Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin

June 23, 2014
Inspired by her talented violinist grandfather, Hana signs up to perform at the school talent show—never mind that she’s only had three lessons so far. Hana’s brothers mock her, her parents listen attentively as she practices, and on the day of the talent show, Hana’s uncertainty gives way to inspiration. Uegaki (Rosie and Buttercup) and Leng (Norman, Speak!) are a well-matched and complementary pairing. Uegaki’s prose is dense with detail-rich imagery—during a visit to Japan to stay with Ojiichan, “the clear, bright notes” of her grandfather’s violin “would drift upstairs, through the shoji screen doors to where Hana slept on sweet-smelling tatami mats, and coax her awake as gently as sunshine.” Leng’s digitally colored pencil drawings have the airiness of a violin solo, while still capturing the emotions Hana wrestles with as her performance looms. When she first approaches the microphone, she’s seen crossing an expansive, empty stage, a tiny figure in a red dress against a foreboding sea of gray. Hana’s clever triumph is testament to her inventiveness, perceptiveness, and dedication. Ages 4–8. Illustrator’s agency: Shannon Associates.

July 15, 2014
When Hana Hashimoto signs up for the school talent show after only three violin lessons, her brothers laugh, but with diligent practice, she learns to make some surprising sounds.Long ago, Hana's grandfather Ojiichan was a professional violinist in Japan. When she and her brothers visited him the previous summer, he would play for them. She loved to hear what he could do with his instrument. Not only did he play classical pieces, he could play songs, imitate natural sounds and compose melodies for dancing fireflies. Hana hopes to learn to play like that. Uegaki's narrative and Leng's pleasing illustrations, spreads and vignettes drawn with pencil and digitally colored, seamlessly incorporate details of both Japanese and North American life. Hana practices every day. She plays for her unappreciative brothers, attentive parents, curious dog or a row of empty chairs (one holding a picture of her grandfather). When it's time to perform, she worries and waits with "a walloping heart." Two moving spreads show the small child on a vast stage, emphasizing her sudden anxiety and the relief of finding friendly faces in the audience.This sweet multicultural story will resonate with anyone who has experienced stage fright, but Hana's achievement will be particularly satisfying to young string players who have made some unusual music themselves. (Picture book. 5-8)

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September 1, 2014

K-Gr 2-During a summer visit to Japan with her older brothers, Hana Hashimoto listens attentively to the music of her grandfather. Each day, Ojiichan practices classical music he performed as a violist with a symphony, and in the evening, he creates sounds like crickets chirping or raindrops falling on umbrellas. Back home, Hana starts studying violin and after only three lessons signs up for the school talent show. Despite her brothers' teasing, she practices diligently and overcomes last-minute jitters for a unique performance of sound effects that are inspired by Ojichan's playing but that definitely are her own creations. This low-key story melds a number of themes without didacticism. Hana's determination, hard work, and creativity are bolstered by her connections to her grandfather and supportive parents. Even her brothers ask for after-dinner encores following her success. Leng's illustrations incorporate musical notes that link the lives of the grandfather and granddaughter. The illustrations also capture Hana's emotions, particularly during the talent show. First, the stage stretches endlessly before her until she spots friends and family in the audience, then she imagines Ojiichan's encouraging presence. The quiet story would make a fine addition to most libraries.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University Library, Mankato

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2014
Grades K-3 Inspired by her grandfather during a family trip to Japan, Hana takes up the violin and three weeks later decides to show off her new love for its music at the school talent show. However, as her older brothers are quick to point out, she can barely play it and she is more than likely to embarrass herself in front of the audience. But Hana cleverly comes up with a plan to demonstrate her burgeoning violin talents, even if she can't yet play a tune. Uegaki's gentle narrative and pacing are fully matched by Leng's warm pencil and digitally colored illustrations to tell the story of Hana's well-executed plan. A truly diverse cast includes Hana's supportive but realistic parents, her retired virtuoso grandfather, and the classmates and their families. Combining a love for music, artful storytelling, and beautifully evocative visuals, this will likely inspire young musicians to discover how to use their nascent skills creatively, even if they haven't completely mastered their instruments yet.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

September 1, 2014
Despite her brothers' teasing, little Hana plans to play her violin at the talent show. True, she's only a beginner, but Hana is a stalwart and determined young lady, practicing every day and performing for any audience that will listen, including a framed picture of her grandfather. Ojiichan is her musical inspiration, a former orchestral violinist who, during Hana's recent visit to Japan, played his instrument for her all through the day. In the genial, lighthearted illustrations, musical notes drift upstairs to wake Hana "as gently as sunshine"; waft through the "indigo evenings"; and cover her "like a blanket" as Ojiichan plays a lullaby. His violin also makes sounds--crickets, raindrops--and melodies that seem to encourage fireflies to dance. When Hana finally steps onto the talent-show stage (on a double-page spread that captures how long her walk to the microphone feels and the immensity of both stage and beyond), she is terrified. But she remembers her grandfather's advice to do her best and proceeds to give an, ahem, memorable performance: Hana's violin mimics the sounds of a ("squawky") mother crow, a (yowling) cat, bees, cows, mice, frogs, and more. "And that," she declares, "is how I play the violin." The final illustration shows musical notes traveling out her bedroom window to Ojiichan. And that, folks, is how you tell a completely charming yet refreshingly unsentimental tale of an intergenerational bond of love. jennifer m. brabander

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2015
Hana practices violin every day for a talent show. Her grandfather Ojiichan, a former orchestral violinist, is her musical inspiration. When she finally steps onto the stage, she gives an, ahem, memorable performance. Leng's illustrations are genial and lighthearted; the final one shows musical notes traveling out of Hana's bedroom window to Ojiichan. A completely charming, refreshingly unsentimental tale of intergenerational family love.

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)