"Seki tells us not only a beautiful story, but on every page he has richly painted images of Yuko-Chan, her Daruma Dolls, and her village that bring the words-both in English and in Japanese-to life." - Story Circle Book Reviews
Additional Reviews:
" Yuko-Chan and the Daruma Doll emphasizes cooperation, altruism, and the importance of community. Entertaining as a story, Yuko-Chan and the Daruma Doll also offers adults opportunities for positive interaction with kids, discussing ideas in the book and how they relate to everyone's life." — Bob on Books blog
"Spunk and humour, this book is full of both. Often books about cultures very different to our own are hard for children to relate to. The text and illustrations are overflowing with information about Japan, but with the comic illustrative style and courageous heroine, the cultural insights will be readily absorbed by readers." — Miss Marple's Musings blog
"This is beautiful bilingual book in both English and Japanese, the values taught here are invaluable. It encourages you and your child to be resourceful, compassionate towards other people and seeing disasters as opportunities and doors for endless possibilities. It speaks the value of cooperation and being part of a community. Children can be inspired to create things for the good of everyone and lastly, Yuko-chan's real positive character can let your child see that what is inside is more important than the imperfect abilities one is born with." — Dulaboo blog
"Seki tells us not only a beautiful story, but on every page he has richly painted images of Yuko-Chan, her Daruma Dolls, and her village that bring the words—both in English and in Japanese—to life. As a grandmother, I found this story to be sweet and inspiring. I think younger readers (and the young at heart) will enjoy it also." — blogStory Circle Book Reviews
"I love that her triumph is in a clever idea (not a physical feat) showing kids that one good idea can really change everything! I also love that the main character is blind, yet that doesn't slow her down in any way. It's just a fact, not a problem." — Wonder Baby blog
"There's magic in this story. While simply told, there's something in it that stirs the heart and imagination." — California Kids! Family Fun Guide
**2012 Creative Child Magazine Book of the Year Award Winner!**
Yuko-chan and the Daruma Doll, a gorgeous multicultural children's book by author/illustrator Sunny Seki, takes readers on a journey into ancient Japan and the story behind the famous Daruma Doll.
Yuko-chan, an adventurous blind orphan, is able to do amazing things. She confronts a burglar in the dead of night and crosses treacherous mountain passes to deliver food to hungry people. During her travels, Yuko-chan trips and tumbles down a snowy cliff. She discovers a strange thing as she waits for help: her tea gourd, regardless of how she drops it, always lands right-side-up. The tea has frozen in the bottom of the gourd! Inspired by this, she creates the famous Daruma doll toy, which rights itself when tipped—a true symbol of resilience.
Thanks to Yuko-chan's invention, the villagers are able to earn a living and feed themselves by selling the dolls. Yuko-chan never gave up, no matter the obstacles she faced, and the Daruma doll is a charming reminder of the power of perseverance.
With text in English and Japanese, this book is of special interest to bicultural families.
