{"title":"Waka T. Brown","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore the captivating collection of works by Waka T. Brown, a celebrated author in children's literature. Known for her engaging storytelling and unique perspectives, Waka T. Brown provides readers with profound insights into cultural experiences and personal growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of her notable works, \u003cem\u003eWhile I Was Away\u003c\/em\u003e, is a touching memoir that takes readers on a journey through her childhood spent between Japan and the United States. It beautifully captures the complexities of identity and belonging, making it a relatable read for young audiences navigating their own paths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnother significant book, \u003cem\u003ePerfect\u003c\/em\u003e, delves into the pressures of academic excellence and the pursuit of perfection during adolescence. Brown skilfully balances realistic scenarios with heart-warming messages, encouraging young readers to find comfort in their authentic selves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWaka T. Brown's books are perfect for children and young adults, offering not only entertainment but also valuable life lessons through endearing narratives. Her works are an excellent choice for those looking to enrich their reading journey with stories of cultural insight and personal discovery.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"while-i-was-away-by-waka-t-brown-9780063017122","title":"While I Was Away","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNamed one of New York Public Library's \u0026amp; Bank Street's Best Books of the Year!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Farewell\u003c\/em\u003e meets Erin Entrada Kelly's \u003cem\u003eBlackbird Fly\u003c\/em\u003e in this empowering middle grade memoir from debut author Waka T. Brown, who takes readers on a journey to 1980s Japan, where she was sent as a child to reconnect with her family’s roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen twelve-year-old Waka’s parents suspect she can’t understand the basic Japanese they speak to her, they make a drastic decision to send her to Tokyo to live for several months with her strict grandmother. Forced to say goodbye to her friends and what would have been her summer vacation, Waka is plucked from her straight-A-student life in rural Kansas and flown across the globe, where she faces the culture shock of a lifetime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn Japan, Waka struggles with reading and writing in \u003cem\u003ekanji\u003c\/em\u003e, doesn’t quite mesh with her complicated and distant Obaasama, and gets made fun of by the students in her Japanese public-school classes. Even though this is the country her parents came from, Waka has never felt more like an outsider.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf she’s always been the “smart Japanese girl” in America but is now the “dumb foreigner” in Japan, where is home...and who will Waka be when she finds it?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46518347890924,"sku":"9780063017122","price":16.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/11375323482210.jpg?v=1748955530"},{"product_id":"perfect-by-waka-t-brown-9780063280229","title":"Perfect","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor Waka T. Brown and artist Yuko Jones join forces for this picture book about a young girl who learns to appreciate life’s imperfections when her grandmother teaches her about the Japanese art form kintsugi.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMiki Amelia Masuda liked everything in her life to be perfect. Her room was immaculately clean. She only ate round cookies, not the broken ones. And if a stuffed animal had a tear in it, she couldn't bear to look at it. So when she accidentally drops and breaks her favourite teacup, she’s devastated. How can a broken teacup ever be perfect again?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDays later, Miki's grandmother, Obaachan, presents Miki with the fixed teacup. But it’s not perfect! Each crack is highlighted by a gold streak of paint — almost as if to \u003cem\u003eshow off\u003c\/em\u003e the imperfections!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat follows is one girl’s journey to understanding that life isn’t always perfect. Through the art of kintsugi, Waka and Yuko show readers — and Miki — that rips, cracks, and tears have their own stories to tell, ones that are meaningful in their own way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46995926515948,"sku":"9780063280229","price":55.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780063280229.jpg?v=1763121252"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/waka-t-brown.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}