Moja Hirošima - わたしのヒロシマ

by Junko Morimoto, Urban Belina (Translator), Gašper Malej (Editor)

Slikanica Moja Hirošima na neposreden, odprt in dostopen način opiše izkušnjo Junko Morimoto, ki je kot otrok preživela eksplozijo atomske bombe v Hirošimi. Tragični dogodek jo je seveda močno zaznamoval, zato je ta hibakuša, kot preživelim pravijo na Japonskem, svoje življenje posvetila širjenju sporočila miru. S svojimi ilustracijami in preprostim jezikom zelo nazorno prikaže vse razsežnosti tega grozodejstva skozi otroško perspektivo, kar slikanici omogoča, da se dotakne vsakega človeka. Svet brez jedrskega orožja je mogoč le, če si ga želimo in si prizadevamo zanj. V duhu japonsko-slovenskega prijateljstva slikanico izdajamo v obeh jezikih.

Slovensko-japonska izdaja slikanice izhaja pod pokroviteljstvom Slovenske nacionalne komisije za UNESCO.

Podrobneje na spletišču prevajalca.

Genres: Picture Books, Japan, History, War, World War II, Nonfiction, Asia

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Junko Morimoto (1932–) graduated from Kyoto University of Fine Art and worked as an art teacher at an Osaka high school before becoming Art Director of the Children's Art Studio in Osaka. Her books, which include The Inch Boy, Mouse's Marriage, and My Hiroshima, have been published in the United States, Japan, Australia, England, and other European countries. My Hiroshima is now used as a text in Hiroshima high schools to study English and to promote peace. Junko currently lives in Australia.

Reviews

[Jack Kirby and the X-man · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this is a picture book, and the language would be accessable by children, the content is harrowing. Approach with care - read it first yourself and be prepared to guide your child through this book.

This book tells the story of a young girl who lived in a city called Hiroshima. It tells of the relatively carefree 1930s - her love of drawing, dislike of school, playing with friends and watching fireworks with her family during summer. It then plots the increasing militarisation of the general population, seen by her by having to wear special clothes and attend military training during school holidays.

Then the bomb drops.

Junko's illustrations, as always, are spot on. I particularly like the picture of the single B-29 (which we know is the Enola Gay) flying at high altitude - it looks so innocuous.

The illustrations of the aftereffects are disturbing - but accurately reflect the true impact of a nuclear blast on the human body. My most haunting memory of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was the images of people with their skin hanging from their fingernails - and this has been illustrated by Junko in this book... Pretty powerful.

A must read - but go in with your eyes wide open as if you were going to read All Quiet on the Western Front rather than Where's Spot.

[Tone Reinertsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is author Junko Morimoto's own memories of the bombing of city Hiroshima 6th of August 1945 when she was a young girl. This is a picture book with a different picture on each page which is sometimes accompanied by a couple of lines. At one page when the bombing happened, the picture shows Junko and her sister clutching each other while they are surrounded by a brown cloud. You can't see anything else around them, and I feel like this creates a sense of the chaos and horror that they must have felt, while not quite knowing what is happening around them. Sometimes the pictures doesn't show what is told in the text, and I think that could be because it is a children's book and the author doesn't try to gloss over what happened, and the details can get quite brutal at times. I do think it is important to not gloss over history though, and the author herself has written at the end of the book that she feels that it is important to tell the history to children so that it won't be repeated. And I agree with her. While some pictures and details of the story can be brutal I believe that children can be told any story as long as they have an adult to talk about their experience with afterwards. Themes such as death and war doesn't have to be taboo as long as the children gets a chance to process their thoughts. One literary device the author used that I liked was that she changed the pictures at the end of the story from drawn pictures to pictures taken with a camera of herself visiting the site where her school had once been and two pictures side by side of what Hiroshima looked like when she visited as an adult. I felt like this effect made the story more real to me and I was a little taken aback because it made me a little emotional. Overall I don't see a reason not to read this book to a child, but I think it's important to talk about the story beforehand, afterwards and while reading, and listen to what the child has to say.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked into a dingy hotel with my school tour group and found this sitting on the bench in the room. Yes, it’s a children’s picture book, but as you can imagine the content matter was certainly beyond what most children are capable of imagining. The language itself is accessible, in both English and Japanese (I read the bilingual version), and the pictures are quite harrowing. I can imagine it being a strong teaching resource as you could explore empathy and the horrors of war. Structurally it is reflects the day-to-day life of the Japanese prior to the war, and then the horrific reality of what atomic bombs can do to people. I certainly appreciate how challenging it would have been writing this from the author’s perspective as they’re recounting their first-hand experiences.

[Abbie Stagg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a powerful non-fiction book, written by a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing. It shows the bombing from the perspective of someone who experienced it, and knew Hiroshima before the horrific event occured. It highlights the beauty of the city before the bomb was dropped, something not really seen since, which is a great perspective to see. However, it also shows the horror and pain experience during the attack, displaying how unexpected it was and the travesty that came with it. This would be a very useful book within a History book, not only to teach about the effects of the bomb being dropped on Hiroshima, but also the effect that war has in general.

[Harriet Themans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real life sadness and devastation... the mixture between illustrations and photos are hard hitting and this book tells the story of a young child growing up in Hiroshima during the outbreak and conflict of the Second World War and his experience of the infamous nuclear bombing on Japan in August 1945 and its aftermath

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for teaching empathy vs. sympathy in 8th grade.

On August 6, 2018, seventy-three years ago, the U.S. dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Three days later, on August 9, 1945, a second bomb destroyed the Japanese city of Nagasaki.

Empathy and sympathy are not mentioned in the CC standards, but I took as many opportunities as I could to teach students the difference between the two. Sympathy comes from understanding another's plight or suffering; empathy is when we share in their feelings because those feelings are rooted in our own experiences of the same.

As I've mentioned before, students today have had very few experiences with war on a national, or world-wide, scale. I used this picture book to teach CC Standards in Social Studies for 8th grade, 1SS.C8.PO6, and helping students understand what happened to Japan's population after the US dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

As an anticipatory set, I asked students to listen and then write about the feelings and images this piece of music, Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima, invoked in them as they listened.

Then, they watched an awesome book reading and interview with survivor, illustrator and author Junko Morimoto, by the Australian Red Cross. I bought class copies of the books, and students followed along.

Students then paired reading documents and discussion with a lesson in which students considered both viewpoints - US and Japanese - through graphic organizers and supplemental readings. A Google search will reveal many such lessons available online, so choose the one that works best for your students and classroom.

The music set the tone, and Morimoto's book helped students to build vital background knowledge to be able to read and understand other, short, selected passages about the bombing of Hiroshima.

For the links and teaching materials mentioned in this review, visit my blog: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/blog/tea...

[Chris Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Powerful and deeply provoking.

It is a must read for everyone.

Hiroshima is a word synonymous with death and destruction and possibly the single most destructive moment in human history. It is a book which educates the reader on what life was like for the Japanese during WWII, a pro war culture.

It is also fantastic book yet again encouraging adults to educate children on learning from previous mistakes.

[Kaylin Kojima · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Hiroshima is a powerful picture book, showing the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945 from the perspective of a child. The story shows life before and after the bombing in World War II through text and illustrations that capture the horror and devastation of war. Prior to the bombing, the little girl was a happy child who loved to draw and play games with her friends. As she grows up, she notices her country and life around her start to change because of the war. After the bombing on August 6th, she shares the mental and physical struggles she faces `after the war.
I thought this book was very powerful and emotional, while addressing historic events in a child-appropriate way. I would definitely recommend this book and adding it to your classroom library. Although serious and sometimes disturbing, children can learn history from this book and start discussions.
This book could be used in the classroom to introduce and learn about World War II. After reading this book, students can discuss and further research the effects of nuclear bombs and the effect that a war can have in general. Teachers can further discuss and teach the importance of respecting human life. This would be a good social studies activity for upper elementary grades (3-5).

[Meg]

A harrowing tale, written in a style that young children will be able to understand, with effective illustrations. Not a picture book which I will forget in a hurry, and definitely not a bedtime book.

Whilst the children may not understand that this book is in effect a partial autobiography, as adults we can. It is our responsibility to help children understand that this really did happen. This book would be an excellent teaching aid for primary school, and I think that even the older children would get something from it.

In the author's note at the end of the book she states:
"My message is that the war and the atomic bombs were not simply historical events, distanced by time. I will be happy if a deeper understanding is gained through reading the experiences of a child living through that horrible event and its aftermath."

This simple statement will stay with me for some time.

Even as an adult it is sometimes difficult to remember that there are still people alive today who lived through the atrocities of the world war(s), and that it is not just a distant historical event, a concept that must be so much harder for children.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Hiroshima by Junko Morimoto Translator Anie Bower Ingram & Isao Morimoto- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- In the city of Hiroshima, Japan a family of 4 children, two brothers, two sisters resides with their parents. Hiroshima is a naturally beautiful city with 7 rivers and a hill on one side. The child is an artist. In school, he like his drawing teacher. In the evening he plays with Fumi and Haruko. World War II begins when the child is in High School. Food items are less. On 06 August 1945 at 8.15 AM siren blows showing Air warning. The family moves to a cave. After some time, at 8.35 AM, he saw a flash of light. He fainted. People are leaving Hiroshima. People have expired because of holocaust. Dead bodies were burnt. City was destroyed. Schools were converted in to hospitals. After 6 months, things were better. He started going to school. 70,00 people died immediately, 70,000 people died of burns and injuries. I have read this book in Hindi language. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story.

[Miranda Rogne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Hiroshima.
Personal Narrative/ Nonfiction

This is a story about a young girls life before and after the bombing of Hiroshima during world war II. She was a very happy girl that loved to go to school, loved where she lived, and loved her family , but on August 6th her town was attacked by an atomic bomb that was very devastating to the city and the people around her. In this book she shared about the struggles she went through mentally and physically. I would teach this to my children by reading the story out loud and having them thing about this event in history, or I Would definitely read this book as a class as individual readers. I believe this should be taught because so many people’s lives were affected by the bombings of world war II. I think is important that students know what happened before them and it is much easier than reading a text book.

[Hannah Parson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For years four five and six. Split into two halves with the first set optimistically in the past tense foreboding that something is going to change/ something bad is going to happen. Tells the story of life before and after the Hiroshima bombing in World War two from a child's perspective so children can understand and sympathise with the protagonist. The ending is not entirely optimistic which is rare in a picture book prompting discussion of topics such as death, war and grief. Very emotive and graphic pictures which some children may find distressing however also provoke discussion. It is really important that children learn about historic events and Morimoto makes this content accessible for young readers to understand.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this story by a Hiroshima survivor after picking it up from the museum at Hiroshima on my second visit there almost exactly five years ago. Today I got my eight-year-old to read it to me. It’s affecting and educational at the same time, as well as being true. The words aren’t too graphic but the pictures are and it’s important to know, even at a reasonably young age, that the event was horrific. A very good little book.

[E. Reitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally read it as a small child; it lodged in my memory and I couldn't remember the title until today; I read the first edition, so it's haunted me for decades. It's beautiful. If your child reads it, it might be an age appropriate way to introduce them to the horrors of this world, and the beauty in survival and peace. Thank you to the author

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are currently visiting Hiroshima and I wanted to explain the story of the A-Bomb to our six year old in a way that was visual, simple, and profound. Junko's illustrated story does just that. 140,000 individuals lost their lives after the August 6, 1945 A-Bomb in Hiroshima. Never again.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking in its simplicity and the images and the words complement one another beautifully. I was very impressed with the impact that was contained in this short book - I am not surprised that this book is a two time winner of the Picture Book of the Year.

[Gemma Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

My class grumbled when I said we were reading a picture book. They were surprised to find out that it was a true story. The text was engaging with illustrations and a great depiction of Hiroshima in an age appropriate away. A now personal favourite of mine!

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really hard book to read, the words and pictures are both very graphic. It was just very sad and thought provoking

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible text. Honest. Beautifully illustrated and layout, collaging artistic renditions of memory alongside photographic evidence.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A haunting firsthand account of what happened the day Hiroshima was bombed by America.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

My students really liked this book as well. It told the story well from the author’s perspective but wasn’t too graphic for the kids either.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking but powerful words and illustrations.

[GAIL OOSTHUIZEN · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant

[Shibuff Tan]

Very touching book that can be used to introduce the disturbing and irreparable effects of war.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and sad. The book is well done, but the content will be depress you. It should. This is one of the most tragic events in human history, and yet it has the added dimension of contributing to the end of WWII. There's reason to believe that it was done because it was deemed necessary, but it is still so senseless and unspeakably cruel that it's hard to accept. This book left me pondering something that I can't really wrap my head around.

[Cynthia Bower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a well written positive outlook on making a life of goodness after such a tragic experience of the bomb on Hiroshima. Her disfiguring wounds did not stop her from seeking to become educated and serve others in her life. She was also very grateful for the good things that did come into her life. She was not so taken up in anger to overlook the good.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The scariest most depressing, most violent "kids" book I have ever read.

[Valarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing here that is unique to the genre of Hiroshima literature, though it is more age-appropriate than some other books (i.e. Hiroshima no Pika).

[Tanya Windham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by a survivor of the bombing of Hiroshima, this book quickly gets to the heart of the situation.

[Shelby Main · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very emotive, personal story about the events witnessed. The images sent chills down my spine. I felt wrong for reading it. It's brilliant!