Title: The Bear and the Paving Stone by
Winner of the prestigious Akutagawa Prize, three dream-like tales of memory and war.
The second story is the narrator's poignant look at a young girl as she grows up with the same passion - building sandcastles on the beach, at ages 6, 15, and in her 20s as a young mother.
The third story is humorous and another adventure in Normandy with the Japanese narrator, who like the author, is a scholar and teacher of French literature.
I found these stories interesting because of the author's unique point of view, his humor, and interest in the human condition.
I enjoyed the illustrations with red colors everywhere in the home, the abundance and variety of the foods and gifts, plus the red envelopes with money that children traditionally receive for the new year.
It was difficult to read the ARC ebook as I wanted to see the finished hardbound copy with the fold out flaps meant to delight children readers. I definitely want a paper copy for new year gifts!
Lovely story, pictures, and concept.
Title: The Rock in My Throat by Kao Kalia Yang, Jiemei Lin (illustrator)
I found it interesting that the teachers did not come up with the explanation so common for this kind of silence. They didn't attribute it to shyness, as it was clearly, in this case, something more profound.
The story is good for children and adults of all ages who come in contact with immigrants who speak little or no English, and with their children who are comfortable in their own language but reluctant speaking English.
An educational book, with lovely illustrations, that has an important message for every reader.
Memes: The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, and Sunday Salon, Stacking the Shelves, Mailbox Monday.
They look like interesting books. I sometimes review children's books on Netgalley and wish for the paper copy!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2023/11/11/stacking-the-shelves-55/
I haven't read many children's books on NG, but the two on this blog post I would love to have in my hands!
DeleteI worked with a young Hmong refugee several years ago; he was the cutest little boy and taught me how to count to ten in Hmong. So The Rock in My Throat is one I can't wait to check out. :D
ReplyDeleteIt's a very interesting read and the illustrations are excellent.
DeleteThe combination of Japanese vision and French location sounds very interesting.
ReplyDeletebest, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
It really was, especially as the Japanese author is a French scholar.
DeleteI'm intrigued by the stories of Japanese man in Normandy. One of the historical events that I'm exploring in my novel is the visit of Ambassador Ōshima Hiroshi to the Atlantic Wall, including Normandy, during WWII. Since the Americans broke the code that Japanese diplomats used, the Allies had all that information about German defenses as they planned the D-Day invasion. I wrote about Ambassador Ōshima here: https://www.joyweesemoll.com/2023/01/19/hitlers-japanese-confidant-by-carl-boyd-bookreview-readnonficchal/
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about the Japanese code giving the Allies information to help with the Normandy invasion. Fascinating.
DeleteJust starting 'Weaponized Lies: How to Think Critically in the Post-Truth Era' by Daniel Levitin. Next will be 'They Shoot Horses Don't They?' by Horace McCoy.
ReplyDeleteMany lies that are not simple while lies are probably weaponized, I think. Fascinating book. I might look it up too!
DeleteThat's an interesting diversity of reading material.
ReplyDeleteMy reading has grown to include children's books and picturebooks.
DeleteLovely diverse books. I taught a child with 'elective mutism' which is the term we use here in the UK - which is highly misleading. And looking back, I'm rather appalled at the complete lack of guidance or help I received in dealing with this issue. I hope you have a great week.
ReplyDeleteSelective mutism instead of elective mutism seems more appropriate, as it denotes extreme social anxiety.
DeleteI may have to check out The Bear and the Paving Stone--I really enjoyed visiting Normandy and Brittany a few years ago, and Mont St Michel is magical.
ReplyDeleteThe Lucky Red Envelope sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI love the covers of the first two books!
ReplyDeleteLove the cover for The Lucky Red Envelope. I can see why you'd want a print copy.
ReplyDeleteLove the diversity of the books you read in this post, Harvee. They all sound so interesting!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these books, especially the two picture books. I feel like it is so important to share stories of many different people, especially with children. Both of the picture books you share sounds wonderful. I'd especially like to see and share The Lucky Red Envelope with children.
ReplyDeleteThese books all sound so intriguing! I'm reading two novels, very slowly, so my "what I'm currently reading" hasn't changed much over the last few weeks -- Tremor by Teju Cole is an ARC that I didn't finish before the pub date and Nobody's Fool is the first in Richard Russo's Bath trilogy that I'm re-reading the first two of so I can read the new one that came out recently.
ReplyDeleteI'm whipping through audiobooks right and left, but have been letting myself get distracted during my print reading times.
Your post was a joy to read. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
ReplyDeleteI should read the stories set in Normandy ... I loved visiting there in 2018 ... so much history and so much to see.
ReplyDeleteI like all of these books but especially The Bear and the Paving Stone. It is interesting to see stories about Normandy written by a Japanese author. In January I usually do a Japanese Literature Challenge.
ReplyDelete