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Erika-San

(2009, Fiction - Picture Book, Written by Allen Say, Illustrated by Allen Say)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 4.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    The simple beauty of home and a girl's dream of finding it.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 4 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    All characters are kind and helpful, and they help the young girl follow her dream.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Erika-San

Parents need to know that this touching story with sensitive watercolors and a soft sense of home was created by Allen Say, who won the 1994 Caldecott for his book My Grandfather's Journey. Say has written and illustrated many award-winning books, and is well-known for the strength and power of his artistry.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Japan, find it on a map, and discuss what kind of place it might be. Then they might want to talk about the painting and how much it meant to the young girl. What do you think she saw in the watercolor that made her so sure she wanted to find "Old Japan." Why was she not satisfied when she got to Tokyo, and to the other town with its football stadium crowd? What was she searching for that she finally found in the teahouse?
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