Hachiko Waits facts for kids
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| Author | Lesléa Newman |
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| Cover artist | Machiyo Kodaira |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's - Young Adult |
| Publisher | Henry Holt and Company, LLC |
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Publication date
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Fall 2004 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 96 pp |
| ISBN | 0-8050-7336-1 |
| OCLC | 54407914 |
| LC Class | PZ7.N47988 Hac 2004 |
Hachiko Waits is a children's book written by Lesléa Newman. It was illustrated by Machiyo Kodaira. This book tells the true story of Hachikō, a loyal Akita dog from Japan. The author added a young boy named Yasuo to the story. The book won several awards for its heartwarming tale.
Contents
Hachiko's Amazing Story
The book begins with Professor Hidesaburō Ueno and his dog, Hachikō. They had a special routine every day. In April 1924, Hachikō was just six months old. One day, he followed the Professor to the train station. The Professor told him to go home, but Hachikō kept going.
At the station, the Station Master, Mr. Yoshikawa, agreed to watch Hachikō. There, a six-year-old boy named Yasuo met the dog. Hachikō waited patiently. At five minutes to three, the Professor's train arrived. This became their daily habit.
A Loyal Friend's Wait
This special routine continued for a whole year. But one afternoon, the Professor's train arrived, and he was not on it. Yasuo soon learned that the Professor had sadly passed away. He had suffered a heart attack.
Hachikō waited at the station until the very last train arrived at midnight. It was very difficult, but Yasuo finally took Hachikō to his house. However, Hachikō escaped the next morning. At five minutes to three, he was back at the station. He was waiting for the Professor, just like always.
Hachiko Becomes Famous
For the next ten years, Hachikō came to the station every afternoon. He always waited for the Professor to arrive. Yasuo and the Station Master took good care of him. A newspaper wrote an article about Hachikō's incredible loyalty. Soon, he became famous all over Japan.
A Lasting Memory
On the day Hachikō passed away, Yasuo was sixteen years old. He met a famous artist. This artist wanted to create a statue of the devoted dog. Once the statue was finished, it also became very famous. Through the statue, Yasuo met the girl he would marry ten years later.
Awards and Recognition
Hachiko Waits has received many honors for its touching story:
- Winner, Dog Writer's Association of America Best Book of Fiction, 2005
- Winner, Alabama Emphasis on Reading Children's Choice Book Award, 2005–2006
- Third Place Winner, Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award of Illinois, 2007–2008
- Honor Book, National Christian Schools Association Children's Crown Award, 2007–2008
- Honor Book, ASPCA Henry Bergh Award, 2005
- Honor Book, Kiriyama Prize, 2005
- Finalist, Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award, 2007–2008
- Finalist, Iowa Children's Choice Award 2007–2008
- Finalist, Kansas William Allen White Children's Book Award, 2006-2007
- Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year, 2005
