Suki's Kimono

2003, Kids Can Press

"After school, as the three sisters walked home together, Mari and Yumi grumbled about their first day.

"No one even notice my new sweater," said Mari.

"No one even noticed my cool shoes," said Yumi.
 
But Suki just smiled."

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Chieri Uegaki

Uegaki (1969 - ) is a Japanese Canadian children's book author. Suki's Kimono, her first published work, was a finalist in the Writer's Union of Canada Writing for Children Competition.

Stephane Jorisch

Jorisch (1956 - ) is a Canadian artist, children's book illustrator and creator for the Cirque de Soleil. He has earned the Governor General's Award -- the Canadian equivalent of the Caldecott -- twice for his illustrations.

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Book Synopsis

A blue-cotton kimono is Suki's favorite possession -- it holds special memories of her Obachan's visit from Japan. Suki wears it proudly to the first day of school no matter what anyone says and surprises her new classmates with a dance from the street festival she visited with her grandmother.

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Picture book, 32 pages. Suki proudly and enthusiastically wears her kimono to the first day of class no matter what anyone says.

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Using Their Words: Six Elements of Social Justice Curriculum Design for the Elementary Classroom, Bree Picower, Montclair State University, 2012.

Learning Options

Family Read Aloud Time
Suki's Kimono is a must read aloud. Family reading time which has books inclusive of many, many other cultures helps children develop a strong sense of respect for differences.

Classroom Resource
Kids Can Press, Canada, provides a wonderful Teaching Guide for Suki's Kimono with an emphasis on diverse ways of being and lived experiences.

Learning at Home
Given that hate crimes against Asian Americans has increase 150% in the past year, Suki's Kimono is not just a good introduction to Japanese American culture - it is also an excellent resource for teaching about bias and prejudice. If you are teaching young and older children at home, this is an excellent opportunity for the older children to create & teach a lesson for the younger ones about respecting diversity. A good place for ideas is The Inclusion Lab's 8 Ways to Show Young Children That Diversity is a Strength.

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