Thursday, December 1, 2005

Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog


Turner, Pamela. 2004. HACHIKO: THE TRUE STORY OF A LOYAL DOG. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618140948 [Suggested Grade Levels 1-4]

REVIEW
This story is simply told from a boy’s point of view, one whose life is changed forever by his friendship with a very special dog. In 1932, a real dog who lived in Tokyo, faithfully waited for his owner every afternoon. Hachiko would wait daily at the train station for Dr. Ueno. After the man died suddenly in 1925, the animal returned to the station every day to wait for him until he too suddenly died at the train station in 1935. This amazing dog became famous for his loyalty and was adored by the people of Tokyo. A bronze statue was placed at Shibuya Station to honor this incredible dog and an annual April festival celebrating this amazing creature was begun. Illustrated with Yan Nascimbene"s rich watercolors, the legend of Hachiko will touch your heart and inspire you as it has inspired thousands all over the world.

CONNECTIONS
Invite children to talk about amazing animals and the joys they bring to people’s lives.

Bring other heroic dog stories to the book discussion. Discuss with young children how some dogs are trained especially for aiding the handicapped.

Encourage children to draw a picture of their dog (or other animal) hero.

RELATED BOOKS
Foster, Ken. DOG CULTURE: WRITERS ON THE CHARACTER OF CANINES. ISBN 1592285384
Newman, Leslea. HACHIKO WAITS. ISBN 0805073361
Stoecklein, David. COW DOGS: THE COWBOY’S BEST FRIEND. ISBN1931153205

By Kim Southwell

No comments: