Tetsuko Kuroyanagi

The Little Girl at the Window

Totto-Chan

This engaging series of childhood recollections tells about an ideal school in Tokyo during World War II that combined learning with fun, freedom, and love. This unusual school had old railroad cars for classrooms, and it was run by an extraordinary man-its founder and headmaster, Sosaku Kobayashi--who was a firm believer in freedom of expression and activity. In real life, the Totto-chan of the book has become one of Japan's most popular television personalities--Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. She attributes her success in life to this wonderful school and its headmaster. The charm of this account has won the hearts of millions of people of all ages and made this book a runaway bestseller in Japan, with sales hitting the 4.5 million mark in its first year.

Marion 

Having eyes, but not seeing beauty; having ears, but not hearing music; having minds, but not perceiving truth; having hearts that are never moved and therefore never set on fire. These are the things to fear, said the headmaster.

re-reading this book felt like stepping back into my childhood. totto-chan’s curious, free-spirited nature reminded me of the joy and innocence of being a kid, while the unique setting of tomoe gakuen brought a sense of wonder i hadn’t felt in years. the simplicity of the storytelling makes it so relatable, but the deeper messages about individuality and kindness really hit differently as an adult. it’s a nostalgic journey that celebrates the beauty of seeing the world through a child’s eyes.

Currently being an educator, this book made me reflect on my own experiences, practices, and beliefs I hold. It also takes me back to the joys of being a child and how much bigger the world looks like from their eyes. The headmaster is someone I’ll remember for a long time, much like the students of Tomoe have. This book holds a special place in my heart, and it is something I’ll come back to every few years.

Hrishikesh Bhaskaran

This is the first book I've ever read (other than balarama and kalikkudukka). 
I simply loved it..

Yuki lim 

It's a beautifully written book. Felt so attached to everyone in the book that I didn't want it to come to an end. I find it really fascinating how elementary schools such as tomoe gakuen existed in the past. If the many schools today adopted such teaching styles, it could shape the lives of numerous children more positively. I'd do anything to attend tomoe gakuen!

Nadine 

A tale simply told but a wonderful reminder of what it means to be a great educator in particular to the students who need it most.

Christina

Truly warm and endearing. 
A very easy read that leaves you flipping pages through one amusing episode after the other. This one's going to stick with me for a long, long time. :)

Debbie

Sampai sekarang saya masih bertanya-tanya mengapa pada tahun-tahun sebelumnya saya biarkan buku ini begitu saja di toko buku tiap kali saya berkunjung tanpa berpikir untuk mengadopsinya? Tapi pada akhirnya buku ini pun telah saya baca dalam sehari. 

Buku yang berdasarkan kisah nyata dari penulisnya sendiri, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi a.k.a Totto-chan. Buku ini berisi tentang cerita masa kecil Totto-chan mulai dari Totto-chan yang dikeluarkan dari sekolah saat duduk di kelas 1 sekolah dasar, kemudian pindah ke Tomoe Gakuen, sekolah dengan sistem pendidikan yang berbeda dengan sekolah konvensional lainnya dimana murid-murid bebas memulai pelajaran apa saja sesuai dengan minat mereka, dan kejadian-kejadian seru yang dialami Totto-chan bersama kawan-kawannya di Tomoe, kepala sekolah, dan juga keluarganya. 

Saya juga salut dengan Tn. Kobayashi, pendiri sekaligus kepala sekolah Tomoe Gakuen. Beliau benar-benar paham dengan anak-anak. Tn.Kobayashi mengajarkan bahwa anak-anak dapat tumbuh kreatif dan optimal apabila sebagai orang dewasa kita dapat memahami dan menjadi sahabat mereka, bukan malah menjadi sosok yang ditakuti mereka. 

Kisah yang sangat inspiratif. Selain itu, kepolosan Totto-chan membuat buku ini begitu menyenangkan untuk dibaca. Buku yang layak dibaca oleh setiap pembaca, terlebih lagi untuk pengajar dan orangtua.

sazura

Simple comme un haïku, belle comme un cerisier en fleurs, pleine d'espérance comme une petite fille de 6 ans, cette histoire vraie offre un regard clairvoyant sur les enfants et l'école. Tokyo, début des années 1940. Tetsuko, alias " Totto-chan " mène la vie dure à son institutrice... jusqu'à se faire renvoyer de son école primaire, peu de temps après y être entrée. Ses parents l'inscrivent alors à Tomoe, petite école éprise de liberté où de vieux wagons font office de salles de classe. A Tomoe, l'expérience de la vie est aussi importante que les leçons. Et grâce à son directeur atypique, Totto-chan réapprend à respecter les autres et à se respecter elle-même. Elle prend goût à l'étude, assume ses échecs et gagne en autonomie ; écrit des haïkus, rêve de danser " Le lac des cygnes "... Mais elle comprend aussi ce qu'est le racisme, l'intolérance, et découvre la guerre. En 1945, Tomoe est détruite par les bombardements. Mais en quelques années seulement, cette école pas comme les autres aura déterminé la vie entière de Totto-chan.

Totto-Chan The Little Girl at the Window

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