The Cheerful Heart

by Elizabeth Gray Vining

A story of the rebuilding of lives as well as homes in bombed Tokyo, after World War II was over, told through the tale of small Tomi and the Tamaki family.

176 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 1959

About the author

Elizabeth Gray Vining began her distinguished writing career with children's books because she said "they enjoy their books so much, read and re-read them—which is satisfying to a hard-working author." Later she began to write for adults as well, and they, too, read and re-read her books. among the most popular of these books are Windows for the Crown Prince, The Virginia Exiles, Friend of Life, Take Heed of Loving Me, and Flora.
—From the back of "Return To Japan"
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Elizabeth Janet Gray, also known as Elizabeth Gray Vining, was a prominent Quaker, known for having gone to Japan after World War II to tutor Emperor Akihito of Japan in English while he was the Crown Prince. She was a graduate of Bryn Mawr College, and a noted author of children's and adult literature. She won the Newbery Award for Adam of the Road, published in 1942.

Reviews

[Sunny Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required reading for older grade school children. The themes dealt with are timeless: dealing with major world changes as a family, dealing with siblings, and finding one's direction in a changing world are all there for discovery. The introduction to the customs of Japan is delightful. I remember as a child reading this book that I wanted to hear more about Japanese life and as an adult re-reading felt the same. The author has a way of anticipating the questions a child seeks to answer and follows Tomi as she tries to answer them to her own satisfaction. This may be an older book, but I have seen none recently as joyful to read.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this youth book about a Japanese family returning home after the war and the bombing of Tokyo. The main character is likeable and the writing seems amazingly undated despite the fact the book was published in 1959. To be honest, I wish it had been longer. I would have liked to have spent more time with Tomi.