HACHIKO has won a Parent's Choice Award!
The Parents' Choice Foundation calls HACHIKO "A story of enduring love...sorrow is replaced by wonder at such a long and devoted life. In honoring HACHIKO, the Foundation said, "This small slice of history will find a ready home in children's hearts."
"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."
-Common Sense Media, December 2004
"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."
-4th Annual Best Children's Book Awards, Child Magazine, December 2004
"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."
--Booklist, Starred Review, April 15, 2004.
"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."
--School Library Journal, May 2004
"The story is told gently, in a thoughtful, restrained way that makes the reader admire the faithful dog rather than pity him."
--Kirkus Reviews
"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."
--San Francisco Chronicle, June 6, 2004
"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."
--The Horn Book, July/August 2004
"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."
--Lawrence Journal-World, July 4, 2004
"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."
--Parents' Press, August 2004
"This true story of Hachiko's love for Dr. Ueno is at once sad and wonderful."
--Dallas Morning News, June 9, 2004
