Hachiko Waits

"What a good dog you are. What a fine dog you are. Hachi, you are the best dog in all of Japan." Professor Ueno speaks these words to his faithful dog before boarding the train to work every morning. And every afternoon, just before three o'clock, Hachi is at the train station to greet his beloved master. One day, the train arrives at the station without the professor. Hachi waits. For ten years, Hachi waits for his master to return. Not even Yasuo, the young boy who takes care of Hachi, can persuade him to leave his post. Hachiko Waits, a novel inspired by a true story, brings to life the legendary Akita who became a national symbol for loyalty and devotion. This is a must-read for dog lovers of all ages.

Lesléa Newman is a poet, an animal lover, and the author of Runaway Dreidel!; Cats, Cats, Cats!; and other picture books. Her awards include the Parents’ Choice Silver Medal and a Poetry Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. Visit at her web site: www.lesleakids.com.

Machiyo Kodaira is a native of Tokyo, Japan, and a graduate of Parsons School of Design. Ms. Kodaira is honored to illustrate Hachi’s story, her first book for young readers.

“Hachiko embodies all the best qualities of a dog. He is loyal, brave, gentle, and childlike. Based on a true story from Japan, this is a beautiful tribute to a historic dog.”—Book Sense Pick of the List, Fall 2004
“Lesléa Newman has done an amazing thing. She has written a book that is both profoundly sad and hopeful at the same time. When the world needs such a story, Hachiko Waits shows us the very best in life: loyalty, devotion, our ability to love, to nurture, to care about someone other than ourselves—all taught by a beloved, intelligent and heroic dog. The voice and the art are authentically Japanese, though the heart of the book and its meanings cross all cultures. This book is for all ages. I love it.”—Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Award-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall
“This will be popular with dog lovers; consider having a packet of tissues on hand.”—Booklist