Tall first-year student, short second-year student

Author: (Japanese) Fumiko Fudoh / Peng Yi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: The story of "The Tall First Grader and the Short Second Grader" is as simple as it gets—it's just about a girl and a boy. Chidori is a second-grade girl who is short but strong. Masato is a first-grade boy who is tall and big, yet a crybaby and a timid kid. One day, they meet, and thus, an ordinary story unfolds between the two children. This is a novel depicting the daily lives of young children, known in Japan as "early childhood novels," meaning it is specifically written for first and second-grade elementary students to read themselves. The book was first published in Japan in March 1970. By February 2001, it had been reprinted 173 times in Japan alone, with sales exceeding over a million copies, making it a classic children's book beloved across Japan. Masato, the little boy, is a big first grader, but he is very timid and loves to cry. Chidori, the little girl, is a small second grader, but she is very strong and brave. Many fun stories happen between them. To find the beautiful purple-spotted bellflower, Masato walks alone to a very, very far forest. Along the way, he is scared, hesitates, and even wants to cry, but he insists on going and finally enters the forest, picking the beautiful purple-spotted bellflower. Chidori takes Masato's mother everywhere to look for him, and after many twists and turns, they finally find Masato. Masato and Chidori feel as if they have grown up overnight. The book is full of childlike charm, vividly and delicately portraying the unique psychology and emotions of children. It describes the journey of friendship overcoming cowardice and strength overcoming fear, bringing confidence and inspiration to countless readers.