Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window

A review of a novel

“The inspiring novel which alters your perspective about Education”

Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window

written by : FIDELIS ELLENY AVERINA

Rate : 5/5

Have you ever read a book that is related to education? Is it a novel? Or probably a book which contains some theories of education? Well, I bet most of us in today’s generation feel reluctant to read articles or books which are related to education because we might think that kind of books are dull and boring. We would rather read magazines or fiction novels which entertain us than read some books which contain pedagogical method. Fortunately, I found one very inspiring novel, which is still related to education, that will alter your perspective about education and school. The title of the novel is Totto-Chan: The little girl at the window. This best-seller novel was written by a Japanese actress named Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. She wrote this novel as a memoir based on her real-life experience in her childhood at Tomoe Gakuen Primary School in Japan during the World War II. This novel has been translated into various languages and has been distributed worldwide. The English version was translated by Dorothy Britton.

 The novel tells us about the little girl called Toto Chan who is marked as a disobedient girl because she is a kind of girl who likes to express her feelings, curiosity and thoughts; and explore her surroundings every time and everywhere. Her unique personality is considered as some kind of disturbance by her teacher. Therefore, she is expelled from her former school. Her mother takes her to Tomoe Gakuen School where children are allowed to express themselves openly and to be who they truly are. In the new school, Totto-Chan meets the headmaster of that school named Mr Kobayashi. Thus, from that moment the friendship is formed between her and the headmaster. The book continues by portraying how unique and special that school is - including train-carriages that are used as the classroom, the amusing yet stimulating teaching and learning atmosphere in that school, the students' freedom to choose their own materials that become their interest, and warm friendship among all school members. Moreover, the lovable and heart-warming headmaster who always treats all students equally makes the students feel accepted and encouraged. What makes students love Mr Kobayashi even more, is because he is always willing to listen to what students want to say. He also encourages them by saying that each one of them is special.

 One thing that is really special from that school is that their teachers allow them to express themselves freely by singing, dancing, going out to nature, cooking and doing other fun activities. You will not find any rigid, dull and boring education system that frustrates the students in that school. Yet the students still have an eagerness to study. Furthermore, this education system isn’t meant to create robots but the true human being with love, dignity and empathy towards others and nature. Through the ups and downs that Toto-Chan has experienced, she discovers herself and the world around her. The story inspires us in a unique way through the innocence of the children especially on how they perceive the world and people around them. You might find the strong bond that is built among the characters based on affection, respect, and love. The curriculum which is specifically designed to allow students to experience genuine and meaningful learning really makes the students grow to be people who care with others and surroundings. All those touching moments are beautifully written in this novel that the reader can feel as if they have experienced them firsthand.

As we know, very occasionally a novel can alter our thinking and perspective about something. Frankly speaking, this novel has given me a broader point of view about education and made me think deeply about the true value of education. In addition, the figure of the headmaster in this novel can be the perfect role model for all the teachers and educators. Finally, to end my review, this must-read novel is very worth reading that I recommend you read it, especially for those who are going to be the future educators who have the responsibility to transform education and shape the future generation.