PAMELA S. TURNER
 
The real Hachiko!
Hachiko greeting schoolchildren
Hachiko and admirers
My book has been translated into Japanese (And given a new cover).
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HACHIKO: THE TRUE STORY OF A LOYAL DOGLATEST NEWS..."Hachiko: A Dog's Tale," starring Richard Gere, is opening December 18th in the U.S. It's a fictionalized, Americanized version but I hope it will be true to the spirit of the real events in Japan.
Hardback ISBN 978-0618140947; paperback ISBN 978-0547237558
*Golden Kite Honor Award *Junior Library Guild selection *CHILD Magazine Best Book of the Year *BCCB Blue Ribbon List *Parent's Choice Foundation Silver Award *BOOKLIST Editor's Choice *ASPCA Henry Bergh Honor Award *Miami Herald Best Book of the Year *NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book *IRA Teacher's Choice *Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award 
More HACHIKO Reviews: Common Sense Media: "Like a Japanese haiku, this is as notable for what is missing as for what is present. Based on a true story, it is spare, elegant, without any cloying Western sentimentality--no tugging at the heartstrings, no anthropomorphizing, no dramatic death scenes, just a matter-of-fact telling of an affecting true story through the eyes of a fictional boy." 
At the statue in Shibuya during a recent Tokyo visit
"Told through the eyes of a 6-year-old Japanese boy, this touching true story of loyalty will resonate with any child (or adult) who has ever loved a dog." Booklist starred review: "This beautifully crafted picture book pays tribute to one of the world's lesser-known animal heroes: Hachiko...Turner unfolds this poignant true story in the natural, unaffected voice of Kentaro, a fictional little boy, who wonders at the dog's unswerving devotion. Unobtrusive details evoke a sense of place ("ladies in kimonos walked carefully, trying to keep their white tabi socks away from the grime of the streets"), as does Nascimbene's spare line-and-watercolor artwork, reminiscent of Japanese woodblock prints...this will resonate with any child who has loved a dog and been loved in return." School Library Journal: "The softly hued watercolor illustrations have a simplicity that brings to mind the style of Japanese woodcuts. Each small image of Hachiko expresses the personality of this furry, gentle creature...this touching tale will capture the hearts of young dog lovers." Kirkus Reviews: "The story is told gently, in a thoughtful, restrained way that makes the reader admire the faithful dog rather than pity him." San Francisco Chronicle: "The story of a real dog that became an icon in Japan is movingly told in "Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog"...the book's gentle tone, compelling story and exquisite art are a winning combination." The Horn Book: "The austere elegance of Nascimbene's watercolors matches the suitably distant and subdued tone of quiet dignity in Turner's text. The admirably unsentimental presentation closes with an author's note that provides more of the details behind the story." Lawrence Journal-World: "Movingly written by Pamela S. Turner, with perfectly suited illustrations by Yan Nascimbene, HACHIKO engages readers and listeners with its directness and sincerity. This real-life drama is immediately compelling...little children will learn the meaning of devotion, at all levels, from this." Parents' Press: "HACHIKO is certainly the most aesthetic work for children we've seen this year, and a prose poem to dogs' ultimate virtue: loyalty....this simply written fable makes its points with graceful restraint. Highly recommended." Dallas Morning News: "This true story of Hachiko's love for Dr. Ueno is at once sad and wonderful." |
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