Yukie's Island
What’s inside...
A moving picture book autobiography about a family’s resilience and path to healing after the devastation of war. It's 1945, the final year of World War II. Yukie Kimura is eight years old. She lives on a tiny island with a lighthouse in the north of Japan with her family, and she knows that the fighting that once felt so far away is getting closer. Mornings spent helping her father tend to the lighthouse and adventuring with her brother are replaced by weeks spent inside, waiting. At some point, Yukie knows, they may be bombed. Then, it happens. One Sunday, bombs are dropped. The war ends soon after that. Everyone tells Yukie there's nothing to be scared of anymore, but she's not so sure. So she watches and she waits―until a miraculous sight finally allows her to be a kid again. This is the true story of Yukie Kimura told in her own words, co-created with her son, illustrator Kodo Kimura, and co-written with bestselling Newbery Honor author Steve Sheinkin. Yukie's Island is an honest, thoughtful, and stirring picture book about being a child living through wartime.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes Yukie's island special?
How do you think Yukie feels when exploring her island, and why?
What would you do if you had an island like Yukie’s?
Can you think of ways to help Yukie take care of her island?
What did you learn from Yukie’s adventures on the island?
Tip: Role play these questions
Ask your child to relate their own experiences to Yukie's adventures. Encourage them to describe what they felt and thought while listening to Yukie's story. Use visual prompts from the book if available, like illustrations, to help them think deeper about the story. Help them understand the moral of the story by relating it to real-life scenarios. Lastly, emphasize the importance of nature and conservation, inspired by Yukie’s love for her island.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The protagonist, Miko, embarks on a journey where she meets various creatures with different challenges, helping her to understand and empathize with their situations.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate the feelings and perspectives of others, promoting kindness and collaboration in school and play.
Example Lesson: Courage and resilience
Explanation: Miko faces numerous obstacles on her adventure that she overcomes with bravery. Her resilience in the face of adversity teaches children the value of persistence.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to face their fears and challenges head-on, whether it's trying out for a new sport or standing up for themselves and others.
Example Lesson: The importance of curiosity
Explanation: Miko's inquisitive nature leads her to explore new areas of the island, which serves as a catalyst for the plot and her personal growth.
Real-World Application: By fostering curiosity, children can become lifelong learners, eagerly exploring new subjects and ideas, both academically and in their everyday interests.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: The island setting is depicted with reverence and care, showing how Miko interacts with her environment in a respectful and sustainable way.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of preserving the environment, encouraging them to take actions like recycling or conserving water at home and in their community.