Sadder than expected, but overall a cute and hopeful story. A nice look at what it might feel like to move to America and miss your home and family in Japan. ( )

This is really lovely -- it's a quiet book, but it covers a lot of ground -- moving across the world, learning a new language, making friends, missing loved ones, mourning loved ones. And yet it is serene and the tanka poems only add to the loveliness of the experience. ( )

Sakura's dad gets a new job in America, so she and her parents make the move from their home in Japan. When she arrives in the States, most of all she misses her grandmother and the cherry blossom trees, under which she and her grandmother used to play and picnic. She wonders how she'll ever feel at home in this new place, with its unfamiliar language and landscape. One day, she meets her neighbor, a boy named Luke, and begins to feel a little more settled. When her grandmother becomes ill, though, her family takes a trip back to Japan. Sakura is sad when she returns to the States and once again reflects on all she misses. Luke does his best to cheer her up -- and tells her about a surprise he knows she'll love, but she'll have to wait till spring. In the meantime, Sakura and Luke's friendship blooms and finally, when spring comes, Luke takes her to see the cherry blossom trees flowering right there in her new neighborhood.

Sakura has a special relationship with her grandmother. When she has to move to America and leave her and her cherry blossoms behind she is very sad. She has a hard time adjusting to her new home, but with the help of the little boy next door, she manages. When her grandmother gets ill, they go back to Japan to see her. Sakura is very sad when she returns to her new home and does not want to play with her friend. IN the spring she sees all the cherry blossoms and knows that she will never forget her grandmother.

This is a very sweet story dealing with the death of a loved one. It is important that children know they will not forget them. It also deals with friendship and how a good friend can help in so many ways. The illustrations are delightful and add a gentle feeling to the story. This book will help children who are feeling sad due to loss of a loved one or the loss of their home and old friends. The story was written in the poetry format of Tanka and gives a description of what they are at the end of the book. A nice addition to a family, school or public library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. ( )

Simply lovely! Sweet and simple, delightful illustrations and message about finding home in a new home and still remembering where you came from and those who are important to you. Perfect for Preschool-2nd! ( )