scostner's review against another edition
3.0
This story about a tsunami and its effects on people is based on true stories from the 2011 tsunami that hit the east coast of Japan. As cleanup began after the disaster, there were many reports of belongings from residents along the coast being found by people on the other side of the world. In this story, Kenta drops his soccer ball as he is escaping to the school high on the hill above his village. His ball is swept away by the sea and washed up far away, but a kind person mails it back to him.
The illustrations show everyone evacuating the village and gathering at the school. The text tells of how Kenta's family and all their neighbors sift through the mess that is left behind when the water recedes and they begin to rebuild. The author's note explains that Japanese children have tsunami drills just like kids in the U.S. practice fire drills. The book shows how people cope with disaster and how the kindness of strangers can make a difference.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
The illustrations show everyone evacuating the village and gathering at the school. The text tells of how Kenta's family and all their neighbors sift through the mess that is left behind when the water recedes and they begin to rebuild. The author's note explains that Japanese children have tsunami drills just like kids in the U.S. practice fire drills. The book shows how people cope with disaster and how the kindness of strangers can make a difference.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
bethmitcham's review
5.0
This hit my mood perfectly. I liked the matter of fact tone and the lack of self pity.
tashrow's review
4.0
When the tsunami sirens sounded, Kenta headed up the big hill to the school just as he had practiced. But along the way, he lost hold of his soccer ball and it rolled down the hill. Kenta’s parents were already at the school and when they returned to their house, it was ruined. They had to sleep in the school gym and search in the rubble for things to salvage. But Kenta’s soccer ball had been carried off by the water. Kenta tried making a soccer ball from scraps but it didn’t work well. Meanwhile, his ball was being carried by the ocean until it reached another country. Would it ever find its way back to Kenta?
Ohi has written a very simple but compelling look at surviving a natural disaster. Her focus on a single beloved possession works particularly well. I also appreciated that it was not a doll or a stuffed animal but rather something that older children can relate to. It was also a good choice to not have Kenta and his family in direct peril and survive. The safe status of everything but the ball and other material objects makes it easier for the ball to be important and mean more.
Ohi’s illustrations are filled with color. The yellows of the grass pop against the blues of the ocean. Kenta wears a bright red hoodie and stands out on each page. The time the ball spends in the ocean is particularly lovely and quiet compared to the mess of the town.
Based on true accounts of objects appearing in other countries after the tsunami in Japan, this book celebrates the connection people can have without ever having met. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Ohi has written a very simple but compelling look at surviving a natural disaster. Her focus on a single beloved possession works particularly well. I also appreciated that it was not a doll or a stuffed animal but rather something that older children can relate to. It was also a good choice to not have Kenta and his family in direct peril and survive. The safe status of everything but the ball and other material objects makes it easier for the ball to be important and mean more.
Ohi’s illustrations are filled with color. The yellows of the grass pop against the blues of the ocean. Kenta wears a bright red hoodie and stands out on each page. The time the ball spends in the ocean is particularly lovely and quiet compared to the mess of the town.
Based on true accounts of objects appearing in other countries after the tsunami in Japan, this book celebrates the connection people can have without ever having met. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
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