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Booktalk
#1
If you should happen to visit
Tokyo, Japan, you might be intrigued to find a statue of a dog at the entrance
to Shibuya Train Station. This dog is Hachiko and you will be impressed
to learn his tale of loyalty and love as he waited for ten years for his
master to return from work. This true story captures the real spirit of
devotion and defines the true meaning of “man’s best friend.”. (Jean
B. Bellavance for Pennsylvania
Young Reader's Choice Awards, 2006-2007)
Booktalk #2
Have you ever waited for someone
to come home each day? Imagine walking to the same place every day to meet
your best friend. Imagine watching hundreds of people pass by every morning
and every afternoon. Imagine waiting and waiting and waiting for ten years.
This is what Hachiko did. Hachiko was a real dog that lived in Tokyo, a
dog that
faithfully waited for his
owner at the Shibuya train station long after his owner could not come
to meet him. He became famous for his loyalty and was adored by scores
of people who passed through the station every day. Step into the mind
of Kentaro, a young Japanese boy, as this story of a loyal dog that never
stopped waiting for his owner
unfolds in 1925. Hachiko,
an Akita dog owned by an elderly professor, accompanied his master to the
train station each day to see him off to work. Every day, Hachiko patiently
waited at the station all day for his master to come home, then walked
with him back to their home. When Hachiko’s owner died unexpectedly at
work one day, Hachiko loyally maintained his watch at the station … for
almost ten years. Hachiko became famous for his loyalty, enchanting the
Japanese people, who came to the station in scores just to see the dog
waiting in the same spot each day. When Hachiko eventually died in 1932
while waiting at the station, the people of Tokyo erected a bronze statue
in his honor at Shibuya station in Tokyo. Every April 8th, a festival is
held there in Hachiko’s honor, and people come from near and far to place
flowers, wreaths, and other remembrances on his statue. Hachiko’s statue
remains a favorite meeting place for people in Tokyo today. Prepared by:
Jenny Dilworth for SCASL
Picture Book Awards, 2007-2008) |
