The first "Totto-chan," published in 1981, recounts Kuroyanagi's childhood adventures and friendships at Tomoe Gakuen, a unique elementary school that encouraged independent thinking. The original ...

The school principal said to the little girl, “Now, you can tell me anything you want. Tell me everything.” The girl started telling him about the speed of the train she’d just ridden, about ...

Tomoe showed how a school can educate children from life ... Yasuki-chan was a friend of Totto-chan’s who was polio-afflicted ...

“Totto-chan: The little girl at the window ... The beloved childhood memoir describes the author’s days at Tomoe Gakuen, a Tokyo school known for its unconventional and inspiring style ...