Totto Chan

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₹140.00

Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window is an autobiographical memoir by Japanese television personality Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, recounting her childhood experiences at Tomoe Gakuen, an unconventional school in Tokyo during World War II. The book celebrates creativity, individuality, and progressive education through the lens of a spirited young girl

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The book follows Totto-chan, a curious and energetic girl expelled from traditional school for disruptive behavior (e.g., chatting with street musicians and staring out windows). Her mother enrolls her in Tomoe Gakuen, a school founded by educator Sosaku Kobayashi, where classrooms are repurposed railroad cars and learning is student-directed 16. Key Themes: Alternative Education: Tomoe’s philosophy emphasizes freedom, trust, and experiential learning (e.g., farming, music, and nature walks) 1113. Empathy & Inclusion: The school integrates disabled students, fostering mutual respect 1. War & Resilience: The shadow of WWII looms, with shortages and bombings subtly depicted through a child’s perspective 4. The narrative, told with childlike wonder, critiques rigid schooling while championing joy and curiosity 29.

Key Features

Genre: Autobiographical memoir / Children’s literature 1. Language: Originally Japanese, translated into 30+ languages (e.g., English, Malayalam, Hindi) 113. Style: Short, vignette-like chapters with illustrations by Chihiro Iwasaki 6. Awards: Japan’s bestselling book (4.5M copies in first year) 3.