Blog 21: Totto-chan / Tetsuko Kuroyanagi

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Jordan Miles 

Totto-chan / Tetsuko Kuroyanagi

"Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window" is a memoir by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi that tells the story of her childhood and her experiences at a unique elementary school in Tokyo during the 1940s. The book emphasizes the importance of education and how the right kind of teaching can make a huge difference in a child's life. Totto-chan was expelled from her previous school because she was a very talkative child and her behavior was seen as disruptive. Her mother was worried about her future education, but she found a new school that was very different from the traditional schools she had attended before.

At the new school, Totto-chan found a warm and welcoming environment where she was allowed to be herself and express her opinions freely. She describes how the school created an environment that fostered creativity, curiosity, and independence in the children. It encouraged them to explore their interests and learn in their own ways, which allowed them to develop a love of learning that stayed with them throughout their lives. She also shows how the children in the school came from a variety of backgrounds and had different abilities, but they all thrived in this environment. Totto-chan herself is portrayed as a curious, intelligent child who overcomes many obstacles in her life with the help of her supportive family and the school. Overall, "Totto-chan" demonstrates how education can be used for good in the world, even during difficult circumstances. This helps children like her to develop their own uniqueness and remain asking questions about interests and seeking to learn more throughout life. 

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