Totto-chan

This book was written by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. This engaging series of childhood recollections tells about an ideal school in Tokyo during world war II that combine learning with fun, love and freedom. This unusual school had old railway car 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. The writer had written the book in order to tell people about her great teacher, Mr Kobayashi. This book is actually the real life story of the writer.

My mother had been asking me to read this book since 2 years ago. However, I remained indifferent. So, since she knew that my English assignment was to read four book, she bought the book and forced me to read it! However, I was greatly amused by Totto-chan's innocence.The part where she opened and closed her desk flap and was expelled for irritating the teacher.

There was also a part when my brows knitted together as I read the part where Totto-chan dropped her purse into the toilet. and as the toilet had no flush, she scooped up the poo from the cesspool and goodness me, the headmaster asked what Totto-chan was doing and left. The headmaster, just asked her to return the poo to its original place. So she did it.I was laughing madly by then.

There was once, she played about the barbed wire. She got mum's favourite dress torn and made up a lie saying some children threw knives at her.However, mum did not scold her for lying but knew she lied as she felt bad. The mum was really compassionate.(85)

Curiosity kills the cat. Totto-chan ran and jumped onto some newspaper. But, unfortunately the newspaper was there to cover the hole of the cesspool and she fell into it.(90-91)

Takahashi was the shortest and hands were very short too. However, every year, in the Sports Day events, Takahashi would be first.(103)

During a field kitchen, Totto-chan chopped the food skillfully and even advised the older children.(139)

These are some interesting parts of the story. The story began with Totto-chan disrupting the class and being expelled. Then, her mother bought her to Tomoe Gakuen, which was this unusual school with old railway cars as classrooms. The pupils there were very few. This special school allows students to start with the subject of their choice and did not have a fixed curriculum. This story shows the different ways Mr Kobayashi helped and treated the children with affection. I admired Mr Kobayashi as he was really compassionate and the contribution for the children. At the end of the story, Tomoe was burnt down. The bombs fell on the railway cars which served to be classroom. I was sad. It was Mr Kobayashi's dream, however, he was still optimistic. On the whole, the story was interesting and I hope my friends would have a chance to enjoy this book. I still can't believe that this book with such a boring book cover and colour-pink,could be so interesting. So, do not judge a book by its cover.