Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin
- Publisher
- Kids Can Press
- Initial publish date
- Aug 2014
- Category
- Music, Asian American, Multigenerational
- Recommended Age
- 4 to 8
- Recommended Grade
- p to 3
- Recommended Reading age
- 4 to 8
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9781894786331
- Publish Date
- Aug 2014
- List Price
- $21.99
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
In this beautifully written picture book, Hana Hashimoto has signed up to play her violin at her school's talent show. The trouble is, she's only a beginner, and she's had only three lessons. Her brothers insist she isn't good enough. “It's a talent show, Hana,” they tell her. “You'll be a disaster!” Hana remembers how wonderfully her talented grandfather, or Ojiichan, played his violin when she was visiting him in Japan. So, just like Ojiichan, Hana practices every day. She is determined to play her best. When Hana's confidence wavers on the night of the show, however, she begins to wonder if her brothers were right. But then Hana surprises everyone once it's her turn to perform --- even herself!
The Asian American female protagonist in this story offers a unique perspective, and bestselling author Chieri Uegaki has woven in lyrical scenes from Japan that add depth and resonance. The details in the artwork by Qin Leng connect the two places and contain a feeling of melody throughout. In the classroom, this book could serve as a celebration of music and performing arts, multicultural studies or the importance of intergenerational relationships. It is also a fabulous character education tie-in for discussing courage and perseverance. This terrifically inspiring book offers hope and confidence to all children who are yearning to master something difficult. Perhaps even more important, it allows children to see that there is more than one way to be successful at a task.
About the authors
Chieri Uegaki est une Canadienne d'origine japonaise, née en Colombie-Britannique. Sa carrière a commencé à l'âge de 7 ans lorsque le journal familial The Pender Street Times a été publié. Elle a par la suite raffiné son style en suivant des études de littérature à l'Université de la Colombie-Britannique. Son premier album, Le kimono de Suki a connu beaucoup de succès et Rosie et Capucine suit ses traces.
Chieri Uegaki is a graduate of the creative writing department at the University of British Columbia. Suki's Kimono is her first published work. She lives in Sechelt, British Columbia.
Qin Leng was born in Shanghai, China. At the age of five, she moved with her family to Bordeaux, France, where she spent the next four years. Soon after, she moved to Montreal, where she spent the rest of her childhood. Having been born in Asia but raised in the West, she uses both cultures as her source of inspiration. Looking at her illustrations, one can see the presence of both East and West.Qin Leng comes from a family of artists, where the visual senses have always been of the utmost importance. She grew up watching her father work with acrylics, pastel, and ink. Father and daughter often spent their days drawing side by side. Drawing first started as a hobby, but soon became a way of expression.Despite her many years of study to become a biologist, Qin decided at the age of 20 to follow the same path as her father and enrolled in the School of Cinema to study Film Animation at Concordia University. She has produced animated shorts, which were nominated in various nationa
Awards
- Short-listed, Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize, West Coast Book Prize Society
- Winner, CCBC Choices , Cooperative Children's Book Center
- Winner, USBBY Outstanding International Books, honor list, International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY)
- Short-listed, Chocolate Lily Book Award, Picture Book Category
- Short-listed, Maine State Chickadee Award, Maine Association of School Libraries (MASL)
- Winner, Notable Books for a Global Society (NBGS) List, Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group
- Winner, Ezra Jack Keats Book Award for New Writer, The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation
- Short-listed, Governor General's Literary Award, Children's Literature Illustration, Canada Council
- Short-listed, First & Best List, Toronto Public Library
- Winner, 2014 OLA Best Bet List for Children, OLA's Canadian Materials Committee
- Winner, Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, Picture Book Category, Asian Pacific American Librarians Association
- Winner, Top Children's Books of 2014, Metro News
- Winner, Top 2014 Mighty Girl Books For Younger Readers, A Mighty Girl
Editorial Reviews
Hana's clever triumph is testament to her inventiveness, perceptiveness, and dedication.—Publishers Weekly
Uegaki's book is winning in every possible way ... Hana displays courage, creative problem-solving and lots of spunk.—Kirkus Reviews
Learning to do something new and how to apply yourself and perseverance are applications that can be drawn from this book.—Resource Links
This sweet multicultural story will resonate with anyone who has experienced stage fright.—Kirkus Reviews
Combining a love for music, artful storytelling, and beautifully evocative visuals, this will likely inspire young musicians to discover how to use their nascent skills creatively.—Booklist
And that, folks, is how you tell a completely charming yet refreshingly unsentimental tale of an intergenerational bond of love.—The Horn Book Magazine
The quiet story would make a fine addition to most libraries.—School Library Journal
Librarian Reviews
Hana's Hashimoto, Sixth Violin
In this beautifully written picture book, Hana Hashimoto has signed up to play her violin at her school's talent show. The trouble is, she's only a beginner, and she's had only three lessons. Her brothers insist she isn't good enough. “It's a talent show, Hana,” they tell her. “You'll be a disaster!” Hana remembers how wonderfully her talented grandfather, or Ojiichan, played his violin when she was visiting him in Japan. So, just like Ojiichan, Hana practices every day. She is determined to play her best.I would share this book to help students understand the passion and commitment many young people have for playing an instrument. It is a story that helps teach young people that in order to do something well you need to practice, practice, and practice. Hana’s story also portrays the loving relationship that many young people have with their grandparents. This is the book that supports the music curriculum and also can be shared to learn about a loving Japanese family.
Author available for class visits.
Source: Association of Canadian Publishers. Top Grade Selection 2016.
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