principal she would be able to study in that school otherwise not. After thinking Totto-Chan decided to abide by it.

The principal was old but jolly. He had a different kind of way dealing with children. He made her comfortable and listened to Totto-Chan attentively. She actually talked for four hours continuously. The principal's behavior made her feel secure and wanted. She maybe was a little different from others but she also had the capabilities of being successful if led with care and warmth.

The book describes the friends Totto-Chan makes, the lessons she learns, and the vibrant atmosphere she enjoys at Tomoe Gakuen. Kobayashi introduces new activities to interest the pupils. Mr. Kobayashi understands children and strives to develop their minds and bodies. He is concerned for the physically challenged and he emphasizes how all children are remarkable in their individuality.

Totto-Chan makes best friends with a Christian boy who has polio. Another classmate has raised in America all his life and cannot speak Japanese, and the headmaster tells the children to learn English from him, despite governmental restraints of using the ‘enemy's’ language. The epilogue explains how headmaster Kobayashi had good connections with leaders in the government.

But in this school, the children lead happy lives, unaware of the things going on in the outside world. World War II has started, yet in this school, no signs of it are seen. There are hints of something awry when Totto-Chan cannot buy caramel candies from the vending machine on her way to school, and it becomes harder for her mother to meet the requirements for a balanced lunch.

But happiness always comes to an end, just like every childhood must. With the approaching of war and food shortage, Totto-Chan slowly learned the harsh truth of life through the death of her friends. The small wonders and adventures of the children were slowly and surely engulfed by war, eventually, Tomoe Gakuen was burnt to the ground during a bombing, and was never rebuilt, even though the headmaster claims that he looked forward to building an even better school the next time around. This ends Totto-Chan’s years as a pupil at Tomoe Gakuen.

Totto-Chan is a story, which touches the heart of the reader. It has everything that a reader needs — laughter, innocence, happiness, warmth, hard work, love, tears, and realizations. No wonder it never fails to amaze both children and adults alike.

In one sense, this can be termed children's literature. It is the story of the journey of a child from what she was to what all she can become. It poses a sharp satire on the machine of formal education in Japan. It proves that a child whom the normal education system rejected can become a bestselling author, journalist, and above all, a loving personality.

Another crucial aspect of the book is war. Children realize the cruelties and difficulties of war through this book. By interspacing happiness and war, Tetsuko has succeeded in embroidering the pains of war and gains of happiness to the hearts of the reader. This is so valuable since the readers are mainly children.

In the present world, learning has become only a way to success. Parents want children to study hard to earn money and lead a luxurious lifestyle. No one wants to settle for less. But it is really important to make people understand that competitiveness from a small age, forcing children to do things without their interest is creating problem for their mental health. Learning should be interesting. It’s high time that the education system not only gives importance to results but also teaches the children the real meaning and purpose of life.

Totto-Chan-the little girl at the window will not only give readers a pleasant time but also create social awareness. How many times you may have read it you can’t get enough of it. It is truly a book to read and cherish. It is a true combination from which readers get to enjoy and also have some inspiration.